Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith Fight Delay Announced
In a surprising turn of events, WBO, IBF, and WBC light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KO’s) has been temporarily sidelined due to an unexpected injury. As reported by ESPN, the unified champion suffered a bone infection after undergoing a dental procedure. This medical malady has forced the postponement of his highly anticipated August 19 showdown with Callum “Mundo” Smith (29-1, 21 KO’s). As of now, the exact date for the rescheduled match is yet to be determined, with the fight likely to take place later this year or early next year.
When he last stepped into the ring on January 28, Beterbiev displayed his dominance by brutally stopping Anthony Yarde within 8 rounds. Given his impressive track record, Beterbiev is expected to enter the ring as a strong favorite when he faces Smith. On the other hand, Mundo has been on a two-fight winning streak since his sole professional loss to undisputed super middleweight champion Saul Alvarez. While the matchup against Smith is highly anticipated, a significant portion of the boxing world would love to see a clash between Beterbiev and WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.
Bivol, who has not fought in 2023, last faced off against the then-undefeated Gilberto Ramirez, proving his mettle in the ring. Prior to that, Bivol showcased his skills against the renowned Canelo Alvarez in one of the biggest fights of his career. However, before Beterbiev can think about facing Bivol, he must first deal with Smith. Luckily, 3Kings Boxing will be here to provide all the latest developments as they manifest.
