WBC/WBO/IBF light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev’s title defense against former super middleweight world champion Callum Smith—originally scheduled for Saturday, August 19, at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada—has been postponed due to a bone infection to Beterbiev’s jaw. He underwent surgery earlier today in Montreal, Canada.
According to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, the infection was a result of dental work, and the fight is expected to be rescheduled for late 2023 or early 2024,
The 39-year-old Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs), who resides in Montreal, is boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio. The 33-year-old Smith (29-1, 21 KOs), the WBC’s mandatory challenger, has won two bouts by stoppage since dropping a decision in a 2020 title unification fight against Canelo Alvarez.
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