Light heavyweight boxer Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), a native of Russia and the owner of three titles (WBC, IBF and WBO), who plays for Canada, is obliged to fight his WBC mandatory challenger Briton Callum Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) .
This decision was confirmed by the organization’s president, Mauricio Suleiman, at the annual WBC convention, which is taking place these days in Acapulco (Mexico).
In January, Beterbiev will defend all of his belts in a duel against the mandatory challenger according to the WBO version of Briton Anthony Yarde. For this reason, the WBC urges not to rush: “Given that Beterbiev will first meet with the mandatory challenger from the WBO, Smith can hold an intermediate fight. But in case of defeat, he will lose his status as a challenger. I confirm that the winner of the Beterbiev vs. Yard fight must face Smith immediately.”
Beterbiev hopes in the second half of 2023 to meet in unification with WBA Super champion compatriot Dmitry Bivol. The WBC immediately made it clear that they would postpone the mandatory defense if the champions agreed: “If Beterbiev participates in unification, then the winner is then obliged to meet with Smith.”
Earlier, the WBC removed boxers from the Russian Federation and Belarus from the rating. But Beterbiev’s promoter Bob Arum (Top Rank) played ahead of the curve – he convinced the public long ago that Arthur is a citizen of Canada. Earlier, compatriot Bivol defended his title under the flag of Kyrgyzstan.
On November 19 in France, local WBA Super cruiserweight champion Arsen Gulamiryan will face his mandatory challenger Russian Alexei Egorov. What flag do you think the guest will enter the ring under?