Russian-born Canadian boxer Artur Beterbiev silenced Madison Square Garden by defeating Joe Smith Jr.
Canadian of Russian origin Artur Beterbiev beat American Joe Smith jr by knockout in two rounds snatch the light heavyweight belt from the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
At Madison Square Garden in New York Beterbiev was a punching machine and needed just 5:19 minutes to defeat the persistent Smith jr, whom he sent to the canvas three times before the fight was stopped.
Beterbiev already had the belts of the World Council and the International Federation, to which he added that of the WBO.
Artur Beterbiev does the job in two rounds. 💥🥊
He beat Joe Smith Jr. and now holds the WBC, WBO and IBF light heavyweight belts. 🏆 #BeterbievSmith @ESPNRingside pic.twitter.com/bjSSjxLgX8
— ESPN Sports (@ESPNDeportes) June 19, 2022
Smith jr came out to make the difference with the ‘jab’. In the first minute of the fight, he advanced from a distance, but Beterbiev dodged him well with good lateral movements. On the verge of closing the inning, he crossed the American with his right hand and caused a protective count.
In the second round, the Canadian went for the opponent, took advantage of his open guard and dropped him in the first minute with a right hand.. He knocked him back to the mat soon after and continued, which leads the referee to stop the fightat minute 2:19 of the second round.
“It’s about who strikes first and I was lucky; now I am interested in the struggle for unification, ”said Beterbiev in reference to his possible confrontation with the Russians Dmitry Bivolwho on May 7 unanimously defeated Mexican Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and retained the World Association title.
If confirmed, the duel for the four light heavyweight belts will be the most anticipated of recent times in world boxing. as it will pit two unbeaten rivals against each other, Bivol with 20 straight wins, 11 in the fast lane, and Beterviev with 18, all by knockout.
