Boxing: Beterbiev inflicts a correction on Smith and unifies titles in semi-heavy

After his easy victory in New York, the Russian-Canadian boxer now has three in four world titles in the semi-heavy category. Only it is missing the World Boxing Association belt (WBA).

Le Monde with AFP

It only took a round and a half round to Russian Artur Beterbiev to demolish the American Joe Smith and delight the World Boxing Council (WBO) belt of mid-londs on Saturday June 18 in New York. It is added to those of the World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) already in its possession.

37 years old, Beterbiev continues an 18 success in as many fights and all were obtained before the limit. He is the only current world champion, all categories combined, to be able to boast of it.

In the Ring of Madison Square Garden, the Russian boxer, also naturalized Canadian, has honored his reputation as a puncher finisher, facing a Smith condemned to suffer from the outset. The American was counted three times In the first recovery, struck by the crochet of the overpowered law of his opponent, who found the faults either passing over his guard, or below placing large uppercuts.

the fourth belt in sight

The second round saw Beterbiev advance as a machine on his prey more and more weakened, who left a fourth time at the carpet before getting up. A few seconds later, the referee did not take the trouble to count Smith who barely held on his feet, his gaze in the void, after yet another right taken at the temple. At 32, he concedes his 4 e defeat (28 victories, including 22 before the limit).

Imperial, Beterbiev announced at the end of the combat his wish to be the king of the category, by defying the formidable Russian Dimitry Bivol, who holds the WBA title, the only one who is missing. The latter had made a very strong impression by keeping it on May 7, with a victory by unanimous decision at the expense of Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.