Artur Beterbiev KO`s Joe Smith

This Saturday at the Hulu Theater in the Madison Square Garden, New York, Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KO) became the unified WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion, stopping Joe Smith Jr (28-4, 22 KOs) in two ruthlessly efficient rounds.

Both fighters went straight at it from the opening bell, testing their punch potency. Beterbiev was more versatile with quicker combinations, neutralizing the long jab of Smith, who launched all out attack, throwing caution to the wind. At the end of the round, a quick and accurate counter right hook from Artur, found its mark and dropped Joe to one knee.

In the second round, the two began exchanging power shots and Smith was knocked down again. Beterbiev landed a flurry of punches to drop Smith for the third time.

Smith once again beat the referee’s protection count, but Beterbiev staggered him badly and the Referee stepped in to stop the fight. Eighteen fights and as many KO`s for Artur Beterbiev!