In order to retain his light-heavyweight belts at the WBC, IBF, and WBO, the Russian methodically destroyed Smith.
Before the 33-year-old Smith’s team removed him from the fight, he twice floored the challenger in the eighth.
“I believe it’s due to serendipity,” 38-year-old Beterbiev stated modestly.
Having stopped all 20 of his professional opponents at a distance to preserve his perfect record, he is now aiming for a unification bout against fellow Russian and WBA champion Dmitry Bivol.
“I require one more belt. “It would indicate that I have fulfilled my duties in this division,” Beterbiev stated. He aspires to become the first unchallenged light-heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
For the first time in his professional career, Smith—the former super-middleweight champion—was stopped, marking his second loss in 31 fights.
