Joe Smith Jr. Eager to get his hands on Artur Beterbiev: ‘It was one of the biggest fights in boxing’

By: Hans Themistode

Joe Smith Jr.’s path to light heavyweight gold. not easy.

Although the Long Islander has suffered many bumps and bruises along the way, he is proud in the end that he has come a long way. After a failed attempt to dethrone WBA belt holder Dmitry Bivol in March 2019, Smith Jr is back on the drawing board.

After hitting the reset button, his world championship dream finally came true after going through three consecutive victories together, the latter winning against Maxim Vlasov for the remaining WBO crown. drum. With a check mark placed on his boxing to-do list, Smith Jr believes he still has a lot to accomplish.

Although the 32-year-old is hours away from defending his crown against competitor Steve Geffrard, he hopes that his showdown with unified heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, has can become a reality.

“I believe it’s one of the biggest fights in boxing done,” Smith Jr said on Max on Boxing. “There were two giant punchers rushing at it. That’s what people want to see. They love seeing people punch and knock someone down.”

About a week before Christmas 2021, Beterbiev went on to win the knockout round and put an end to the world championship dream of ranked contender Marcus Browne. The two squared off in Beterbiev’s adopted hometown of Montreal, Quebec, in front of a rowdy crowd.

Early on, Beterbiev was forced to face adversity when blood was spilled on his forehead from an unintentional headbutt. While his vision was sometimes affected, Beterbiev systematically beat the former Olympian to register two knockdowns before finishing their match in the ninth.

Considering the ferocity with which both champions unleash their punches, Smith Jr dreams of one day being able to share the ring with the unifying star.

No matter how much Smith Jr longed for the expected duel, however, he refused to look past Geffrard. Initially, the newly crowned WBO tennis player was expected to face Callum Johnson. But, which became the norm, Johnson was forced to withdraw from their contest due to a positive COVID-19 test result.

Now, when Geffrard joins at short notice, Smith Jr refuses to look past the Miami-born candidate. After consecutive setbacks in his first two competitions as a pro, Geffrard went on to win 18 straight, which Smith Jr. have noticed.

But, despite his current form, Smith Jr saw the match against Geffrard as an opportunity to show more than the celebrated prowess he was known for.

“I believe you will see a faster, sharper, all-round fighter.”