Via Jim Calfa: IBF/WBC light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and WBO champion Joe Smith Jr meet June 18 in a 175-lb three-belt unification clash in a bout that will take the winner a step becomes undisputed.
The fight between tough knockout artist Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) and Smith (28-2, 22 KOs) was revealed a month ago, but it was only made official today.
For now, we have to hope that none of the boxers suffered an injury in training camp that would have resulted in the bout being postponed.
Beterbiev vs. Smith Jr. will be headlines on ESPN and ESPN+ at Madison Square Garden in New York. The winner of this Saturday’s showdown between Canelo Alvarez and WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is expected to face Beterbiev-Smith Jr in 2023 or 2024.
If Beterbiev burns Smith brilliantly, he may have to wait a while for a chance to take on Canelo if he wins on Saturday.
Beterbiev, 37, looks really deadly right now, and he will be a problem for Canelo due to his strength, his insides of the game, and his fast-paced fighting style.
“I went to Madison Square Garden to add another world title to my collection,” said Betterbiev. “This fight will take me one step further towards becoming the undisputed champion.”
Hopefully the boxing world doesn’t have to wait too long to see the undisputed 175-lb championship.
With Canelo expected to face Jermall Charlo and David Benavidez in 2023, winner Beterbiev-Smith may need to wait until 2024 before they face the Mexican star unless he chooses to fight. in December.
Promoter Bob Arum said: “Beterbiev vs Smith is one of the best fights that can be done in boxing, two giant boxers fighting at Madison Square Garden in an electric atmosphere. “Whoever comes out on top will be the true king of light weight.
In the co-feature, two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez (9-1.5 KOs) will face off against Abraham Nova (21-0, 15 KOs) in a dangerous fight with the talented Cuban. power. Top ranks are changing 28-year-old Robeisy quickly, as they should, given his seasoned amateur career.
Robbie vs. Nova can steal the show from the main event fight between Betterbiev and Smith. Cuba’s talented Robeisy is fun to watch and he’s world champion written all over him.
It’s too bad that Robeisy isn’t fighting at 130 because it will be interesting to see a rematch between him and Shakur Stevenson. Unfortunately, given the way Shakur is evolving, he’ll be fighting at 135 soon, and he’ll likely be fighting at 147 within a few years.
Since losing his professional debut to Adan Gonzalez in four rounds in August 2019, Robeisy has won his last nine and is looking pretty sensational.
“Robeisy Ramirez has developed into a sensational expert, and he will go all out against a tough, undefeated kid in Abraham Nova. The winner will be lined up to fight for a featherweight world title,” said Arum.
