The unification bout between the two Light Heavyweights was over before it began when Artur Beterbiev astonishingly stopped Joe Smith Jr. in the 2nd round of their bout.
Beterbiev (18-0), 37, still boasts a 100% KO record after beating Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KO’s), 32, by TKO. As a result of his victory, the Russian Canada-based champion claimed Smith’s WBO title for himself. Joe Smith Jr. had held onto the belt for around a year and 2 months before his loss to the Russian powerhitter.
Smith Jr. has been in the Light Heavyweight division since his debut in 2009, and despite facing an early career loss by his 7th match, he has become one of the few American fighters in recent history to make an impact in the division when he beat Maxim Vlasov by majority decision in April of 2021.
Beterbiev was noticeably more active with his feet during the bout, smartly managing to keep his distance throughout since the start while accurately counterpunching Smith who – typical to his boxing style – pressured Beterbiev as soon as the bell was rung. While Smith was looking to push Beterbiev into a corner, Beterbiev couldn’t be budged as he maintained a solid guard amidst the onslaughts of Smith Jr, while retaliating with his own swarm of punches that, on hindsight, may have caused more damage than initially suspected.
Near the end of the 1st round, Joe Smith Jr. slipped after a sudden barrage from Beterbiev. It was a moment that might have been the tipping point of the fight as at the very end of the round, Beterbiev managed to catch an incoming Smith with an unsuspecting right to the temple that forced the American on his knees.
The 2nd round became even more troubling for Smith as Beterbiev continued his excellent movement on his feet, and applied more head and body movement to avoid most of Smith’s offense. Around the middle of the fight, the two exchanged which Beterbiev won easily, eventually knocking Smith Jr. down for the 2nd time into the ropes. Disoriented, Smith attempts to pressure Beterbiev backfired as the latter counterpunched and attacked well. By the end of the round, Beterbiev was picking Smith apart with a variety of attacks and the WBO champion eventually succumbed when he stumbled after another barrage, forcing the referee to wave the fight off.
With the WBO mandatory Anthony Yarde in attendance for the fight, Beterbiev seemed more willing in an Undisputed fight with Dmitry Bivol, remarking that he’d “prefer to be Undisputed” in the post-match interview. Bivol (20-0, 11 KO’s) – also Russian – is the current WBA (Super) Light Heavyweight champion and comes off of a title fight held in May with the nr. 1 pound-for-pounder Canelo Álvarez who he beat decisively by unanimous decision.
Anthony Yarde is a proven contender, showing some promise despite his loss to Sergey Kovalev in 2019, and coming back recently to beat fellow Brit Lyndon Arthur by knockout last December after losing to him the previous year in December of 2020.
Regardless of who Beterbiev will face off in the future, he has certainly thrilled the boxing world with his performances and unprecedented KO streak, but at 37 years old he is short for time when it comes to securing his legacy, and an Undisputed fight with Bivol would unquestionably be billed as one of the most exciting and intriguing fights in recent history.
