WBC, WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev 19-0 (19) will defend his belts against once defeated mandatory challenger Callum ‘Mundo’ Smith 29-1 (21) at Videotron Centre in Québec City, Canada on August 19.
Russian Beterbiev, 38, fights out of Montreal. It will be the first time he has fought in Québec City since he stopped Gabriel Campillo in four rounds in an IBF world title eliminator.
“Québec is my second home, so I’m very happy to finally defend my titles on home turf,” Beterbiev said.
“When you are world champion, everyone wants the opportunity to take your belt, and that’s especially true in my case, with three titles at stake. I’ve already started my training camp, and I’ll be ready to not only defend my belts, but to also put on an impressive show August 19.”
Beterbiev, a two-time Olympian, has lived in Montreal since turning pro a decade ago. He has made seven world title defenses since toppling Enrico Koelling for the vacant IBF title in November 2017.
Beterbiev picked up the WBC strap with a stirring 2019 knockout over Oleksandr Gvozdyk, then added the WBO title to his collection with last year’s second-round drubbing of Joe Smith Jr.
He has only fought once in Canada as world champion, a ninth-round TKO over Marcus Browne in December 2021. Beterbiev followed up the Smith triumph with January’s thrilling eighth-round stoppage over Anthony Yarde in Yarde’s hometown of London.
Smith is a former WBA super middleweight world champion who holds victories over George Groves, Hassan N’Dam and John Ryder. His championship run came to an end in December 2019, when he lost a one-sided decision to pound-for-pound great Canelo Alvarez in a title unification tilt.
Smith moved up to light heavyweight following the Canelo defeat and notched knockout victories over Gilbert Castillo Rivera and Mathieu Bauderlique.
“I’m excited to finally get my opportunity to become a two-weight world champion,” Smith said.
“I’m no stranger to fighting on away soil, having boxed in Saudi Arabia twice, across America, and now heading to Canada on August 19.
“There was no hesitation from me going to Canada to fight Artur Beterbiev, and I will be returning to Liverpool as a world champion once more.”
“This is a momentous event for us, as we’re continually striving to bring major fights back to the province. We’re thrilled to be able to make this happen with the best boxer in the history of Québec, Artur Beterbiev, who will share the limelight with other EOTTM fighters,” said Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan.
“We hope that boxing fans will attend in droves, and that the evening will mark the beginning of a new era of boxing in Québec,”
“The legend of the sport’s most fearsome puncher, Artur Beterbiev, continues August 19 in beautiful Québec City for a fight that can’t help but be a light heavyweight championship classic,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
“Callum Smith is a deserving mandatory challenger who won’t be intimidated fighting on Artur’s home turf.”
