Artur Beterbiev has won his bet. The Montreal-based Russian kept his IBF and WBC light heavyweight titles with a knockout. to the American Marcus Browne, Friday evening, at the Bell Center.
Beterbiev adds a victory to his immaculate 17-0-0 record, all by knockouts.
The Russian greeted the crowd in French moments after his victory.
“Hello everyone, thank you for being here,” he launched into the ring. Thank you for your support. ”
If Browne didn’t let himself be intimidated at the start of the fight, Beterbiev gradually found the loopholes in his defense. Executing a clear strategy to push the American around the corners, this is where the Russian throws most of his punches.
At 4e round, during a delicate moment which was reminiscent of the only defeat of the same Marcus Browne, against Jean Pascal in 2019, Artur Beterbiev suffered a heavy cut to the forehead. Blood was running profusely in the Russian’s face.
This injury was a game-changer in this fight.
In tow from the start, Marcus Browne sensed the opportunity. He upped his intensity a notch to take advantage of it.
But Beterbiev did the same. If the two boxers were stingy with blows at the very beginning of the fight, they gave their money to the supporters from the fifth round.
At the end of this engagement, Beterbiev saw red. His face bloodied, he pounded Browne with powerful strikes that all found the target. The Bell Center was standing.
The 6e round was like the previous one. After an avalanche of hits, we thought it was there for Browne at 7e. He put one knee on the ground.
Despite a good dose of courage, a swollen eye and a bloody face, Browne returned to the mat at 9e round and let referee Mike Griffin count to 10.
“It’s a first for me in my career,” Beterbiev told the crowd, referring to his cut to the forehead. You never know what can happen in boxing. ”
Adonis Stevenson honored
A little surprise awaited boxer Adonis Stevenson during this evening at the Bell Center.
The Boxing Writers Association presented him with the Bill Crawford John McCain Award for his courage in facing adversity.