Quebec, Canada - For the WBC, WBO, IBF light heavyweight titles, Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) continued the knockout train with a stoppage of Callum Smith (29-2, 21 KOs) in seven rounds. (photos by Mikey Williams, EOTTM)
In the first, Beterbiev came out right of the gate with letting his heavy hands go on Smith. Smith was able to weather the storm and began to create distance with the jab. Beterbiev was also jabbing to work his way in. Smith rallied with some shots, before Beterbiev came back with his own punches.
The second saw close action with both boxers picking their spots. In the third, heavy punches exchanged when they were close. Beterbiev was digging well to the head and body. The jab of Beterbiev was doing damage as well. The nose of Smith was bleeding and his right eye was swelling up.
In the fourth, Smith was turning up the temp to fight fire with fire against Beterbiev. At one moment Beterbiev was pounding Smith with heavy punches. Smith was able to weather the storm and came firing back. The fifth saw the pace slow down a bit. Beterbiev was connecting with short, hard punches and jabs.
During the sixth, Beterbiev was connecting with more big punches to the head of Smith, who often was going to the body. During exchanges there were connects by both. The seventh round saw a variety of big punches put Smith down for the first time in his career. Another barrage of punches saw Smith go down for a second time and the fight was waved off when trainer Buddy McGirt entered the ring to stop the contest.
