Beterbiev-Smith Rescheduled For Jan 13

Initially scheduled for August 19, the light heavyweight title clash between Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) and Callum Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) now has a new date. The WBC, WBO, and IBF title fight shall now take place on January 13, 2024. Top Rank Boxing made the official announcement earlier today via press release. The location and the site to buy tickets remain the same.

Originally, the bout was to take place on August 19. Top Rank Boxing won the purse bids for the fight and elected to host it in Québec City, Québec, Canada. However, the clash had to be pushed back due to a bone infection to Beterbiev’s jaw. It was determined by medical professionals that Beterbiev would not be able to fight on the original, hence the postponement. As of yet, there is no information on what will become of the undercard fights also scheduled for August 19.

Beterbiev-Smith press release

Here is more from the Top Rank Boxing press release:

WBC/WBO/IBF light heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev now has a date to defend his crown. After recent dental surgery forced Beterbiev to postpone his Aug. 19 title defense against former world champion Callum Smith, the two will now meet Saturday, Jan. 13 at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.

Promoted by Eye of the Tiger and Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets are on sale now via www.ticketmaster.ca.

“It’s a few months later than originally planned, but I am thrilled that Artur Beterbiev will have a chance to defend his titles in front of the incredible Quebec City fans,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Artur has a clean bill of health, and I know Callum, a supremely talented former champion, will be at his best on January 13th.”

“I’m very pleased that the camps came to an agreement quickly, so we can go ahead with this light heavyweight championship super fight,” said Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan. “It’s going to heat up this January in Quebec City.”

Beterbiev, boxing’s only current world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, has made seven title defenses since capturing the IBF strap in November 2017. He is coming off January’s stirring eighth-round TKO over Anthony Yarde in Yarde’s hometown of London. Smith, from Liverpool, England, is the former Ring Magazine and WBA super middleweight world champion. He has won two fights since moving up to light heavyweight following a decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez in December 2020.

The ticket holders have the option to either keep the tickets they purchased and retain the previously selected seats, or get a refund. The refund option will be available via the Ticketmaster account of the person who purchased the tickets. In the case of a ticket transfer, the original purchaser will have to proceed with the refund request. Any refund requests made after this deadline will be denied. For any questions, contact the ticket office at Centre Vidéotron at 1-877-658-9866 or maria@eottm.com.