Boxing: How Beterbiev’s formidable knockout over Callum was and when he will be able to fight Bivol

About what Artur Beterbiev It’s shocking. This Saturday the naturalized Russian Canadian achieved the incredible record of 20 knockouts in 20 fights after eliminating the English Callum Smith in the seventh round of the confrontation that both had at the Videotron Center in Quebec, Canada, where the boxer born in Khasavyurt, in the Republic of Dagestan (one of the 22 that make up the Russian Federation) retained the middle division heavyweight titles of the World Boxing Council, the International Boxing Federation and the World Boxing Organization.

This is an exclusive record among active boxers. But Beterbiev didn’t have an easy life. After two even first rounds, the Council, Organization and International Federation light heavyweight champion left feeling the fight would be resolved before the limit like his previous 19.

Beterbiev, 38, has been on demolition duty since the third chapter relying on the power of his punches, which progressively landed on an increasingly battered Smith.

The Englishman, who achieved two victories in the category after losing to a Mexican Saulo Canelo Alvarez at his natural weight – super middleweight – in December 2020, he managed to impose his distance fighting strategy only in the second round.

That segment was the only one he won by the narrowest of margins, supported by his better arm reach, but in the next one he felt the champion’s hands and his second defeat on a rented court began to take shape.

He didn’t arrive in good condition on seventh and Beterbiev decisively took advantage of this by applying his right hand to the skull which made him listen to the count with one knee on the ring canvas.

Smith (29-2-0, 21 KOs.) got up, Canadian referee Michael Griffin allowed him to continue, but he fell again before the furious knockout attack, which led the British team to call for an end of the meeting. combat.

Beterbiev had last fought almost a year ago, on January 28, 2023, when he beat England’s Anthony Yarde by TKO8 at Wembley Arena. This Saturday was his third defense of the 175-pound division triple crown.

Beterbiev vs Bivol, when the clash of the year can take place

After the victory, Beterbiev challenged Russian Dmitry Bivol, holder of the WBA and IBO titles in the light heavyweight division. “I want another belt,” he announced at the public celebration in Quebec.

The person referring to the fight between Beterbiev and Bivol was none other than the Canadian’s promoter, the legendary Bob Arum. “No, it’s not finished yet, but we definitely want to do it.”, announcement. And he announced that from then on Saudi Arabia will be the site of the star clash between the two Russians Sheikh Turki Al-Sheikhone of the main organizers of sporting events in the oil-producing country, is very interested in hosting the competition.

Arum added: “I will speak with my friend, His Excellency, Turki Al-Sheikh. “I know you want to do it, but we’re close to Ramadan”the promoter said.

Beterbiev, who turns 39 on January 21, is a devout Muslim and will observe the month of fasting required by Ramadan, which this year will be between March 10 and April 8. “So three months after the end of Ramadan we will be ready to fight Bivol, probably in Riyadh”– added Arum. So the fight between Beterbiev and Bivol could be agreed for July.