It is finally on Saturday, January 13 that Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith will come to blows at the Videotron Center in Quebec.
Originally scheduled for August 19, the three-time Light Heavyweight World Championship had to be moved due to emergency dental surgery Beterbiev underwent on July 30.
This intervention ensures that Beterbiev cannot receive blows to the jaw for the next two to four months.
Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) will then attempt to defend his World Boxing Council (WBC), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) 175-pound titles against Smith (29-1, 21 KOs). The Briton is the No. 1 contender in the WBC, No. 2 in the WBO and No. 4 in the IBF.
Eye of the Tiger Management President Camille Estephan briefly mused the event, produced in conjunction with Top Rank, without the main event. However, he quickly forgot about this idea, deeming it unacceptable to reduce the announced offer to the more than 6,300 ticket holders.
The event, which will air simultaneously on ESPN and PunchingGrace.com, is expected to feature a different undercard than previously planned, however.
Ticket holders can keep them for the evening of January 13, 2024 or get a refund at their point of purchase.