Negotiations for Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith called
The World Boxing Council has ordered WBC light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev, to make his mandatory defence against Liverpool's Callum Smith.
Negotiations should start as soon as possible and the teams of both fighters must reach an agreement before April 11, otherwise a purse bid will be held.
In his most recent bout, Russian powerhouse Beterbiev knocked out Briton Anthony Yarde in eight-rounds of an instant Fight of the Year candidate, while 'Mundo' Smith comes from knocking out Frenchman Mathieu Bauderlique in the fourth round of a WBC elimination bout.
38-year-old Beterbiev (19-0, 19KO) is known – and feared – for being the only world champion to be undefeated with all wins coming by knockout. Based in Canada, the fearsome Russian has already defeated two Brits – Callum Johnson and Anthony Yarde. However, Smith will take confidence knowing that Johnson scored a knockdown in their 2018 bout, which came from a short but potent left hook, which left Beterbiev on shaky legs for a few seconds after; and Yarde also hurt the WBC, IBF and WBO unified champion more than once during their Wembley Arena thriller in January to highlight his vulnerability.
But as an amateur with 295 wins and World and European Championship golds, the powerful puncher is always able to recover after just a few short moments of cleverly getting on his bike until the cloud clears, which seemingly only takes a matter of seconds to happen.
BoxRec lists WBO champ Dmitry Bivol as #1, Beterbiev as #2, and Smith as #3. Fans were calling for the undisputed clash between Bivol and Beterbiev but this should be the next best thing.
At 32, Smith (29-1, 21KO) is six years Artur's junior and will likely get the home advantage in England, should the negotiations be fruitful. Since defeat to Canelo in 2020, the former WBA World Champion has successfully moved up to 175lbs with a brace of wins over Lenin Castillo and European champ Mathieu Bauderlique, who were 42-4 between them.
After Yarde's spirited showing against Beterbiev, who is formidable but human, there is always a very good case for contenders to win against the KO King from Canada. Smith will provide another of these hopes, which should make for a great fight to book into the calendar for 2023, to take away the disappointment of the undisputed clash going up in smoke once more.
However, will Smith's previous two wins provide the preparation he needs for a machine like Beterbiev? Further intrigue and questions added to the mix…
Things you didn't know about Artur Beterbiev
WBC Top 10 Light-heavyweight Champions
Article sponsored by HÖRFA
