Undefeated Artur Beterbiev 18-0 (18) kept his knockout record intact with a two-round demolition of Joe Smith Jr at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday night.
The 37-year-old Canadian-based Russian put on a power boxing masterclass to add the WBO title to his WBC and IBF belts with a stoppage at 2:19 of the second frame.
Long Island’s Smith, 32, was down three times in less than six minutes.
Beterbiev boxed cleverly in the first, using his jab and movement to control the range. Just before the end of the round a savvy left hook clipped the American and sent him to the canvas.
The one-sided assault continued in the second with Beterbiev smashing Smith to the canvas with a right early in the round. He continued to work off the jab, throwing overhand rights and the same hand to the body before he sent Smith down again with another short left hook.
Smith tried to brawl his way out of trouble, but it proved to be the wrong approach against the formidable Beterbiev.
A pair of left and right uppercuts snapped the head of Smith back and a clubbing right hand sent him reeling across the ring. It was enough for referee Harvey Dock to call off the contest.
According to CompuBox, Beterbiev threw 102 punches and landed 48 of them at a 47% clip. In the power punch category, Beterbiev threw 63 and landed 34 (54%).
After the fight Beterbiev was asked if he wanted to unify with WBA boss and fellow Russian Dmitry Bivol 20-0 (11) – who is coming off an upset victory over Mexican superstar and undisputed super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 57-2-2 (39) on points in Las Vegas last month – or defend against hard-hitting WBO mandatory Anthony Yarde 22-2 (21) of England.
“I need to be with this belt for a couple of days,” Beterbiev said. “Joe is a little open and it was easy to get to him. Two fighters that both have good punch, and I was lucky to get first. I have two unification fights, I prefer unified. I prefer to be undisputed.”
ESPN+ commentator Andre Ward was unimpressed by Smith’s performance, claiming his countryman did less than enough to get the win.
“Joe Smith abandoned ship,” Ward said. “He got spooked, he got scared… he panicked and everything went awry.”
Yarde, 30, who was ringside to watch the bout, sees a match-up with Beterbiev as a natural based on their styles. The pair of punchers would make for a thrilling TV contest. If it happens, it would most likely take place in England.
“He’s a beast,” Yarde said. “He hits very hard. I’m a beast, too. That’s why I think it’s such an exciting match-up.”
Beterbiev must now be considered one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
