Artur Beterbiev: record, next fight and profile →
As an undefeated champion, Callum Smith was convinced that he simply couldn’t be touched. It was hard to fault him for his line of thinking. At 168 pounds, Smith racked up big-time wins over George Groves and John Ryder. Canelo Alvarez, however, looked up at the towering belt holder and wanted his championship status.
Artur Beterbiev’s 92-year-old promoter understandably thinks that the unbeaten light heavyweight champion can continue competing at boxing’s elite level for several years.
By Keith Idec - Callum Smith’s lopsided points defeat to Canelo Alvarez in December 2020 remains the lone loss of the former WBA super middleweight champion’s career. Mexico’s Alvarez – a four-division champion and perhaps boxing’s best, pound-for-pound, at that time – won 11 of 12 rounds on two scorecards three years ago at Alamodome in San Antonio. Liverpool’s Smith lost by scores of 119-109 (Rafael Ramos), 119-109 (Steve Weisfeld) and 117-111 (Steve Morrow).
The World Boxing Council has issued their position with respect to the ongoing controversy surrounding the anti-doping tests performed on unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev - in connection with Saturday's mandatory defense against Callum Smith in Quebec, Canada.
The trainer of Artur Beterbiev has scoffed at what he feels are hypocritical comments from promoter Eddie Hearn. A minor controversy arose earlier this week when it was revealed that Beterbiev, the unified light heavyweight champion, had elevated levels of HGH and testosterone in his blood and urine from tests administered by Voluntary-Anti-Doping Association in mid-December.
Callum Smith assumes the judges’ scorecards won’t determine the outcome of his light heavyweight championship showdown with Artur Beterbiev on Saturday night.
Moloney, Sanchez Weights Photos Gallery - Beterbiev vs. Smith will be presented live this Saturday, January 13, at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT, on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ from Videotron Centre in Quebec, Canada. (photos by Mikey WIlliams, EOTTM)
Beterbiev, Smith Weights Photos Gallery - Beterbiev vs. Smith will be presented live this Saturday, January 13, at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT, on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ from Videotron Centre in Quebec, Canada. (photos by Mikey WIlliams, EOTTM)
Five months after it was postponed, Artur Beterbiev-Callum Smith became official Friday afternoon in Quebec City, Canada. The Russian-born, Montreal-based Beterbiev and Liverpool’s Smith both made weight for their 12-round, 175-pound championship clash Saturday night at Videotron Centre. Beterbiev officially weighed in at exactly 175 pounds, slightly more than Smith, who came in at 174.6 pounds.
By Keith Idec - Eddie Hearn didn’t accuse Artur Beterbiev of using performance-enhancing drugs Thursday. Callum Smith’s promoter made it perfectly clear, however, that his company, Matchroom Boxing, wants more information related to Voluntary Anti-Doping Association tests that revealed in mid-December that Beterbiev had elevated levels of HGH and testosterone in his blood and urine. Hearn discussed the results of Beterbiev’s December 6 tests, which were