Madison Square Garden Theatre, New York, USA. In the main event of the evening, the WBC / IBF light heavyweight champion (up to 79.4 kg) Russian Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) and WBO belt holder American Joe Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) met in unification. The expected victory was celebrated by the guest-favorite.
The American underdog did a great job half the round: he took the center of the ring, jabbed a lot, tried to get an overhand, was active and aggressive. Beterbiev moved unusually a lot in an attempt to neutralize the opponent’s jab, but by the middle of the round he shot. The fighters went in exchange. Smith was on the floor twice. The first time the referee did not record a knockdown (he lost his balance), but the second time he opened the score.
Wasting NO time… Joe Smith Jr. touches the canvas to close Round 1 #BeterbievSmith pic.twitter.com/t2BC9Wo1OV
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 19, 2022
In the 2nd round, the favorite scored two more knockdowns, and then beat Smith to the referee’s go-ahead – everything went through: uppercuts, and side, and overhands, and hooks.
TWO ROUNDS.
ALL IT TOOK #BeterbievSmith pic.twitter.com/9vy4anejQA
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 19, 2022
Beterbiev TKO 2.