- Beterbiev has reportedly signed to face fellow Russian Dmitry Bivol this spring
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Callum Smith proved to be no challenge for unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in Quebec City on Saturday, suffering his first career knockdown before losing by a seventh-round knockout.
Beterbiev, widely considered to be one of the world’s best boxers, was coming off similarly easy wins over Anthony Yarde, Joe Smith Jr. and Marcus Browne to improve to 20-0. However, he was coming off a one-year layoff, not that Beterbiev showed any ring rust on Saturday.
The 34-year-old Russian-born Canadian citizen could move to fight fellow undefeated Russian Dmitry Bivol in what would be highly anticipated matchup for boxing fans.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said this week that both fighters have signed to meet in April or May in a unification bout in Saudi Arabia.
However, Arum did pump the breaks on the Bivol-Beterbiev talk after Saturday’s bout: ‘It’s not done yet. But absolutely we want to do it. I’ll be talking to my friend His Excellency [Saudi Advisor] Turki Alalshikh. I know he wants to do it, but Ramadan is coming. So, about three months after the end Ramadan we’ll be ready to fight Dmitry Bivol, probably in Riyadh.’
Artur Beterbiev (pictured next to promoter Bob Arum) was all smiles after facing Callum Smith
Beterbiev delivers a strong jab to Callum Smith’s face during Saturday’s bout in Quebec City
Russia’s Dmitry Bivol (pictured) is set to face Beterbiev in Saudi Arabia in a unification bout
Australia’s Jason Moloney (left) survived a 12-round battle with bantamweight Saul Sanchez
‘Yes, of course [I want the Bivol fight],’ Beterbiev said afterwards. ‘I need another belt. It would mean a lot to me.’
On the undercard, Australia’s Jason Moloney survived a 12-round battle with Mexican bantamweight Saul Sanchez to defend his WBO title.
Moloney recovered from a slow start for the majority decision in his first defense of the title he won back in May.
The win sets up a likely matchup on the George Kambosos Jr.- Vasily Lomachenko card this May, when the two lightweights will battle for the vacant IBF title.
Moloney could find himself facing IBF bantamweight champion Emmanuel Rodriguez, whom he lost to five years earlier.
Another option could be Junto Nakatani, a former flyweight title holder.
And then there is WBA champion Takuma Inoue, the younger brother of Naoya Inou, who beat Moloney in 2020.
