Results
Artur Beterbiew vs. Callum Smith fight
Artur Beterbiev defended his unified delicate heavyweight world titles with a brutal seventh-round victory over Callum Smith in Canada on Saturday.
Beterbiev dropped Smith twice in the seventh round, ahead of the Briton’s trainer Buddy McGirt signaled referee Michael Griffin to end the fight WBC, WBO and IBF champion, extending his perfect record to 20 straight wins, all by knockout.
Question marks surrounded Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO) during fight week after it was revealed that the Russian-born Canadian returned an unusual result from a VADA test returned on December 6, but it was not considered a violation and he was cleared to fight after passing all further VADA tests.
The 38-year-old, who stopped Anthony Yarde in the eighth round last January, sharply warns the guy about his strength from the very beginning, stalking Smith (29-2, 21 KO) and forcing him to land a punch on the back of the foot, while unleashing powerful combos.
The former super middleweight world champion responded with a much better second round, landing punches to the body in an attempt to snail-paced down the home favorite, but a left hand snapped his head back and kept him in check.
The challenger was recognized after a challenging third round, and Beterbiev kicked into high gear in the fourth round, stopping the hefty blows of the 33-year-old, who was forced to bravely take punishment on the ropes.
‘Mundo’, who has recorded two victories since moving up to delicate heavyweight, was forced to let his hands go, but his shots didn’t seem to hurt Beterbiev enough to discourage him and he continued to march forward despite sending in some solid body shots in the fifth .
Smith’s face was bloody and the pressure Beterbiev was putting on finally took its toll in the seventh round.
A huge right hand signaled the beginning of Smith, who stumbled in the ring as the champion unleashed a barrage of punches for the first time in his 31-fight professional career that sent him to the canvas.
The Liverpudlian bravely got up at the count of eight and went bust, trading with Beterbiev in a desperate attempt to fend off the attacking knockout artist, but moments later he went down a second time after landing more devastating blows.
Smith’s trainer, McGirt, stood on the ring apron and even entered the ring himself to signal that he wanted the charges dropped and the referee properly committed.
Beterbiev improved his perfect record and set his sights on a long-awaited undisputed title clash with WBA champion Dmitry Bivol, with his promoter Bob Arum suggesting the fight could end in Saudi Arabia this summer.
“Of course, [I want to fight Bivol]– said Beterbiev ESPN after the fight.
“I need a fourth belt. This would mean that I have succeeded in this category.
“It means a lot to me. This is the top.”
Smith suffered his second professional loss and first by stoppage, with his last loss coming in December 2020 to Canelo Alvarez.
“He had good momentum, good pressure, kept me from getting into a rhythm,” he told ESPN after the fight.
“The better man won tonight. He caught me with a good shot, it happens. Fair game.
“No excuses, the better man won today.”
Mbilli calls out Canelo after Murdock’s retirement
Christian Mbilli came close to winning the super middleweight world title after forcing Rohan Murdock to withdraw from the fight after six grueling rounds.
Mbilli (26-0, 22 KO) was relentless from the opening bell and forced Murdock (27-3, 19 KO) to fight on the defensive for much of the fight.
The undefeated Frenchman dragged his opponent to the ropes in the fifth round, and the Australian did well to survive the attack.
The 31-year-old had a better sixth round, but continued to eat hefty punches and was withdrawn from his corner at the end of the round.
MBILLA’S BAD INTENTIONS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/4BOVA52Ooa
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 14, 2024
Mbilli, who defended his WBC title in mainland America, is the number one contender in both the WBC and WBA behind undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez and has called for a fight with the Mexican.
“Everyone knows Canelo is the best” The 28-year-old told ESPN after the fight.
“Now I want to show that I am the best in the division.
“That’s why my goal is to fight Canelo.
“I will do everything in my power to fight Canelo.”
Moloney defended his world title
Jason Moloney successfully defended his WBO bantamweight title for the first time, defeating Saul Sanchez by majority decision.
Moloney, who clinched the vacant title with a majority decision victory over Vincent Astrolabio in May, had to dig deep in a thrilling fight that saw both sides evenly matched.
The fight intensified and seemed fierce heading into a pulsating final round that saw both fighters on the run until the final bell.
Two scores of 116-112 erased the drawn score of 114-114 and ensured Moloney (27-2, 19 KO) defended his title despite a valiant effort from Sanchez (20-3, 12 KO), who was fighting in his first world title fight.
Khataev stops Ludwiczak
Imam Khataev continued his knockout streak after the second stoppage over Michał Ludwiczak (17-3-1, 9 KO).
Khataev (6-0, 6 KO), the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, captured the vacant NABF delicate heavyweight title with his sixth straight victory.
A bullet destroying man 😳
Imam Khataev makes it look too effortless. pic.twitter.com/ugye7Ljgca
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 14, 2024
Undercard remaining
Elsewhere in the delicate heavyweight division, Memhet Unal (8-0, 7 KO) secured a first-round victory over Dragan Lepei (22-7-2, 10 KO).
Canadian welterweight prospect Christopher Guerrero (10-0, 5 KO) secured his tenth consecutive victory in his professional career with a unanimous decision over Sergio Garcia Herrera (7-4, 4 KO).
Leila Beuadoin got revenge on Elizabeth Chavez Espinoza in a super featherweight rematch.
Leila Beaudoin takes revenge 😈 pic.twitter.com/RP3b4IgiZg
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 14, 2024
Mexican Espinoza (4-6-3, 1 KO) won her first match by unanimous decision in her home country, but suffered the opposite result against Beuadoin (11-1, 1 KO), this time in her hometown.
Moreno Fendero (3-0, 2 KO) knocked out Victor Hugo Flores (7-3, 3 KO) in the first round of their super middleweight bout, while Quebec native Wilkens Mathieu (6-0, 3 KO) extended his winning streak undefeated record after winning by unanimous decision over Jose Arias Alvarez (3-2, 1 KO).
According to Frank Warren, Oleksandr Usyk is looking forward to the world heavyweight title clash between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker on February 22.
Usyk was present with Dubois and Parker at the Ring Awards in London on Saturday, where he allegedly revealed his plans to Warren.
The Ukrainian defended his WBA superweight, WBO and WBC heavyweight world titles with a second consecutive points victory over Tyson Fury in December, almost seven months after defeating “The Gypsy King” to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
And now the two-time world heavyweight champion looks to continue his legacy and become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
“Oleksandr told me over the weekend that he would fight the winner of Daniel v Joseph Parker for a second shot at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion,” Warren said. Daily mail.
The 37-year-old vacated the IBF belt shortly after defeating Fury in May against Dubois, whom he retained in August 2023, advancing to full champion on the interim title list.
Dubois crushed Anthony Joshua in five rounds in his first defense in September and stormed the ring to call on Usyk for a rematch after his second victory over Fury.
The Londoner’s argument for wanting a rematch is based on a controversial low blow in the fifth round of the fight against the Ukrainian, which he believed was a legal shot.
“Usyk, I want to take revenge,” said the 27-year-old.
“Good job tonight.
“I want revenge for the last robbery.
“Let’s sort this out. Let’s go.
After back-to-back defeats to Usyk, Fury announced on Monday that he was retiring with immediate effect, ending hopes of a long-awaited showdown with Joshua.
“Hi everyone, I’ll keep it brief and sweet,” the 36-year-old said on Instagram.
“I would like to announce that I am leaving boxing.
“It was great fun.
“I loved every minute of it.
“Let me end this, Dick Turpin wore a mask.
“God bless everyone, see you on the other side.”
Ben Shalom insists Conor Benn’s financial demands were a key obstacle to finalizing his fight with Chris Eubank Jr.
Shalom, Eubank Jr’s promoter, is in negotiations with Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn to secure a realigned showdown between the British rivals.
The pair were scheduled to meet in October 2022, but the catchweight bout was postponed until fight week after Benn failed a drug test.
“The Destroyer” was released by National Anti-Doping Panelwho lifted the suspension, after which negotiations resumed for a pointed fight with Eubank Jr, as a result of which Benn jumped two weight classes to middleweight.
The main point of contention apparently was the financial demands of both players, with Benn’s team demanding a 50-50 split.
Shalom said last month that he convinced Eubank Jr. to accept a 55-45 split in his favor, and the BOXXER promoter claims that Benn is demanding whatever amount Anthony Joshua will be able to make.
“Getting Conor to understand that he is not Anthony Joshua,” Shalom said The boxing scene.
“I think Conor needs to be talked into some sense.
“If it was Chris Eubank Jr three or four years ago, probably when he was more hotheaded, he actually took a pretty reasonable, mature approach to this whole thing.
“I really believe in it. It’s just about getting the other side to do it too. I think it will be implemented.”
Shalom said Professional boxing fans on Wednesday that the two sides are close to reaching an agreement, and if an agreement is reached, the fight is expected to take place in April.
A fight with WBA middleweight Erislandy Lara has been lined up for Eubank Jr in case a deal falls through, while his Essex counterpart is likely to aim for a meeting with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios if he is unable to face the fighter from Brighton.
“I think it will happen as long as no one does something stupid,” Shalom told professional boxing fans.
“We are now in the home phase.
“It’s like the last 100m, unless someone does something crazy, they should cross the finish line, but it has to be now because Lara is in line.
“All conditions have been described. Nobody wants to wait and everyone is ready to act.
“We know where the event will take place. We know it will take place in the UK.
“The framework is already in place and now it’s just a matter of finishing it.”
The 2025 British Boxing Championships will be held at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield on Saturday evening, with the main event being the defense of Callum Simpson, from nearby Barnsley, in the British and Commonwealth super middleweight title against Steed Woodall.
Ben Shalom’s BOXXER promotes the Simpson vs. Woodall fight and Heavenly sports was broadcast live on television in the UK and the fight was available on Peacock in the US.
Simpson (15-0, 10 KO) flourished under the BOXXER banner, and points scored over ten rounds against Boris Crighton and Jose de Jesus Macias opened the way to a shot at the British and Commonwealth belts.
The 28-year-old got this chance at the stadium of his beloved Barnsley football club.
Simpson proved too good for Zak Chelli and scored massive to win the pair of titles on offer last August.
Now his opponent will be Woodall (19-2-1, 12 KO), “The Stallion”, who comes from Birmingham.
The 30-year-old took part in campaigns in America and Panama at the beginning of his career, and after beating the aforementioned Crighton over eight rounds in April 2023, he gave Padraig McCrory a decent argument before losing on points over ten rounds four months later.
Woodall picked up the best win of his career when he stopped Lerrone Richards in six rounds in an upset in Bolton to claim the WBO Intercontinental super middleweight crown last June.
Prediction: Simpson is a viable prospect to watch this year and I think he will outperform Woodall, but most likely based on the scorecards.
Dubois defends his world title for the first time
On the card, Caroline Dubois defends her WBC lightweight title for the first time against Canadian Jessica Camara.
Dubois (10-0, 5 KO) was already an IBO champion and added the WBC interim belt to her collection last August, winning every round over Maira Moneo.
She was then elevated to full champion after leaving Katie Taylor.
Camara (14-4, 3 KO) is a former world title contender, and last April she won a split decision over undefeated former world champion Hyun Mi Choi.
Prediction: Dubois will be looking to showcase her talents here, and considering Camara has had three stoppages in four losses, Dubois could make her presence felt with a win on schedule.
Undercard remaining
Cruiserweight prospect Scott Forrest (6-0, 3 KO) can stop Deevorn Miller (8-2, 6 KO).
The only fighter in the eighth round is in the featherlight heavyweight division, and Billy Deniz (12-0, 5 KO) will probably need the distance to win against Mickey Ellison (15-7, 5 KO).
In the six-round middleweight division, Sam Hickey (1-0) should score against Lewis Howells (3-1), and Mauro Silva (6-0, 3 KO) could do the same against Emmanuel Zion (6-2, 3) KO).
Ellis Price (1-0) should secure a four-round points victory over lightweight debutant Liam Fitzmauric.
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