Artur Beterbiev vs. Joe Smith | ESPN - June 18, 2022

[DA1]

It was a pleasant surprise to me that they went ahead and scheduled this. I was complaining a few months ago that Beterbiev would end the year with only one fight, when the last one was scheduled for October. Glad he's staying active.

Hopefully he fights Karo Murat or Dmitry Bivol next year and unifies.

Beterbiev vs Murat in Germany or UK would be big.

[Ruthless-RKO]

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Artur Beterbiev has reportedly decided not to defend his IBF light heavyweight title against Joe Smith Jr. on the undercard of Saul Canelo Alvarez vs. Rocky Fielding on December 15. Instead of fighting Smith (24-2, 20 KOs) on the Canelo-Fielding card in December, Beterbiev (13-0, 13 KOs) will fight him in early 2019, according to Le Journal de Montreal.

This is bad news for Matchroom Boxing USA promoter Eddie Hearn, as well as for Golden Boy Promotions. Having Beterbiev on the card against Joe Smith would have added to the card. Beterbiev is a great talent. The casual boxing fans still don’t know who Beterbiev is, but the hardcore fans are familiar with him and enjoy seeing him fight.

Beterbiev, 33, is coming off of a hard fought 4th round knockout victory over Callum Johnson (17-1, 12 KOs) on October 6. Beterbiev wanted more time to prepare for the power punching Smith Jr. Getting back into the ring so soon after the Johnson fight was too soon for Beterbiev.

[brilo33]

I still think why are betbevi people are having fights with the same kind of fighters . Shoot out fighters in my eyes betbevi will never be in top 5 of that divsion. I like joe but is he better then jonhson I don't know one thing is for sure if Joe gets betbevi down he will try to finish him
I think Joe could get caught out up close with a upper or hook

[filibert]

It seems (according to local newspaper) that Artur has refused to box in december claiming it was too short for him to be prepared and would rather fight in early 2019.

This should be confirmed very soon, but I hope he changes his mind and fight on dec 15th.

http://www.tvasports.ca/2018/11/02/bete ... decembre-1

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It seems (according to local newspaper) that Artur has refused to box in december claiming it was too short for him to be prepared and would rather fight in early 2019.

This should be confirmed very soon, but I hope he changes his mind and fight on dec 15th.

http://www.tvasports.ca/2018/11/02/bete ... decembre-1

I’m okay with Jan instead of December.

But to make up for it. He SHOULD be able to fight 3 times.

Jan - May/Jun - Oct/Nov ??

Why not?

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Beterbiev Was Advised By Coach To Push Back Smith Defense

“Actually, it was from me [who felt the Smith fight should be pushed back] because of [the proximity to the] Johnson fight, and [the opponent,]” said Beterbiev’s trainer, Marc Ramsay, said to Boxing Scene.

“Artur has only just returned from a two-week vacation in Russia. That’s really a very short amount of time to prepare for a 12-round championship fight. For a fighter like Joe Smith, you need at least eight weeks. We made the decision together, but my advice to Artur was that the amount of preparation time was not enough. We don’t have an exact date, but it will be in February.”

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Bob Arum: My Matchmaker Told Me Joe Smith Would Beat Beterbiev

Bob Arum always believed Joe Smith Jr. was capable of performing against a top opponent the way he defeated Eleider Alvarez last month.

Now that Smith has knocked out Alvarez, Arum “absolutely” has preliminary plans to match Smith against Artur Beterbiev in 2021. Long Island’s Smith (26-3, 21 KOs) and Russia’s Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) must win another fight apiece to remain on that collision course, but Beterbiev-Smith has become one of the most intriguing matchups within the light heavyweight division.

“I thought Joe was tremendous,” Arum told Boxing Scene of his ninth-round knockout of Alvarez. “I always believed that he was a real good fighter that could be at the top tier of the light heavyweights. But he wasn’t disciplined, and he never came in with a game plan. Well here, he had a game plan and he worked, and he was disciplined. And he’s just so strong, and he punches so well, I’d make him competitive with any light heavyweight, including Beterbiev.”

“I asked [Top Rank matchmaker] Brad Goodman, ‘Could he fight with Beterbiev?’ And Goodman said he’d beat Beterbiev. I didn’t know about that, but that’s what Goodman said. That would be a tremendous fight. I could see both of them going down.”

Arum’s company, Top Rank Inc., co-promotes Smith, 30, and Beterbiev, 35.

Smith secured his place in a WBO championship match and became the first opponent to knock out Alvarez (25-2, 13 KOs) in a main event ESPN+ streamed from MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

A right-left combination by Smith knocked Alvarez, a former WBO light heavyweight champ, through the ropes and onto the ring apron early in the ninth round. Alvarez got up and climbed through the ropes, but he failed to beat referee Tony Weeks’ count.

Beterbiev, the IBF/WBC 175-pound champion, is scheduled to make an optional defense of his IBF belt against Germany’s Adam Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs) on a December date in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Beterbiev was supposed to make a mandatory defense of his IBF title against Meng Fanlong (16-0, 10 KOs), but COVID-19 and visa issues would’ve prevented the Chinese southpaw from leaving Russia if he traveled there to battle Beterbiev.

Smith, meanwhile, will face the winner of a WBO elimination match between Russian contenders Umar Salamov and Maksim Vlasov. Salamov (25-1, 19 KOs) and Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOs) will fight on the Beterbiev-Deines undercard for the right to meet Smith for the vacant WBO light heavyweight title.

If Beterbiev and Smith square off after winning their upcoming appearances, their fight would be contested for the IBF, WBC and WBO light heavyweight titles.

[watsupdoc87]

Would love to see Smith jr win a world title

[PLAYER-HATER]

what Eddie Hearn has to do with Beterbiev and Smith?

I thought they were Bob Arum's cards.

[Ruthless-RKO]

what Eddie Hearn has to do with Beterbiev and Smith?

I thought they were Bob Arum's cards.

This is an old thread.. from when the fight was first talked about.

[skanksta]

5 star fight
Obviously voting for King A by KO, but anything can happen.

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Joe Smith: I Believe I'm A Little Tougher Than Beterbiev; I'll Get Him Out Of There

Joe Smith Jr. hopes his foreseeable fight against Artur Beterbiev happens just as much as many boxing fans.

The emerging light heavyweight contender considers a showdown with Beterbiev a can’t-miss action fight that’ll result in a knockout. The hard-hitting light heavyweights would have to win at least one more fight apiece prior to their bout becoming a more realistic possibility, but battling Beterbiev is in the back of Smith’s mind.

“I mean, I think it’ll be a great opportunity,” Smith told Chris Mannix during the most recent episode of Sports Illustrated’s boxing podcast. “I’m hoping that [our promoters] can make it happen, honestly. I think it’ll be a great fight. I think our styles will make a great fight, but I believe I’m a little tougher than he is, and I’ll get him out of there.”

Russia’s Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) is considered one of boxing’s most punishing punchers. The 35-year-old IBF/WBC champion is scheduled to defend his titles against Germany’s Adam Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs) on a date in December in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Long Island’s Smith (26-3, 21 KOs) secured his place in a fight for the vacant WBO light heavyweight title by knocking out former WBO champ Eleider Alvarez (25-2, 13 KOs) in the ninth round August 22 at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

“I think somebody’s gonna get knocked out,” Smith said of what would happen if he battles Beterbiev. “You know, he’s a huge puncher, so, you know, anything can happen.”

First, however, the 30-year-old Smith must face the winner of another WBO light heavyweight eliminator between Russian contenders Umar Salamov and Maksim Vlasov. Salamov (25-1, 19 KOs), the WBO’s number one contender, and the second-ranked Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOs). Their fight has been scheduled for the Beterbiev-Deines card, to fight for the right to meet Smith for the title Canelo Alvarez gave up after knocking out Sergey Kovalev on November 2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“I’m just waiting to hear the news,” Smith said regarding when he’ll face the Salamov-Vlasov winner. “I don’t know exactly what’s gonna happen. But I feel like they shoulda put the title on the line for this fight [versus Alvarez]. … You know, I fought the two best guys that were in the tournament [Alvarez and Jesse Hart], you know, and destroyed both of them. Now, we don’t know when these other two guys are gonna be able to fight, or if they’re even gonna be able to.”

[watsupdoc87]

Smith says there he beat the 2 best guys in the tournament already in Hart and Alvarez. What tournaments he referring to? I wasn't aware of one

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Smith says there he beat the 2 best guys in the tournament already in Hart and Alvarez. What tournaments he referring to? I wasn't aware of one

A WBO unofficial tournament..

[Ruthless-RKO]

Smith has limited skill but can throw a good punch.

Beterbiev is a heavy puncher and can work an opponent down bad.. But he has suspect chin?

This makes for a good scrap.

[morm]

i like Joe Smith jr but Beterbiev win this fight... ko

[margaret thatcher]

Joe Smith is more than hard punches, he is in great shape. It was as much his constant pressure that broke down guys like Alvarez, Hart, Hopkins and made them turn scurred. He was actually winning all these fights on points from the start too, he doesn't need a KO each time

Of course Bert has way more fire power than those guys though, but I wouldn't be too surprised if Joe got yet another upset

Would love to see them fight next year, could be another unification

[bobcatbox]

Artur will knock Smith’s block off.

[DrDuke]

By the moment this matchup was in plans, Beter hadn't faced Gvozdyk yet, so I was expecting it to be intriguing, as Beter wasn't proved as a top fighter, while Smith proved himself as a tough fella. Now it's clear, that Beter is elite level for the division. After he smashed Gvozdyk, I began to see Bivol as the only good challenge for him. But in this year Smith has provided a couple of big upsets. Anyway, I'd pick Beter. I guess, up to the date their fight would be competetive, but Beter's power will be a crucial factor. He'll stop Smith in a competetive affair, I believe.

[jewboypgh]

I like the irish kid from NY. Loved seeing him beat the Columbian guy that beat Kovalev.

[squiggy]

Smith may well have overachieved in his career; Beterbiev has certainly underachieved. Smith would've been a punching bag in this matchup.

[JxhDel.]

Boy, oh boy, Artur eats him.

[Ancherrera]

Smith may well have overachieved in his career; Beterbiev has certainly underachieved. Smith would've been a punching bag in this matchup.

Underachieved in what way?

[Blodhemn]

Stagnant management and injuries. With his pedigree, should be an accomplished veteran in the pros, instead of coming off his sole relevant victory.