Beterbiev vs. Smith Jr summit is in the works!

Shuttle diplomacy gathering pace as Top Rank mogul Bob Arum, plans to present a superpowers light heavyweight match between World Boxing Council champion Artur Beterbiev of Russia (16-0, 16 KOs) and WBO champion Joe Smith of the United States. Jr. (27-3, 21 KOs), on September 18, probably in the Cathedral of Boxing Madison Square Garden.

In Beterbiev’s most recent fight, he knocked out Adam Deines in the 10th round last March, in a bout where he was coming off some injuries and recovering from Covid-19.

For his part, the 28-year-old Smith defeated Maxim Vlasov by a 12-round majority decision last April in a very close and contested fight.

This is an illuminating match that fans want to see. Beterbiev and Smith have proved their mettle. Now they seek a gold standard.