QUEBEC | Artur Beterbiev thrilled a record crowd of 10,031 spectators at the Videotron Center on Saturday evening by convincingly retaining his unified WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles.
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Methodically, Beterbiev (20-0-0, 20 KOs) manhandled the Englishman Callum Smith (29-2-1, 21 KOs) and, as the president of the ‘Eye of the Tiger Management and co-promoter of the gala, Camille Estephan, it was in the seventh round that he defeated his opponent.
Beterbiev opened the machine when he felt Smith weakening. In the cables, the Englishman was unable to defend himself and after suffering a barrage of blows, he found himself on the ground for the first time.
He got up and Beterbiev jumped on him like a wild beast and continued to machine gun him until he returned to the mat. Smith’s trainer, Buddy McGirt, then did not hesitate to throw in the towel to end the fight two minutes into the seventh round.
In control
Beterbiev’s fights last an average of four rounds. This time, we relied on patience, explained coach Marc Ramsay.
“We had to be very orderly knowing the power of Smith. You had to use up as much of your energy as possible before finishing the job.”
“I saw a guy who controlled his emotions and I think he reached another level.”
Beterbiev, too, was not counting on a quick finish and believes that despite the outcome, Smith defended himself well.
“I never expect anything, I always prepare for 12 rounds. He gave me a good fight.”
Callum Smith went to the mat twice in the seventh round.
Courtesy Eye of the Tiger Management/Vincent Ethier
Big Party
This flawless performance from Beterbiev, who turns 39 next week, was the highlight of a very exciting boxing card that unfolded like a crescendo.
The vast majority of the fights were captivating, the fans arrived and the atmosphere was great.
As mentioned, the crowd of 10,031 spectators represents a new record for a boxing gala presented at the Videotron Center.
The previous mark dates back to 2015 when 8,624 people attended the clash between Lucian Bute and James DeGale.
Mbilli convincing
Christian Mbilli (26-0-0, 22 KOs) warmed up the room for Beterbiev with a flawless performance against the Australian Rohan Murdock (27-3-0, 19 KOs), who simply gave up after the sixth round.
He thus retained his WBC Continental Americas super middleweight title in addition to stealing the WBA International belt from Murdock.
Mbilli began his demolition work from the first engagement by jumping on his opponent who immediately had difficulty containing the rapid attacks of the Franco-Canadian.
From the second round, Mbilli unleashed bursts of blows on Murdock, who was trying as best he could to resist.
Mbilli’s right hook continually hit the target, with Murdock even going so far as to spit his mouthguard into the crowd in the fourth round to get some breathing space.
Mbilli never slowed the pace and Murdock bought himself time with his steel chin. He deserves all our respect for remaining standing throughout the shooting.
Mbilli ranks first in the WBC and WBA. He is third in the IBF rankings and fifth in the WBO. His rating will only go up after such a clear performance.
Christian Mbilli
Courtesy Eye of the Tiger Management/Vincent Ethier
In the teeth
If Mbilli entered the ring with the knife between his teeth, it was because Murdock had provided him with motivation.
“I wanted to correct the comments he made before the fight, he said he was going to give me a boxing lesson, I think it was the opposite.”
He also knew that his opponent was exhausting his last reserves before the confrontation was interrupted.
“In the last round, I was speeding up at the end, but honestly, I told myself I was going to finish him in the next round. Unfortunately, his corner ended the fight before the end.”
And despite such a performance, Mbilli was not entirely satisfied.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m happy, I could have done better, I’m still satisfied, I was given some instructions that I had a little difficulty implementing.”
Jason Moloney
Courtesy Eye of the Tiger Management/Vincent Ethier
Furious fight
In the first fight of the main card, Jason Moloney (27-2-0, 19 KOs) and Saul Sanchez (20-2-0, 12 KOs) put on quite a show for the fans who followed until the end, especially during the 11e and 12e engagements, particularly furious with a rain of blows from each side.
Moloney, an Australian, retained his WBO bantamweight world title with a split decision (114-114, 116-112, 116-112).
Sanchez, an American, gave a very good fight and the crowd booed when the result was announced.
Moloney, who was defending his title for the first time, had a cold. By the third round, he was cut on the right eyebrow. He had to draw on his last limits to gain the upper hand over the Californian.