Unified WBC/WBO/IBF light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) will defend his belts against WBC #1 contender Callum “Mundo” Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday, August 19 at Videotron Centre in Québec City, Canada. The bout will air live on ESPN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Artur Beterbiev: “Québec is my second home, so I’m very happy to finally defend my titles on home turf. When you are world champion, everyone wants the opportunity to take your belt, and that’s especially true in my case, with three titles at stake. I’ve already started my training camp, and I’ll be ready to not only defend my belts, but to also put on an impressive show August 19.”
Callum Smith: “I’m excited to finally get my opportunity to become a two-weight world champion. I’m no stranger to fighting on away soil, having boxed in Saudi Arabia twice, across America, and now heading to Canada on August 19. There was no hesitation from me going to Canada to fight Artur Beterbiev, and I will be returning to Liverpool as a world champion once more.”
The full card for the Beterbiev-Smith event, which will also feature undefeated super middleweight Christian Mbilli (24-0, 20 KOs) and heavyweight puncher Simon Kean (23-1, 22 KOs), will be announced shortly.
Talk about “Home Cooking”……..
Despite being a unified champion, Beterbiev fought his last two fights in his opponent’s backyard, so I think he’s due a ‘home game’. Smith is a really good fighter and I definitely think he gives Beterbiev some problems, but I can’t trust him after the Canelo fight. I think Beterbiev stops him late.
I agree, matter of time during the fight Beterbiev will stalk and chop Smith down. Smith does not have the horsepower in his arsenal to keep Beterbiev at bay and respect him. Beterbiev’s unrelenting style of moving forward in a fight will keep Smith’s back on the ropes only to be a target for Beterbiev’s right hand counters. Beterbiev TKO.
This is definitely an easy night for beterbiev
not the fight the fans want to see. but not terrible
Easy work, for Beterbiev. Benavidez should be ambitious and forget chasing a “payday” against Canelo and challenge Beterbiev or Bivol at 175lbs, since he’s a lightheavyweight anyway.
Smith will get knocked out just like the other 19 guys Bertebiev has faced so far. I just want to see him against Bivol before it’s too late.
If Bivol fights Canelo in September, maybe the winners of both fights can fight. Still hoping Canelo fights Benavidez instead.
This should be an easy fight for beterbiev. He always comes well prepared and in hard core shape. I think he stops him early third or fourth.
The insane way Beterbiev trains will surely ends this fight by KO and tally a 20W & 20KOs
The Chechen will annihilate Smith just like he did to the 19 other victims.
Beterbiev by brutal ko..