WBC and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev faced off against Joe Smith Jr., a light heavyweight unification bout. Both men are extremely powerful and promised fireworks. Beterbiev defeated Smith with three knockdowns, before being stopped in the second round. Beterbiev was crowned a three-belt champ.
Beterbiev began faster than his usual style and landed big overhand right in the first round. Smith attempted to counter with power shots. Smith was knocked down by Smith after Smith's left hand hit him hard in the opening round.
Smith was given one minute to rest between rounds, but he could not do so because Beterbiev scored the second knockdown.
Smith was unable to take it any better. Beterbiev kept his foot on the gas, trapping Smith against the ropes. Smith was almost knocked to the ground by Beterbiev's punches.
At the 2:19 mark in Round 2, Smith was thrown to the ground by a series of Beterbiev hooks. Smith could barely stand as he grasped the ropes and it was clear that the referee had called the fight.
Beterbiev has stopped all his opponents in his professional career, and is now 18-0. This impressive record also includes seven knockouts in world champion bouts.
Beterbiev, now holding the three world titles at 175 lbs, expressed interest in the largest fight in the division, a bout with Dmitry Bivol who just won a huge upset over Canelo alvarez in May.
Beterbiev stated, "I have had two unification bouts." Unification fights are much more exciting. A unified fight is what I prefer. "I want to be undisputed."
Beterbiev won the second round knockout in just 2:44. He had only fought Isidro Ranoni Prieteto in December 2016 and was one fight away from becoming world champion.
