WBC/WBO/IBF light heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev now has a date to defend his crown. After recent dental surgery forced Beterbiev to postpone his Aug. 19 title defense against former world champion Callum Smith, the two will now meet Saturday, Jan. 13 at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
Promoted by Eye of the Tiger and Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets are on sale now via www.ticketmaster.ca.
“It’s a few months later than originally planned, but I am thrilled that Artur Beterbiev will have a chance to defend his titles in front of the incredible Quebec City fans,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Artur has a clean bill of health, and I know Callum, a supremely talented former champion, will be at his best on January 13th.”
“I’m very pleased that the camps came to an agreement quickly, so we can go ahead with this light heavyweight championship super fight,” said Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan. “It’s going to heat up this January in Quebec City.”
Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs), boxing’s only current world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, has made seven title defenses since capturing the IBF strap in November 2017. He is coming off January’s stirring eighth-round TKO over Anthony Yarde in Yarde’s hometown of London. Smith (29-1, 21 KOs), from Liverpool, England, is the former Ring Magazine and WBA super middleweight world champion. He has won two fights since moving up to light heavyweight following a decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez in December 2020.
The ticket holders have the option to either keep the tickets they purchased and retain the previously selected seats, or get a refund. The refund option will be available via the Ticketmaster account of the person who purchased the tickets. In the case of a ticket transfer, the original purchaser will have to proceed with the refund request. Any refund requests made after this deadline will be denied. For any questions, contact the ticket office at Centre Vidéotron.
Beterbiev-Smith Championship Clash Rescheduled For Jan. 13 In Quebec City
Comments
SuperbeeSat Aug 19, 2023, 5:40 PM UTC
Age is going to catch up with Artur at some point soon. He’s nearing 40.
Smith is much better than Yarde he might do something here.
We've been hearing that since what, 5 years now ? And here he is still destroying everything thrown at him ... Not ready for retirement yet ... :cool:
landotterWed Aug 9, 2023, 2:05 AM UTC
Age is going to catch up with Artur at some point soon. He’s nearing 40.
Smith is much better than Yarde he might do something here.
I disagree with Smith being better than Yarde... but you are 100% correct. Artur has been dodging bullets Matrix style for half of his career and always comes back to demolish an opponent. No matter how much he is made of chiseled granite, there is a point even rock gives in after so many hits. He looked like his reflexes were a little off against Yarde. I feel inactivity is an aged fighters death kneel, and it will have been a year since he was last in the ring.
Hope he is 100%, but the man can only have so many fights left in him.
eco1Wed Aug 9, 2023, 12:56 AM UTC
I guess everyone heals at different rates, I agree though 5 months is a quick turn around.
Yeap , too quick and then he is going to get hit there. If it hasn't healed the way it should it could start going back little by little to it's original problem.
Kannabis_KidTue Aug 8, 2023, 11:48 PM UTC
When you have a periodontal issue it already compromises the bone in one way or another. 5 months Is quite fast for him to be back.
I remember cleaning periodontal abscesses at the University with saline water, arghhh, o hated it.I guess everyone heals at different rates, I agree though 5 months is a quick turn around.
eco1Tue Aug 8, 2023, 11:21 PM UTC
What exactly was the issue though? Did he have a periodontal abscess that was spread to his bone?
People are upset and it's understandable but a jaw injury is no joke especially when that's where your opponent aims for.
When you have a periodontal issue it already compromises the bone in one way or another. 5 months Is quite fast for him to be back.
I remember cleaning periodontal abscesses at the University with saline water, arghhh, o hated it.