Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Results as champion drops and stops Briton in round seven

Follow the fallout after Artur Beterbiev retained the unified light-heavyweight titles against Callum Smith

Cristiano Ronaldo's awkward reaction Conor McGregor

Artur Beterbiev retained the unified light-heavyweight titles with a brutal finish of Callum Smith on Saturday night, setting up a tantalising clash with Dmity Bivol.

Smith had his moments and took on his corner’s advice to target the body of Beterbiev, but the champion remained unfazed, built momentum across six rounds, and turned up the pressure in round seven.

In that frame, the Russian overwhelmed Smith against the ropes, producing an onslaught that saw him hurt the Briton with numerous right hands. Eventually Smith lolloped to the canvas after a left, and though he was able to beat the referee’s count, he was soon put down again as Beterbiev maintained his barrage.

Once more, Smith rose to his feet, but the Liverpudlian’s trainer Buddy McGirt entered the ring to call an end to the contest, sparing his fighter further punishment. Beterbiev, 38, sunk to his knees in emotion, as he celebrated retaining the WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight titles. The result also improved the veteran’s record to 20-0 with 20 knockouts, and it sets up an intriguing bout with WBA champion Bivol.

Re-live updates from Beterbiev vs Smith and the undercard fights, below.

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE

• Artur Beterbiev stopped Callum Smith in round seven to retain unified light-heavyweight titles
• Russian dropped Smith twice before Liverpudlian’s coach called off the contest
• Beterbiev remains unbeaten with 20 KOs from 20 fights, sets up intriguing clash with Dmitry Bivol

[14 January 2024 04:37 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Main event

Round 3

“Don’t let him box,” is the message from Beterbiev’s corner.

Smith presses forward and sees a cross blocked. Stinging jab from Beterbiev. Smith targets the body with a right hook.

Decent counter left hook by Smith now, as Beterbiev applies some more pressure. Smith with a left hook to the body then one to the head. He’s warned to make sure he doesn’t go too low with his body shots.

Another stiff jab by Beterbiev, who then backs up Smith and tries for a couple of hooks. Good head movement from Smith, though.

Beterbiev hammers a couple of short right hooks at Smith from close range.

[14 January 2024 04:33 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Main event

Round 2

Both fighters utilise their jabs well early in round two. Smith takes the centre of the ring but doesn’t build upon the position with much output.

Hard right cross to the body by Beterbiev. Smith with an uppercut to the body in retaliation. A right hook misses for Beterbiev, and Smith comes back with a decent combination.

Accurate jabs for Beterbiev late in the round, before each man lands a solid hook. Eddie Hearn is pleased with what he’s seeing from ringside.

[14 January 2024 04:29 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Main event

Round 1

Both men stand orthodox. Beterbiev gets after Smith immediately, shoving the Liverpudlian then swarming him against the ropes. Smith absorbs a decent hook in that flurry, but he’s able to stay composed and eventually get away.

Now it’s the Liverpudlian’s turn to throw. He gets behind the jab and then adds a couple of crosses.

Smith is briefly backed up but manages to jab his way back to the centre of the ring. A right straight slides past Beterbiev’s guard.

Now Smith targets the body. This is an encouraging spell from him. Lots of straight shots from the Briton at the moment.

Beterbiev comes forward now, with two hooks to the body – one off each wing. He repeats the attack, before Smith lands a grazing counter hook to the head.

[14 January 2024 04:26 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Main event

Okay, people... Here we go! Twelve rounds scheduled, unified light-heavyweight titles on the line!

First bell sounds!

[14 January 2024 04:19 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Main-event ring walks

Smith makes his way to the ring first! Some boos for the Briton, who wastes no time in getting through the arena.

A much more positive reaction as Beterbiev, who fights out of Canada, makes his walk now. He also wastes little time in getting to the ring.

The main event is just minutes away...

[14 January 2024 04:10 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Main-event incoming

Smith will have a five-inch reach advantage and four-inch height advantage, if Beterbiev’s 5ft11in frame is an accurate measurement – which Sky Sports have disputed, saying he may be shorter!

[14 January 2024 04:06 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Main-event incoming

One fight left tonight... and it’s Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith!

Beterbiev has a pro record of 19-0 with 19 knockouts, while Smith is 29-1 with 21 KOs.

Smith’s sole pro loss came in 2020, when the Liverpudlian was outpointed by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Smith, 33, has since left the super-middleweight division, where he was previously a world champion, and gone 2-0 at light-heavyweight.

Those two stoppage wins have brought him to Beterbiev, 38, who holds the WBC, WBO and IBF titles.

The Russian, who fights out of Canada, returned an atypical drug-test result in December – though it was only revealed this week – but he has since tested negative and been cleared to fight.

Both men may suffer from a little ring rust tonight; Smith last fought in August 2022, while Beterbiev last competed 12 months ago. The pair were due to clash last summer, but the bout was delayed when Beterbiev suffered a jaw infection.

The main-event ring walks are coming up shortly...

Callum Smith (left) challenges light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (Getty Images)

[14 January 2024 03:54 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Christian Mbilli vs Rohan Murdock

Murdock’s corner are not letting him back out for round seven! A wise call. He was resilient and game, but he was losing that fight and absorbing a lot of punishment, for as much as he landed.

Mbilli gets the TKO after six rounds.

[14 January 2024 03:53 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Christian Mbilli vs Rohan Murdock

Round 6

It *seemed* that Murdock’s corner told him they’d pull him out of this fight if he ends up in that kind of trouble again.

Murdock is on the back foot but still throwing punches. He eats a trio of jabs, though. More good jabs from Mbilli.

Murdock with a good spell now, and he has Mbilli stumbling off balance with a right hook. The Canadian comes back well, though.

[14 January 2024 03:49 · Alex Pattle]

Beterbiev vs Smith LIVE: Christian Mbilli vs Rohan Murdock

Round 5

Again Murdock finds himself trapped against the ropes. He circles away to his left, but he can’t get Mbilli off him.

Murdock has proven himself game and resilient so far, but Mbilli is even more active and is remarkably quick given the power of his output.

Clean right hook to the head by Mbilli, before Murdock holds. Mbilli steps off to the right and unloads. Then he does the same but going left this time.

Right uppercut and hook by Mbilli! They land clean, and Murdock’s defence falters,,, Mbilli backs him up and looks for a finish!

Murdock’s hands are low, he’s eating clean shots, but he just about makes it to the bill!