Artur Beterbiev stops Joe Smith Jr inside two rounds to win world light-heavyweight unification bout | Boxing News

Artur Beterbiev ruthlessly demolished Joe Smith Jr within two rounds at Madison Square Back garden to insert the WBO gentle-heavyweight title to his IBF and WBC belts.

Beterbiev dropped his opponent a few situations in advance of referee Harvey Dock known as a halt to the a person-sided contest and confirmed victory for the challenging-hitting Russian-born Canadian.

Only Dmitry Bivol, who holds the WBA model of the light-weight-heavyweight title, now stands in the way of a thoroughly clean sweep of the division for the undefeated 37-year-old.

“I wanted to be a superior boxer now,” reported Beterbiev, who prolonged his professional history to 18 knockouts from 18. “That is why I was a small little bit far better than I was in the past.

“Joe is a tiny little bit open and it was additional straightforward for me to get him. It was two fighters who the two have a good punch and the two were being hoping to get there initial.

“This time, I received fortunate and bought him initially. Unification fights are additional interesting, additional motivating – I want to be undisputed.”

Smith, who went into the ring with a 28-3 record, was stopped for only the 2nd time in his profession as his defence proved insufficient to repel Beterbiev’s electricity.

A barrage of large appropriate fingers identified their mark in the opening round, with one particular sending Smith on to one particular knee just prior to the bell.

Smith sprang back again up following taking a very similar shot early in the 2nd, but he was then despatched sprawling into the ropes by a left quickly afterwards.

Left and appropriate uppercuts followed in the wake of the 3rd knockdown and when Smith was wobbled once more by a further suitable that landed on the back of his head, the referee stepped in with 41 seconds remaining in the round.