Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Results as champion drops and stops Briton in round seven
Follow the fallout after Artur Beterbiev retained the unified light-heavyweight titles against Callum Smith
Artur Beterbiev retained the unified light-heavyweight titles with a brutal finish of Callum Smith on Saturday night, setting up a tantalising clash with Dmity Bivol.
Smith had his moments and took on his corner’s advice to target the body of Beterbiev, but the champion remained unfazed, built momentum across six rounds, and turned up the pressure in round seven.
In that frame, the Russian overwhelmed Smith against the ropes, producing an onslaught that saw him hurt the Briton with numerous right hands. Eventually Smith lolloped to the canvas after a left, and though he was able to beat the referee’s count, he was soon put down again as Beterbiev maintained his barrage.
Once more, Smith rose to his feet, but the Liverpudlian’s trainer Buddy McGirt entered the ring to call an end to the contest, sparing his fighter further punishment. Beterbiev, 38, sunk to his knees in emotion, as he celebrated retaining the WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight titles. The result also improved the veteran’s record to 20-0 with 20 knockouts, and it sets up an intriguing bout with WBA champion Bivol.
Re-live updates from Beterbiev vs Smith and the undercard fights, below.
Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: All over in round seven
Here is our main-event report in full:
Artur Beterbiev crumples Callum Smith to set up tantalising clash with Dmitry Bivol
Beterbiev dropped and stopped the Liverpudlian in round seven to retain the unified light-heavyweight titles
Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Scorecards revealed
You could give every round to Beterbiev, but there’s definitely an argument that Smith won a couple. Not that it mattered in the end, of course...
Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Briton reacts to brutal loss
Callum Smith: “I’m gonna spend some time with my family and see what the future holds. I don’t know, I’ve had a good career, been a world champion, been top of the mountain. I’ve given a lot to boxing over the years.
“I need to sit down and assess what goals I still want to achieve. I wanted to be a two-division world champion, but I’ve come up short tonight. It’s hard to accept that I’m not the best in the world.
“I’ll have to sit and assess what the future holds.”
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