Joe Smith Jr Already Thinking Of Undisputed Fight Vs Dmitry Bivol

Joe Smith Jr is already looking forward to his next opponent – but it isn’t Artur Beterbiev.

Smith, the WBO light heavyweight champion, said he doesn’t want to go 12 rounds with Beterbiev, the IBF and WBC light heavyweight titleholder. If Smith can, he’s getting Beterbiev early on and will switch his focus to becoming the undisputed champion of the division.

“I don’t want to go 12 rounds; if I can get him out in two, three, four, whatever it may be, I’m going to do it,” Smith told DAZN.

“I still believe Bivol is the best light heavyweight right now, and I believe he will be until I get my rematch.”

Smith met Bivol in the ring in September 2019 where he failed to become the new WBA light heavyweight king.

Bivol defended his title against former pound-for-pound champion and current undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, who also failed to become the division’s new titleholder.

Alvarez has indicated that he wants a rematch – which was part of their contract – but the Mexican boxer has yet to officially trigger the clause.

Bivol, meanwhile, said he’s open to it, but is more interested in becoming an undisputed champion – a dream also shared by Smith.

Smith will attempt to take Beterbiev’s belts on June 18 at the Hulu Theater in New York, and if he’s successful, he knows his next stop.

“That’s what I want; I want to be undisputed,” Smith said.

“If we can make that fight happen sooner rather than later, I want to become undisputed as quickly as possible.”