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Artur Beterbiev To Defend Light Heavyweight Crown Against
Callum Smith Jan. 13 In Quebec City
WBC/WBO/IBF light heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev now has a
date to defend his crown. After recent dental surgery forced
Beterbiev to postpone his Aug. 19 title defense against
former world champion Callum Smith, the two will now meet
Saturday, Jan. 13 at Videotron Centre in Quebec City,
Canada.
“It’s a few months later than originally planned, but I am
thrilled that Artur Beterbiev will have a chance to defend
his titles in front of the incredible Quebec City fans,”
said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Artur has a clean bill of
health, and I know Callum, a supremely talented former
champion, will be at his best on January 13th.”
“I’m very pleased that the camps came to an agreement
quickly, so we can go ahead with this light heavyweight
championship super fight,” said Eye of the Tiger president
Camille Estephan. “It’s going to heat up this January in
Quebec City.”
Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs), boxing’s only current world
champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, has made seven
title defenses since capturing the IBF strap in November
2017. He is coming off January’s stirring eighth-round TKO
over Anthony Yarde in Yarde’s hometown of London. Smith
(29-1, 21 KOs), from Liverpool, England, is the former Ring
Magazine and WBA super middleweight world champion. He has
won two fights since moving up to light heavyweight
following a decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez in December
2020.
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