Artur Beterbiev's story is shocking. The Russian-naturalized Canadian reached this Saturday the incredible record of 20 knockouts in 20 fights after knocking out the British Callum Smith in the seventh round of the confrontation that both had at the Centre Videotron in Quebec, Canada, where the fighter born in Khasavyurt, in the Republic of Dagestan (one of the 22 that make up the Russian Federation) retained the titles of the World Boxing Council light heavyweight division. the International Boxing Federation and the World Boxing Organization.
This is an exclusive record among active title boxers. But Beterbiev didn't have it easy. After two even first rounds, the light heavyweight champion of the Council, the Organization and the International Federation left the feeling that the fight would be resolved before the limit like his previous 19.
Beterbiev, 38, carried out a demolition task from the third chapter onwards based on the power of his fists, which progressively hit an increasingly affected Smith.
Beterbiev retained all three of his belts. (AFP)
The Englishman, who had two wins in the category after losing to Mexican Saul Canelo Alvarez at his natural weight - super middleweight - in December 2020, could only impose his long-distance fight strategy in the second round.
That segment was the only one he won by a minimal difference, supported by his better arm reach, but in the next he felt the hands of the champion and began to take shape in his second defeat on a rented field.
He didn't make it to the seventh in good condition and Beterbiev took advantage of it decisively by applying a right hand to the skull that made him listen to the count with one knee on the canvas of the ring.
Smith (29-2-0, 21 KOs) stood up, Canadian referee Michael Griffin allowed him to continue, but fell again to the furious onslaught of the knockout, prompting the Briton's team to call for the end of the fight.
Beterbiev had last fought almost a year ago, on January 28, 2023, when he beat Englishman Anthony Yarde by KOT8 at Wembley Arena. Saturday's was his third defense of the triple crown of the 175-pound division.
Beterbiev vs Bivol, when can the fight of the year take place?
Dmitry Bivol, WBA and IBO champion. (Image: EFE)
After the win, Beterbiev challenged Russian Dmitry Bivol, holder of the WBA and IBO titles in the light heavyweight division. "I want another belt," he announced to the cheers of the crowd in Quebec.
The one who referred to the fight between Beterbiev and Bivol was none other than the Canadian's promoter, the legendary Bob Arum. "No, it's not done yet, but we definitely want to do it," he announced. And he said Saudi Arabia would be the venue for the stellar showdown between the two Russians as Sheikh Turki Al-Sheikh, one of the oil-producing country's main organizers of sporting events, is very interested in hosting the contest.
Arum added: "I will speak to my friend, His Excellency, Turki Al-Sheikh. I know he wants to do it, but we're close to Ramadan," he said.
Beterbiev, who turns 39 on Jan. 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," Arum added. So the fight between Beterbiev and Bivol could be scheduled for July.