Callum Smith proved to be no challenge for unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs), in Quebec City on Saturday, suffering his first and second career knockdowns before the fight was stopped in the seventh.
The fight came to a dramatic conclusion following successive knockdowns when Smith’s trainer, Buddy McGirt, jumped into the ring to stop the fight.
Smith was hoping to become a world champion in a second division after previously holding titles at super middleweight, but the Liverpool native was simply outperformed.
Beterbiev landed 182 punches compared to Smith’s 59, with a significant 87-31 advantage on power punches.