(Quebec) Artur Beterbiev wanted to defend his three world titles in Quebec. Top Rank and Eye of the Tiger Management made his wish come true.
Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) will put his International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight belts on the line against the Liverpuldien Callum Smith (29-1, 21 K. -O.) on August 19, at the Videotron Center in Quebec.
Smith, whose only loss came at the hands of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, is Beterbiev’s mandatory opponent in the WBC. He is also ranked second in the WBO and third in the IBF. The Englishman will return to the ring for the first time since his victory by K. -O. against Mathieu Bauderlique, last August.
This will be the first fight for Beterbiev since his victory acquired by K. -O. against Anthony Yarde in England last January. Yarde was then leading on two of the judges’ three cards.
EOTTM promises a high card for the event. Simon Kean (32-1, 22 K. -O.) will pay the price for the semi-final against an opponent from the top 10 in the world. Christian Mbilli (24-0, 20 K. -O.), Leïla Beaudoin (9-1, 1 K. -O.), Clovis Drolet (13-1, 9 K. -O.), as well as the new protege of Eye of the Tiger Mehmet Nadir Unal (4-0, 4 K. -O.) will also be there. Their opponents will be revealed shortly.