Photo by Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images
Watch how Artur Beterbiev became the WBC and IBF light heavyweight champion of the world.
Whether it’s the amateurs or the pros, Artur Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) has Oleksandr Gvozdyk’s (17-1, 14 KOs) number.
In a highly anticipated light heavyweight unification clash, the Russian stopped Gvozdyk in the 10th round to become the new WBC light heavyweight champion, in addition to defending his IBF title. As a unified champion, Beterbiev has the strongest case out of any to be the #1 fighter at 175 lbs. Ten years ago, he stopped Gvozdyk as an amateur, and now history repeats itself in a higher stakes matchup.
It was a great bout that saw Gvozdyk ahead on two of the three scorecards, but Beterbiev’s brilliant body attack broke the Ukrainian down steadily until he was noticeably hurt in the ninth round. The punishment continued into the next round, after which three knockdowns ended the contest. All four major belts at 175 lbs now belong to Russian boxers, with Sergey Kovalev (WBO) and Dmitry Bivol (WBA) holding the other titles.
Watch the finish below from a man who is one of the hardest punchers in all of boxing, as well as a good friend of Georges St-Pierre.
Beterbiev called FIGHT in Round
After going the distance, an overwhelming 10th round made Beterbiev THE man to beat in the Light Heavyweight division. #BeterbievNail pic.twitter.com/zk90hcmGcp
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 19, 2019