Promoter Yvon Michel announced at a press event in Montreal that IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (13-0, 13 KOs) will defend his belt in December against Joe Smith Jr (24-2, 20 KOs). Possible dates are December 15 or 22 at Madison Square Garden (on the Canelo-Fielding undercard) or in Atlantic City. DAZN will televise the bout.

Michel also stated that it’s looking like the February 2 rematch between WBO light heavyweight champion Eleider Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev will probably land in Frisco, Texas.