Artur Beterbiev's perfect knockout streak remained intact as he retained his IBF, WBC and WBO light heavyweight titles with a seventh-round TKO of former super middleweight champion Callum Smith at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City.
It was a perfect performance from Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) that all but secures that an undisputed light heavyweight showdown with WBA champion Dmitry Bivol will take place in 2024.
"I need a fourth belt," Beterbiev said. The champion's promoter, Bob Arum, stated that they would look for the fight to take place in Saudi Arabia sometime in the middle of the year.
Beterbiev powered through Smith for the duration of the fight with a piston-like jab and thudding power shots. Smith (29-2) had never been knocked down, much less knocked out, throughout his pro and amateur career. That all changed when he tasted the power of Beterbiev.
The difference in power was evident early as Beterbiev constantly moved Smith back with his jab and short shots. The Brit attempted to battle back but his face began to fall apart from the power of Beterbiev in round three.
The fight was originally slated for August 19 but Beterbiev was forced out of the fight due to jaw infection from dental surgery. As the first major bout of 2024 with a lot on the line as a potential undisputed light heavyweight showdown with WBA champion Dmitry Bivol looms large, Beterbiev did his part to secure his end of the fight.
Smith attempted to rally but Beterbiev systematically broke him down as each round was worse than the previous one. The jab pierced Smith's defense and routinely set up the power shots for Beterbiev. With his face showing some terrible swelling, Smith got desperate and ran into a blistering right hand in the seventh round. The shot put Smith on skates as Beterbiev bounced his gloves off the head and body of the Brit until he hit the canvas for the first time in his career.
The end was elementary as Smith's heart brought him back to his feet but his body refused to comply. Beterbiev barrelled forward with another vicious salvo of punches that crumpled Smith to the mat. The referee administered the count but Smith's trainer Buddy McGirt climbed into the ring to rescue his fighter from further damage.
Here are the full results from the card in Canada.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith fight card
- Artur Beterbiev def. Callum Smith via 7th round TKO (2:00) to retain the IBF, WBC, WBO light heavyweight titles
- Jason Moloney def. Saul Sanchez via majority decision (116-112, 116-112 & 114-114) to retain for the WBO bantamweight title
- Christian Mbilli def. Rohan Murdock via 6th round TKO (3:00)