{"id":109381,"date":"2024-01-08T16:42:26","date_gmt":"2024-01-08T22:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/?p=109381"},"modified":"2024-01-09T20:31:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T02:31:09","slug":"wbc-special-preview-beterbiev-vs-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wbc-special-preview-beterbiev-vs-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"WBC Special Preview: Beterbiev vs. Smith\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>WBC Special Preview: Beterbiev vs. Smith<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><b>WBC STATISTICS<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\">WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">January 13, 2024 \/ Quebec City, Quebec, Canada \/ Videotron Center<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b>EYE OF THE TIGER &amp; TOP RANK, in association with MATCHROOM BOXING, PRESENT:<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-109382 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20240113_Poster_Feed_Beterbiev_Smith_boxing-819x12020\/024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-109422 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-belt.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-belt.png 1109w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-belt-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-belt-1024x609.png 1024w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-belt-768x457.png 768w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-belt-245x146.png 245w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-belt-50x30.png 50w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-belt-126x75.png 126w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-belt-960x571.png 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1109px) 100vw, 1109px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b>ARTUR BETERBIEV<\/b> (Canada)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">WBC light heavyweight world champion, 5th title defense<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Age: 38 \/ Date of birth: January 21, 1985<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Montr\u00e9al, Qu\u00e9bec, Canada<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Record: 19-0, 19 KOs \/ Total rounds: 83 \/ World championship fights: 8-0, 8 KOs<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Height: 5\u201911.5\u201d \u2013 182cm \/ Reach: 73\u201d \u2013 185cm \/ Stance: Right-handed<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Manager: Self-managed \/ Trainer: Marc Ramsay<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b>CALLUM \u201cMundo\u201d SMITH<\/b> (United Kingdom)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Ranked WBC No. 1 \/ Mandatory Challenger at Light Heavyweight<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Age: 33 \/ Date of birth: April 23, 1990<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Liverpool, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Record: 29-1, 21 KOs \/ Total rounds: 152 \/ World championship fights: 3-1, 2 KOs<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Height: 6\u20193\u201d \u2013 191cm \/ Reach: 78\u201d \u2013 198cm \/ Stance: Right-handed<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Manager: Self-managed \/ Trainer: Buddy McGirt<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS:<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\">1. Harold Johnson (US) \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01963<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">2. Willie Pastrano (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01963 \u2013 1965<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">3. Jose Torres (P. Rico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1965 \u2013 1966<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">4. Dick Tiger (Nigeria)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01966 \u2013 1968<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">5. Bob Foster (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01968 \u2013 1974<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">6. John Conteh (GB)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01974 \u2013 1977<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">7. Miguel Angel Cuello (Arg)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01977 \u2013 1978<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">8. Mate Parlov (Yugoslavia)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01978<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">9. Marvin Johnson (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01978 \u2013 1979<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">10. Matthew Saad Muhammad (US) 1979 \u2013 1981<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">11. Dwight Muhammad Qawi (US) 1981 \u2013 1983<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">12. Michael Spinks (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01983 \u2013 1985<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">13. J.B. Williamson (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1985 \u2013 1986<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">14. Dennis Andries (GB)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01986 \u2013 1987<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">15. Thomas Hearns (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01987<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">16. Don LaLonde (CAN)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01987 \u2013 1988<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">17. Ray Leonard (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1988<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">18. Dennis Andries (GB)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01989 *<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">19. Jeff Harding (Australia)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01989 \u2013 1990<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">20. Dennis Andries (GB)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01990 \u2013 1991 *<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">21. Jeff Harding (Australia)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01991 \u2013 1994 *<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">22. Mike McCallum (Jamaica)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01994 \u2013 1995<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">23. Fabrice Tiozzo (Fra)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1995 \u2013 1996<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">24. Roy Jones Jr. (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1996 \u2013 1997<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">25. Montell Griffin (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1997<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">26. Graciano Rocchigiani (Ger) (Int.) 1998<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">27. Roy Jones Jr. (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1997 \u2013 2003 *<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">28. Antonio Tarver (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2003<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">29. Roy Jones Jr. (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02003 \u2013 2004 *<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">30. Antonio Tarver (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2004 *<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">31. Tomasz Adamek (Poland)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02005 \u2013 2007<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">32. Chad Dawson (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2007 \u2013 2008<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">33. Adrian Diaconu (Rom\/Can)\u00a0\u00a02008 \u2013 2009<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">34. Jean Pascal (Haiti\/Canada)\u00a0\u00a02009 \u2013 2011<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">35. Chad Dawson (US) Interim\u00a0\u00a02009 \u2013 2010 *<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">36. Bernard Hopkins (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2011 \u2013 2012<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">37. Chad Dawson (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2012 \u2013 2013*<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">38. Adonis Stevenson (Haiti\/Can)\u00a02013 \u2013 2018<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">39. Oleksandr Gvozdyk (Ukraine) 2018 \u2013 2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">40. Artur Beterbiev (Russia)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02019 \u2013<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">* Regained<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\"><strong>WBC TOP 10 LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\">1. Roy Jones Jr. (US)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">2. Bernard Hopkins (US)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">3. Bob Foster (US)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">4. Michael Spinks (US)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">5. Adonis Stevenson (Haiti\/Canada)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">6. Mike McCallum (Jamaica)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">7. Jose Torres (Puerto Rico)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">8. Dick Tiger (Nigeria)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">9. Matthew Saad Muhammad (US)<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">10. Chad Dawson (US)<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\"><strong>GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\">32 light heavyweight world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only five have regained the title: Dennis Andries (GB) two times, Jeff Harding (Australia), Roy Jones Jr. (US) two times, Antonio Tarver (US), and Chad Dawson (US) two times.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">122 light heavyweight world championship fights have been held in WBC history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Bob Foster (US) holds the record for light heavyweight world title defenses with 14.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">MEMORABLE WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS:<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\">Jan. 28, 2023\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Artur Beterbiev TKO8 Anthony Yarde \u2013 London, England<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">June 18, 2022\u00a0\u00a0Artur Beterbiev TKO2 Joe Smith Jr. \u2013 New York, New York<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Dec. 17, 2021\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Artur Beterbiev KO9 Marcus Browne \u2013 Montr\u00e9al, Qu\u00e9bec<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Mar. 20, 2021\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Artur Beterbiev TKO10 Adam Deines \u2013 Moscow, Russia<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Oct. 18, 2019\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Artur Beterbiev TKO10 Oleksandr Gvozdyk \u2013 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Dec. 1, 2018\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oleksandr Gvozdyk KO11 Adonis Stevenson \u2013 Qu\u00e9bec City, Qu\u00e9bec<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">May 19, 2018\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adonis Stevenson D12 Badou Jack \u2013 Toronto, Ontario<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">May 24, 2014\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adonis Stevenson W12 Andrzej Fonfara \u2013 Montr\u00e9al, Qu\u00e9bec<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">June 8, 2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adonis Stevenson KO1 Chad Dawson \u2013 Montr\u00e9al, Qu\u00e9bec<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Apr. 28, 2012\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chad Dawson W12 Bernard Hopkins \u2013 Atlantic City, New Jersey<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">May 21, 2011\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bernard Hopkins W12 John Pascal \u2013 Montr\u00e9al, Qu\u00e9bec<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Dec. 11, 2009\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jean Pascal W12 Adrian Diaconu \u2013 Montr\u00e9al, Qu\u00e9bec<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Apr. 12, 2008\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chad Dawson W12 Glen Johnson \u2013 Tampa, Florida<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">May 21, 2005\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tomasz Adamek W12 Paul Briggs \u2013 Chicago, Illinois<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">May 15, 2004\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Antonio Tarver TKO2 Roy Jones Jr. \u2013 Las Vegas, Nevada<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Nov. 22, 1996\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Roy Jones Jr. W12 Mike McCallum \u2013 Tampa, Florida<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">July 23, 1994\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mike McCallum W12 Jeff Harding \u2013 Bismarck, North Dakota<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Nov. 7, 1988\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sugar Ray Leonard TKO9 Donny Lalonde \u2013 Las Vegas, Nevada<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">May 29, 1988\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Donny Lalonde TKO5 Leslie Stewart \u2013 Port of Spain, Trinidad<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Mar. 7, 1987\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thomas Hearns TKO10 Dennis Andries \u2013 Detroit, Michigan<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Sep. 10, 1986\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dennis Andries TKO9 Tony Sibson \u2013 London, England<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Mar. 18, 1983\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Michael Spinks W15 Dwight Muhammad Qawi \u2013 Atlantic City, New Jersey<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Dec. 19, 1981\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dwight Muhammad Qawi TKO10 Matthew Saad Muhammad \u2013 Atlantic City, New Jersey<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Apr. 22, 1979\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Matthew Saad Muhammad TKO8 Marvin Johnson \u2013 Indianapolis, Indiana<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Oct. 9, 1976\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0John Conteh W15 Yaqui Lopez \u2013 Copenhagen, Denmark<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">May 24, 1968\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bob Foster KO4 Dick Tiger \u2013 New York, New York<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Dec. 16, 1966\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dick Tiger W15 Jos\u00e9 Torres \u2013 New York, New York<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Aug. 15, 1966\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jos\u00e9 Torres W15 Eddie Cotton \u2013 Las Vegas, Nevada<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">June 1, 1963\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Willie Pastrano W15 Harold Johnson \u2013 Las Vegas, Nevada<\/p>\n<h2><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-96752 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-face-to-face.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-face-to-face.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-face-to-face-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-face-to-face-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-face-to-face-260x146.jpg 260w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-face-to-face-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/beterbiev-smith-face-to-face-133x75.jpg 133w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The \u201cArt\u201d of KO<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>By James Blears<\/p>\n<p>Ten out of ten for valiant and talented Scouser Callum Smith for taking on the challenge of undefeated \u201cKO King\u201d Artur Beterbiev for the Unified Light Heavyweight Crown at the Videotron Center in Quebec on January 13<sup>th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n<p>Will he buck the trend and unlike anyone else to date, endeavor plus endure for twelve out of twelve torrid rounds, or achieve even better?<\/p>\n<p>This is the question on the chapped, pursed lips and sizzling keyboards of boxing scribes and of course uppermost on the minds of the fans, who are hankering after an all- out ring war. Might they witness a wind of change, or perhaps be testament to yet another opponent blown away gale force style?!<\/p>\n<p>Callum, who has only tasted defeat once at the hands of Saul \u201cCanelo\u201d Alvarez, valiantly going the while distance, in spite of excruciatingly suffering a detached left bicep, must strive to overcome this looming question mark? While the punctuation mark leveled by a round table of experts against the mighty thirty eight year old \u201cKing\u201d Artur, involves advancing age, which waits for no man, coupled with an enforced layoff due to jaw surgery.<\/p>\n<p>Some say ageing boxers can grow old overnight. That must be the longest night, because the fading and fraying magic tends to dawn, dissipate, and dissolve over a somewhat longer spell.<\/p>\n<p>What is Callum facing? A boxer who prevails with a singular focused mindset, overcoming opponents come what may, with an all pervasive, bludgeoning lambasting style, which physically wears them down, breaks them up, pummeling them, bending and doubling them with his granite fists reinforced by his corrugated iron willpower. Up to now it\u2019s been irresistible and numbingly effective.<\/p>\n<p>Artur Asilbekovich Beterbien, of Chechen descent who was born in Khasayurt, Dagestan, resides in Quebec, Canada and is a Canadian citizen, won the IBF title in 2017, became WBC champion in 2019 and the WBO in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Artur likes to get in real close working the body like minced beef, then landing clubbing shots to the head. He has fast hands, following up time and again, but in so doing he can be exposed and he\u2019s been knocked down twice. In a brawl with Jeff Page at the outset of his career, he was decked in round one by a clipping and precise right hand. But the rampage which then ensued, came from Artur in round two, when he returned the favor thrice to win in dramatic style.<\/p>\n<p>When he fought Callum Johnson, Artur dropped him with a right cross in round one. But then he himself walked into a peach of a left hook in round two and went down heavily, beating the count and being hurt to the extent that the Referee asked him if he wanted to continue. That he did and two rounds later he closed the show with his vaunted right. He can prove vulnerable, and he can be tagged, but he\u2019s at his most dangerous when this occurs.<\/p>\n<p>One of his most spectacular fights was winning the WBC title in an undiluted slugfest with then undefeated Oleksandr Gvozkyk. In the first few rounds, Artur was getting hit hard and often, but the course of the fight radically changed when he knocked down the Ukrainian with a searing lance of a left hook in the sixth. By the ninth his unrelenting body attack had taken its toll and he was totally dominating. Then in the tenth three knockdowns with the Referee stopping the fight to save battered Oleksandr.<\/p>\n<p>A cut, particularly a bad one, often gives a boxer pause for thought and sobering reflection, resorting and opting to box, in order to protect the injury. Not so after a clash of heads with southpaw Marcus Browne in a WBC mandatory defense, which left the Great one with a grated forehead resembling a gaping letter box, seeping blood everywhere. He dropped Marcus in the seventh and the ninth, beating the remaining resistance out of and from his brave but by now utterly exhausted opponent.<\/p>\n<p>A stern test against hard hitting Anthony Yarde who put up a spirited resistance only to be dropped in the eighth and in that same round, Anthony\u2019s corner decided he\u2019 taken enough and they themselves intervened to halt the onslaught. Of late, it\u2019s taking Artur longer to apply the finishing touches to his handiwork.<\/p>\n<p>Ferocious Edwin \u201cEl inca Dinamita\u201d Valero, another master blaster, stopped eighteen opponents in the first round and all of his twenty seven fights ended in KO victory. Edwin\u2019s prestigious southpaw power was fuelled and stoked by inner demons which led to the death of his Wife Jennifer Vierafinol and his suicide, following his arrest.<\/p>\n<p>Artur\u2019s style is more akin to that of Rocky Marciano. Rocky was dropped by Jersey Joe Walcott via a left hook in round one of his title successful challenge, but went on KO him with the most spectacular one punch KO ever seen in a world heavyweight title fight during round thirteen. That massive right!<\/p>\n<p>In his last bout wily \u201cOld Mongoose\u201d Archie Moore decked Rocky in round two with a perfectly timed right counter. But Rocky got up and proceeded to maul Archie to defeat in round nine. Exhausted and overwhelmed, Archie was counted out. On the way Rocky dropped him twice in the sixth and once in the eighth.<\/p>\n<p>Small for a heavyweight standing just five feet ten, with only a sixty seven inches reach, one hundred and eighty four pounds Marciano made up for the physical deficits with supreme conditioning. He ran many miles in army boots, clobbered a specially made two hundred and fifty pounds heavy bag leaving it with grapefruit deep indents and he monastically isolated himself during training camp.<\/p>\n<p>For this fight here and now against Arhur, Callum who stands six feet three inches tall and has a seventy eight inches reach, must use this to intelligent effect against five feet eleven and a half inches tall Artur who has a seventy three inches reach. Artur is most effectively devastating at toe to toe range, so Callum must judge it in terms of long distance, avoiding that crunching body attack from Artur who has the appearance of an Old Testament Prophet, although he wouldn\u2019t thank me for this observation, because he\u2019s a devout Muslim.<\/p>\n<p>Callum was European super middleweight champion 2015-2018 and WBA champion 2018-2020, winning the World Boxing Super Series in 2018 and with it the Muhammad Ali Trophy. In that bout he successfully defended the WBC Diamond Belt and won the WBA Belt overwhelming George Groves in the seventh. George was unable to beat the count, after being hit with body shots, an uppercut and a cascade of follow up punches. Then, Callum had to work hard to defeat John Ryder with a close UD. It was all success before encountering Canelo.<\/p>\n<p>Callum moved up to light heavyweight with a second round KO of Lenin Castillo, who was caught with a terrific right to the head and had to be stretchered out of the ring. Then Mathieu Bauderlique who he KO\u2019d in the fourth with a poleaxing left hook. \u00a0Callum has brought his power up a division. He\u2019s dangerous with either hand.<\/p>\n<p>In the theme song to the hilarious film Arthur, starring unforgettable Dudley Moore, Christopher Cross sang: \u201cArthur does as he pleases.\u201d Years later this Artur certainly won\u2019t have it all his own way.<\/p>\n<p>Callum\u2019s career credentials mean that he could be a difficult and awkward opponent with proven power. Aged thirty-three, Callum is five years younger, but has fought more often with a pro record of 30-1, 21 KO\u2019s. He\u2019s opponent number twenty for Artur.<\/p>\n<p>Callum is fighting in Artur\u2019s adopted homeland back yard, but is sure to bring some very vocal support from Liverpool, the roosting place of the Liver Bird. Most likely than not, his fans will be singing the Gerry and Pacemakers song: \u201cYou\u2019ll never walk alone,\u201d which weekly resounds around Anfield, the home ground of Liverpool FC.<\/p>\n<p>But the ring\u2026is a lonely place.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_109381\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"109381\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"far\" data-icon=\"chart-bar\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-chart-bar fa-w-16 fa-2x\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M396.8 352h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V108.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v230.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm-192 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V140.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v198.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm96 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V204.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v134.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zM496 400H48V80c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16H16C7.16 64 0 71.16 0 80v336c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h464c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16v-16c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16zm-387.2-48h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8v-70.4c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v70.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WBC Special Preview: Beterbiev vs. Smith\u00a0 WBC STATISTICS WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship January 13, 2024 \/ Quebec City, Quebec, Canada \/ Videotron Center EYE OF<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_109381\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"109381\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"far\" data-icon=\"chart-bar\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-chart-bar fa-w-16 fa-2x\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M396.8 352h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V108.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v230.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm-192 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V140.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v198.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm96 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V204.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v134.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zM496 400H48V80c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16H16C7.16 64 0 71.16 0 80v336c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h464c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16v-16c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16zm-387.2-48h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8v-70.4c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v70.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":107822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[120,122,121],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-109381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-featured","category-main-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109381\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/107822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}