Artur Beterbiev, Joe Smith Jr To Meet In Unification Fight At Hulu Theater

The fights for the summer continue to stack up.

IBF and WBC light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev will meet WBO champion Joe Smith Jr on June 18 at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden.

Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs), who according to The Ring has a 100% knockout rate, has been a world titleholder ever since knocking out Enrico Koelling for the IBF belt in November 2017. He’s won five title fights since then.

“This fight will get me one step closer to becoming undisputed champion,” he said.

Smith (28-3, 22 KOs) won the vacant WBO light heavyweight strap when he outlasted Maxim Vlasov and took home the chip by majority decision. He successfully defended the belt in January with a ninth-round stoppage over late replacement Steve Geffrard.

“It is going to be a fight that fans remember forever, with two of the biggest punches in boxing today facing off. This opportunity is a dream of mine to accomplish. Fighting with three titles on the line is one step closer to becoming undisputed,” Smith said.

The co-main event will feature Robeisy Ramirez and Abraham Nova. It will be broadcasted on ESPN and ESPN+.