The boxing world turns its attention to an eagerly anticipated bout as two big hitting fighters meet tonight. Artur Beterbiev, the reigning WBC, WBO, and IBF champion, puts his titles on the line against the former world champion Callum Smith tonight.
Originally scheduled for August 2023, the highly-anticipated bout was postponed due to a bone infection in Beterbiev’s jaw.
When is Beterbiev vs. Smith?
- Date: Saturday, January 13, 2024
- Time: 10:00 pm ET / 3:00 am UK (Sunday, January 14
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 12:00 am ET / 5:00 am UK
Where is Beterbiev vs. Smith?
The anticipated fight is set to take place at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada. Situated in the southeast region of the country, this venue is known for hosting major sporting and entertainment events and will be a fitting backdrop for this anticipated boxing showdown.
How to Watch Beterbiev vs Smith in UK, Canada or US?
United States: ESPN, ESPN+ ($10.99 per month)
United Kingdom: Sky Sports Arena, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Go app, NOW TV
Canada: TSN
How to Watch Beterbiev vs. Smith from Anywhere
You can enjoy the action through NextMirror from anywhere in the world for a one-time payment of only $9.99 without needing a VPN. The good part is there are not any hidden or automatic charges.
Beterbiev vs. Smith Preview:
Artur Beterbiev Bio and Record:
- Nationality: Canadian
- Date of birth: January 21, 1985
- Height: 5′ 11.5″
- Reach: 73″
- Total fights: 19
- Record: 19-0 (19 KOs)
Artur Beterbiev’s boxing numbers are nothing short of awe-inspiring. He holds an unblemished record of 19-0 with a 100% knockout rate, including impressive victories over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Joe Smith Jr.
Beterbiev turned pro in 2013. The two-time European Championships gold medalist won the IBF light heavyweight title against Enrico Kolling in 2017. He overcame Oleksandr Usyk to win the WBC title and Joe Smith Jr. in 2022 for the WBO title.
Also, seven title defenses since seizing the IBF title in November 2017 speak volumes. Artur Beterbiev last fought in January 2023, when he claimed an eight-round TKO victory over Anthony Yarde at London’s OVO Wembley Arena.
Callum Smith Bio and Record:
- Nationality: British
- Date of birth: April 23, 1990
- Height: 6′ 3″
- Reach: 78″
- Total fights: 30
- Record: 29-1 (21 KOs)
A silver medalist in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Callum Smith is a formidable opponent from Britain with an impressive record of 29-1 (21 knockouts).
Smith turned pro in 2012 and won the WBA title in 2018. His only loss to date came against Canelo Alvarez in December 2020 by a unanimous decision.
Since then, ‘Mundo’ has won two straight fights at the light heavyweight level, last defeating Mathieu Bauderlique in August 2022 via fourth-round knockout on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua.
Beterbiev vs Smith: What has been said?
Callum Smith:
“I believe I’m a better, smarter fighter. I just think I catch him before he catches me. I can get rid of him. I do believe I’ve got the style to beat him.
“Hopefully, I can show the world how good I am.
“I believe I can outbox him. He’s not invincible. He doesn’t go in and whitewash everyone; he does lose rounds, and he is there to be hit.
“I’ve seen two fighters put him down as a professional. I just believe however the fight goes, I come out victorious.
“I know how good I am; I know how good I can be. I’ve got to be disciplined for every second of every minute of every round.”
Betervbiev:
“He’s a good opponent. He’s a good challenge for me.
“If we talk about my past opponents, I never say someone’s going to be easy for me, if it’s going to be easy for me or not.
“Like him too, I’m preparing for Callum Smith for 100 percent like he prepares for me too.
“I have a boxing coach and condition coach for power training and cardio.
“Every camp, I ask them after sparrings or after my toughest training with my condition coach, ‘How is it? Is it better than five years ago or not good? How do you think?’ And they tell me it’s better than five years ago, but I don’t know.
“I feel good too, but I think they lie to me. I feel good, I’m good. I feel everything good.”
Undercard:
The undercard is also nothing less than a treat, featuring names like Jason Moloney, Saul Sanchez, Christian Mbilli, and many more.
In one of the fights, Super middleweight sensation Christian Mbilli (25-0, 21 KOs) will put his WBC Continental Americas and WBA International super middleweight crowns on the line against Rohan Murdock.
Knockout wins against Nadjib Mohammedi, Carlos Gongora, and Demond Nicholson have propelled Mbilli’s name into global recognition, securing his spot as the No. 1 challenger in the WBC, No. 2 in the WBA, and No. 3 in the IBF.
Beterbiev vs. Smith Fight Card
- Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith (WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight titles)
- Jason Moloney vs Saul Sanchez (WBO bantamweight title)
- Christian Mbilli vs Rohan Murdock (super-middleweight)
- Imam Khataev vs Rodolfo Gomez Jr (light-heavyweight)
- Christopher Guerrero vs Sergio Garcia Herrera (welterweight)
- Mehmet Unal vs Dragan Lepei (light-heavyweight)
- Leila Beaudoin vs Elizabeth Chavez Espinoza (women’s super-featherweight)
- Moreno Fendero vs Victor Hugo Flores (super-middleweight)
- Wilkens Mathieu vs Jose Arias Alvarez