Unified light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev will put his WBC/WBO/IBF titles on the line against Callum Smith on Aug 19th, 2023, live on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
The pair will square off at the Videotron Centre, Québec City, Canada, as Beterbiev aims to continue his 100 percent knockout rate as he revisits the country where he has lived since going professional.
Beterbiev has had seven title defenses since picking up the IBF title against Enrico Koelling. Further wins over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Joe Smith Jr. added the WBC and WBO titles, respectively.
The impressive form continued as he stopped Anthony Yarde in his own backyard during his last fight. Standing in his way now is Callum Smith.
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The ex-WBA super middleweight world champion lost his belt in a bout against Canelo Alvarez, as he failed to unify the division.
Thereafter, he moved up to light heavyweight as his form improved. Knockout wins over Gilbert Castillo Rivera and Mathieu Bauderlique have now given him that title shot that he has been chasing.
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“Québec is my second home, so I’m very happy to finally defend my titles on home turf. When you are world champion, everyone wants the opportunity to take your belt, and that’s especially true in my case, with three titles at stake.
“I’ve already started my training camp, and I’ll be ready to not only defend my belts, but to also put on an impressive show August 19,” Beterbiev
“I’m excited to finally get my opportunity to become a two-weight world champion. I’m no stranger to fighting on away soil, having boxed in Saudi Arabia twice, across America, and now heading to Canada on August 19.
“There was no hesitation from me going to Canada to fight Artur Beterbiev, and I will be returning to Liverpool as a world champion once more,” Smith