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: Start time and ring walks
Tonight’s event takes place at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada.
Coverage is due to begin at 1am GMT on Sunday 14 January (6pm PT, 8pm CT, 9pm ET on Saturday).
No time has yet been announced for the main-event ring walks, but we’re estimating around 3.30am GMT on Sunday (8.30pm PT, 10.30pm CT, 11.30pm ET on Saturday).
What time does Beterbiev vs Smith start tonight?
Artur Beterbiev defends the unified light-heavyweight titles against Liverpool’s Callum Smith
Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Champion cleared to fight after atypical drug-test finding
It was revealed on Thursday (11 January) that Beterbiev had returned an atypical result in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) test in December. However, the unified light-heavyweight champion has since tested negative and been cleared to compete.
Smith’s promoter Eddie Hearn said there was never a contractual reason to cancel the fight, because Beterbiev’s result was atypical rather than ‘adverse’, while journalist Kevin Iole reported: “An atypical finding is not a violation and requires more testing, and Beterbiev underwent those examinations at Vada’s request. Vada reported negative results from the follow-up tests, from urine tests on Dec 15 and Dec 21 and from blood tests on Dec 21 and Jan 3.
“Beterbiev had received atypical findings for human growth hormone (HGH) and 5D-androstanediol. Both occur naturally in the body. When an atypical finding is received, further testing is required to determine if an athlete naturally produces the substance in his or her body at a greater level than average or if the elevated levels were signs of anti-doping.”
Read the article below to hear what Beterbiev, Smith and Vada had to say about the situation:
Artur Beterbiev cleared to fight after returning ‘atypical’ drug-test result
The result is not the same as an ‘adverse’ finding, which might have threatened the champion’s bout with Smith
Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE
Artur Beterbiev defends his unified light-heavyweight titles against Callum Smith tonight, as the pair clash in Quebec City.
Beterbiev has a stunning record of 19-0 with 19 knockouts, while Smith’s sole pro loss came against Saul “Canelo Alvarez” in 2020. It was revealed this week that Russian Beterbiev, who fights out of Canada, has signed to fight compatriot Dmitry Bivol in Saudi Arabia this year, but that unification bout is dependent on the 38-year-old beating Smith tonight.
Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) is a former super-middleweight world champion, and the Liverpudlian’s power has carried since he moved up in weight in 2021. This evening, the 33-year-old will test that power against one of the hardest hitters in boxing.
The bout is going ahead after this week’s revelation that Beterbiev returned an ‘atypical’ drug-test result in December, with the Russian having since been cleared to fight after testing negative. Had Beterbiev returned an ‘adverse’ test result, the fight might have been under threat. Per a report by Kevin Iole: “Beterbiev had received atypical findings for human growth hormone (HGH) and 5D-androstanediol. Both occur naturally in the body.”
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