WBC orders Artur Beterbiev to defend vs. Callum Smith

Source: WBC

16/03/2023

WBC orders Artur Beterbiev to defend vs. Callum Smith

The WBC has ordered its light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev (pictured), to make a mandatory defense against former two-belt super middleweight champion Callum Smith. If a voluntary agreement is not reached before April 11th, a purse bid will be scheduled. Beterbiev also holds the IBF and WBO titles. In his most recent bout, Beterbiev knocked out Anthony Yarde in the eighth rounds of a fight of the year candidate, while Smith comes from knocking Mathieu Bauderlique out in the fourth round of a WBC elimination bout.