WBC and IBF light heavyweight world champion (up to 79.4 kg) Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) said that he did not set himself the goal of maintaining a 100% rate of early victories at professional ring in the upcoming unification bout against WBO champion Joe Smith (28-3, 22 KOs).
According to Arthur, he has other priorities for unification, which will take place next night in New York (USA).
Beterbiev-Smith. Mismatch? Yes but no – battle preview from WMMAA.
Smith is a strong guy. He has good experience in the pros, he fought good opponents. We’ll see,” says Beterbiev. – If this (knockout) happens, then so be it. If not, then as I said earlier, I don’t dream of knockouts. We had an 8-week training camp, we did some work, and I will try to show the fruits of it on June 18th.”
“We have different strategies and tactics,” Arthur assured. We have done a lot of work, and on June 18 I need to show these things. Show not only to the fans or my opponent, but also to myself, as well as to my team too. It’s more important to me (than the knockout).”
Artur Beterbiev – Joe Smith: forecast and bets for the fight on June 19