QUEBEC | Artur Beterbiev thrilled a record crowd of 10,031 spectators at the Videotron Center on Saturday evening by convincingly defending his combined WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles.
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Methodically, Beterbiev (20-0-0, 20 KOs) manhandled the Englishman Callum Smith (29-2-1, 21 KOs) and as president of the “Eye of the Tiger Management” and co-organizer of the gala Camille Estephan, it was in the seventh round as he defeated his opponent.
Beterbiev opened the machine when he felt Smith weakening. The Englishman couldn't defend himself on the ropes and was on the ground for the first time after a barrage of punches.
He got up and Beterbiev pounced on him like a wild animal and continued to bombard him until he returned to the mat. Smith's trainer Buddy McGirt then didn't hesitate to throw in the towel and stop the fight two minutes into the seventh round.
Under control
Beterbiev's fights last an average of four rounds. This time we have to be patient, explained coach Marc Ramsay.
“We had to be very orderly because we knew Smith's power. You had to expend as much energy as possible before you could finish the job.”
“I saw a man who was in control of his emotions and I think he reached a new level.”
Beterbiev also didn't expect a quick finish and believes Smith defended well despite the result.
“I never expect anything, I always prepare for 12 rounds. He gave me a good fight.”
Callum Smith went to the mat twice in the seventh round. Courtesy of Eye of the Tiger Management/Vincent Ethier
Big party
This flawless performance from Beterbiev, who turns 39 next week, was the highlight of a very exciting boxing card that unfolded like a crescendo.
The vast majority of the fights were captivating, the fans came and the atmosphere was great.
As previously mentioned, the crowd of 10,031 represented a new record for a boxing gala at the Videotron Center.
The previous mark was from 2015, when 8,624 people attended the clash between Lucian Bute and James DeGale.
Mbilli convinced
Christian Mbilli (26-0-0, 22 KOs) heated up the room for Beterbiev with a flawless performance against Australian Rohan Murdock (27-3-0, 19 KOs), who simply gave up after the sixth round.
In doing so, he retained his WBC Continental Americas super middleweight title and stole the WBA International belt from Murdock.
Mbilli began his work of destruction from the first engagement by charging at his opponent, who immediately found it difficult to contain the French-Canadian's rapid attacks.
From the second round, Mbilli unleashed heavy blows on Murdock, who tried to resist as best he could.
Mbilli's right hook kept finding the target, and Murdock even went so far as to spit his mouthguard into the crowd in the fourth round to get some breathing room.
Mbilli never slowed down and Murdock bought time with his steel chin. He deserves all our respect for standing still during the shootout.
Mbilli is ranked number one in both the WBC and WBA. He is third in the IBF rankings and fifth in the WBO rankings. His rating will only increase after such a clear performance.
Christian Mbilli Courtesy of Eye of the Tiger Management/Vincent Ethier
In your teeth
If Mbilli entered the ring with the knife between his teeth, it was because Murdock motivated him.
“I wanted to correct his comments before the fight. He said he would give me a boxing lesson. I think the opposite was true.”
He also knew that his opponent was exhausting his last reserves before the confrontation was interrupted.
“I ended up going faster on the last lap, but honestly I told myself I would finish him on the next lap. Unfortunately, his corner ended the fight before the end.”
And despite such a performance, Mbilli was not entirely satisfied.
“I wouldn't say I'm happy, I could have done better, I'm still happy, I was given some instructions that I had a little difficulty following.”
Jason Moloney Courtesy of Eye of the Tiger Management/Vincent Ethier
Furious fight
In the first fight of the main card, Jason Moloney (27-2-0, 19 KOs) and Saul Sanchez (20-2-0, 12 KOs) put on quite a show for the fans who followed until the end, especially during the fight 11th and 12th battles, particularly furious with a hail of blows from both sides.
Australia's Moloney retained his WBO bantamweight world title with a split decision (114-114, 116-112, 116-112).
Sanchez, an American, put up a very good fight and the crowd whistled as the result was announced.
Moloney, defending his title for the first time, had a cold. In the third round he was injured in the right eyebrow. He had to push himself to the limit to gain the upper hand over the Californian.