Highlights: Artur Beterbiev destroys Joe Smith Jr. in 2 rounds

Unified WBO, WBC, and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev. | Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Three belts were on the line. Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith Jr. faced off in a light heavyweight title unification, Satur…


Unified WBO, WBC, and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.
Unified WBO, WBC, and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev. | Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Three belts were on the line.

Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith Jr. faced off in a light heavyweight title unification, Saturday night in New York. Beterbiev came in undefeated with the with the WBC and IBF titles, while Smith entered the contest as the WBO champion.

Both men have reputations as hard punchers, but the knockout artist in Beterbiev clearly had the heavier hands and he went home with those three light heavyweight belts. Beterbiev scored a knockdown late in the opening round, and twice again soon after the second round started. He wobbled him again moments later, prompting the referee to mercifully put a stop in the action.

With the quick victory, Beterbiev improves his record to 18-0 and continues his insane 100% KO rate, as every single one of those wins have come by stoppage.

Official result: Artur Beterbiev def. Joe Smith Jr. by TKO, 2:19 of round 2.

Watch highlights from the bout below: