By Ryan Burton
Light heavyweight contender Callum Johnson (17-0) was in Las Vegas this weekend to support Liam Smith who lost a hard fought decision to WBO super welterweight champion Jaime Munguia at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Smith was dropped in the sixth round but rose to his feet and withstood a lot of punishment to make it to the final bell.
"I thought he fought well. He took some big punches but kept going and landed some good punches of his own. Munguia was very strong but I thought the scores were wide," opined Johnson.
On October 6th Johnson will return to the ring against hard hitting IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (12-0) in Chicago. The fight will take place in Chicago at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
Beterbiev has won all of his fights by knockout and is known for his power. Johnson is a sizable underdog in the fight but he said that Beterbiev is in for a surprise because he also has power.
"Beterbiev is strong and a good fighter but the difference is I also have a big punch and I don't think he has fought anyone who hits like me. He will see on October 6th," Johnson told BoxingScene.com,
Beterbiev-Johnson will be streamed on DAZN as part of Eddie Hearn's new billion dollar venture with Perform Group's streaming service in the United States.
The card is slated to feature new Hearn signings and former world titleholders Jessie Vargas and Demetrius Andrade as well as world-rated heavyweight Jarrell Miller, in separate bouts. The card will also include WBA, IBF women’s lightweight champion Katie Taylor vs. Cindy Serrano.
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