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Artur Beterbiev showcased his concussive power as he defeated the durable challenger Callum Smith in a high-stakes battle for the light heavyweight titles. The ruthless Russian knockout artist delivered a dominant performance at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada, overwhelming Smith with his aggressive style and heavy-handed blows.
Beterbiev, known for his relentless pursuit of victory, dropped Smith twice during the seventh round, demonstrating his superiority in the ring. As the fight reached a critical juncture, Smith's trainer, Buddy McGirt, made the tough decision to stop the contest, conceding victory to Beterbiev. The official stoppage occurred exactly two minutes into the seventh round, with Beterbiev emerging victorious and retaining his IBF, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight titles.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Beterbiev, who maintained his perfect professional record of 20 wins, all by knockout. He also made history by becoming the first fighter to knock out Smith, a formidable opponent with a record of 29 wins and 2 losses, including 21 knockouts. Beterbiev's triumph denied Smith the opportunity to secure a world championship in a second weight division, a goal that had eluded the former WBA super middleweight title-holder.
In his post-fight interview with ESPN's Bernardo Osuna, Beterbiev expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, acknowledging Smith's resilience while emphasizing the role of strategy and luck in securing victory. Looking ahead, Beterbiev revealed his desire to face WBA champion Dmitry Bivol in a highly anticipated showdown, aiming to unify the light heavyweight division and become the undisputed champion.
For Smith, the defeat came after a valiant effort, with his only previous loss being a decision to the undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez, in December 2020. Despite showing glimpses of his skill and determination, Smith struggled to withstand Beterbiev's relentless assault, ultimately succumbing to the Russian's overwhelming power.
The fight showcased Beterbiev's dominance in the light heavyweight division, cementing his status as one of the sport's most formidable champions.