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What’s next for Artur Betterbiev? | Callum Smith declared: ‘Now is the time to beat him!’ | boxing news

Artur Betterbiev has never lost a professional match.

Nineteen men tried to beat him, two of them the reigning world champions, but none succeeded. None of them even went that far with him.

Beterbiev reminded him how dangerous he is, even at 38, when he stopped London’s Anthony Yarde for eight innings after their epic world championship match at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.

Artur Beterbiev before the WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight bout with Anthony Yarde
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Artur Betterbiev has called for an undisputed fight with Dmitry Bivol

He has defended his unified WBC, WBO and IBF titles and is now targeting what could be the toughest fight of his professional career. Beterbiev wants to take on WBA star Dmitry Bivol in a match that will decide the undisputed 175lb weight champion.

“I want Bivol. For now, that’s all. In that match we will have four belts. I think it was a really good match,” Beterbiev declared after his latest win.

The unified champion believes he can perform better than last weekend.

“Every fight is different. It’s a different preparation. And the boxer is different. I can’t say that I hit very badly,” he said after the intense showdown with Yarde.

“But if I could do it again, I would do better. But I feel good. Honestly, I was prepared for all the punches he did. That’s why I got it. can come back.”

However, Beterbiev’s next opponent could be another Englishman.

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Callum Smith won his WBC knockout impressively as he stopped Mathieu Bauderlique with a brutal left hook

After beating Mathieu Bauderlique last August, an impressive four-round knockout, Liverpool’s Callum Smith is the required challenger for Beterbiev’s WBC title.

Smith is expected to enter a tune-up fight in March, and then boost his shot at the unified champion.

“I’ve done my part. I’ve become mandatory so I can sit back and fight for three belts,” he said. Sports sky.

He wants a respectable opponent in the spring – “it has to be an opponent that makes me want to get into camp, makes me want to train hard” – although it will be a match Smith can’t afford to lose.

“It’s a bit of a difficult game. But if I’m good enough to beat Beterbiev, who I believe I am, then I’m good enough to beat anyone else as long as I stay focused and have motivation,” Smith said.

“I feel like I am, I feel like I enjoy training more. I feel like I’m enjoying the progress I’m making. I’ll be fine.”

Artur Betterbiev meets Anthony Yarde in the middle of the ring
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Artur Betterbiev meets Anthony Yarde in the middle of the ring

Beterbiev’s looks are so formidable, Smith, the former super-middleweight champion, believes he has all the tools to beat him.

Smith declared: “I believe I can beat anyone on this planet. “I believe I can win the belt too.”

Smith continued: “He’s European, pressuring but not just running forward, he does it very smart and obviously very heavy-handed. “He’s been hurt, he’s been beaten twice as a professional and he’s not invincible.

“I’ve seen other boxers hurt him and knock him down, I’m absolutely convinced I can do it.

“I’m in my prime and now it’s time to beat him.”

Smith will go wherever he needs to go to fight.

“I’m the challenger. I won’t be able to hit many hits. I think if we don’t come to an agreement it will lead to bids anyway. I just want to fight,” he said. speak.

“I don’t think the venue is too important for myself. I’m going to fight, whether I have to go to America, England or not. I just want that match. That’s the goal. That’s why. Why I’m Still Boxing That’s Why I’m Going Camping It’s To Be A Two-Division World Champion.

Beterbiev wounded Yarde with his right hand
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Beterbiev wounded Yarde with his right hand

“I’ve always believed that I’m good enough and big enough to do it. I made the decision to move on, move on, and I’m very close to it.”

He will pursue that goal, even if it means going up against one of the most ferocious boxers in the sport.

“I got into boxing because when I’m done, I want to sit back and say I’ve achieved everything that I can,” Smith said.

“Once you’re at that level, you’re not really satisfied with anything less. So if I didn’t believe I could get back to where I am, I wouldn’t be sitting here. “

Thinking about his youth advantage over the 38-year-old champion, he laughed adding: “Age is old. At some point it will catch up with him. And hopefully a week before he plays against him. I!”



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