Artur Beterbiev Set For Long-Awaited Showdown With Callum Smith In Light Heavyweight Title Bout

The former super middleweight champion Artur Beterbiev is getting ready for his postponed mandatory shot at the WBO, IBF, and WBC light heavyweight titles.

When Beterbiev, 38, from Russia had a terrible bone infection in his jaw, the fight that was originally set for last summer was rescheduled. On January 13th, Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith(29-1, 21KOs) from England will finally square off in Quebec City, Canada.

Unbeaten Beterbiev(19-0, 19KOs) remains an intimidating rival and the only current world champion with a perfect knockout ratio.

Many people focus on Beterbiev's,  lack of activity, but Smith, 33, has actually been less busy than the champion in recent years. Since his only loss of the career—a decision loss to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in a 168-pound unification bout back in 2020—he has only made two appearances. After the defeat, he turned pro and defeated Mathieu Bauderlique and Gilbert Castillo Rivera at light heavyweight.

“It’s an exciting fight. It’s exactly what I’m in boxing for, to win world titles. I get to win three if I win this fight. It’s a huge fight for me but it’s a fight I’ve always liked. I’ve known of Artur Beterbiev for a long time. I know his style and I feel it matches up pretty well with mine. I think from a neutral view it’s a pretty exciting fight but I’m fully confident of going out there, coming out on top and taking his belts off hi,” said Smith in media reports.

“People make out he’s this beast. Part of him is, 19 fights with 19 knockouts. He’s got a great record and his achievements speak for themselves but he has been hurt twice and he does get hit quite a bit,” he added.  

“He’s not an elusive, hard to hit fighter. I do see ways in which I believe I can win. If somebody’s there for me to hit, I definitely believe I can hurt them and when I’ve seen other fighters hurt them, I definitely believe I can do the same. I’m going over there with the full belief that if I catch him, I hurt him and if I hurt him I believe I can get rid of him,” he continued.