Montreal, Canada resident Artur Beterbiev, the World Boxing Council (WBC) as well as WBO and IBF Unified Light Heavyweight World Champion, will defend his belt against WBC No. 1 contender Callum “Mundo” Smith on Saturday, August 19. Videotron Center in Quebec City, Canada.
The event will be especially important for Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KO’s), the only boxing world champion with a 100 percent knockout percentage. He hasn’t fought since 2015 in Quebec City, when he defeated Gabriel Campillo.
Two-time Olympian Beterbiev has lived in Montreal since turning professional a decade ago. He has made seven world title defenses since ousting Enrico Koeling for the vacant IBF title in November 2017. round, last year against Joe Smith Jr.
He fought as world champion only once in Canada, a ninth-round TKO of Marcus Browne in December 2021.
Smith (29-1, 21 KO’s) is a former super middleweight world champion with victories over George Groves, Hassan N’Dam and John Ryder. His status as champion ended in December 2019, when he lost a unanimous decision against “Canelo” Alvarez in a title unification fight.
After the loss to “Canelo” Smith moved up to light heavyweight and scored knockout victories over Gilbert Castillo Rivera and Matthew Bouderick.
The full card for the Beterbiev-Smith event, which will also feature undefeated super middleweight Christian Mbilly (24-0, 20 KO’s) and heavyweight puncher Simon Keane (23-1, 22 KO’s), will be announced soon.
Local talent Wilkens Mathieu (2-0, 1 KO’s), Leila Beaudoin (9-1, 1 KO’s) and Clovis Drolet (13-1, 9 KO’s) will also fight in front of their hometown fans.
