Heavy Rumors for Two Light Heavyweights
By Eddie Sanchez
FIGHT FANS! There is movement in one of the hottest divisions out there, and rumors are in the work as we speak.
No it’s not a done deal yet, but WBC and IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev (17 – 0, 17 KOs) and WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Joe Smith Jr. (28 – 3, 22 KOs) are in talks to stage a unification bout as soon as this summer.
This will be awesome, sick, sweet, A DEVASTATINGLY INTRIGUING fight, and is one that I have clamored for, for the better part of the past year. This has knockout of the year and fight of the year potential people! That is not hyperbole.
Fortunately for us fight fans, two potential hurdles are less likely to be an issue. (1) Both men are co-promoted by Top Rank, so Bob Arum can move forward in good faith to get something cooking that benefits both fighters. (2) Both men fight on ESPN — meaning, we have no holdup in regards to where this fight will be broadcast in the United States.
Currently, the major hurdle that still needs to be crossed is the issue of compensation in Joe Smith Jr.’s corner. According to ESPN’s top Analyst Mike Coppinger, Joe Smith Jr. would like $1.8 million, while the current reported offer from Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing is a reported $1.5 million.
In the grand scheme of things, working out a solution for a $300,000 difference between two sides is a relatively small feat in the sport of boxing with context. Considering that this fight will create a champion that will own three of the four major belts — and is in a weight division that could attract a Canelo Alvarez super-fight — that extra $300,000 sounds like a bargain-bin investment to ensure that Canelo has no reason to NOT want this fight.
Another interesting nugget for this potential bout is the rumored location. It’s reported that New York’s Madison Square Garden could host this fight. If this fight is scheduled in the the Mecca of Sports in North America, then MSG will have two of the most anticipate bouts in 2022 within a few months of each other. The other being the super-fight between Amanda Serrano-vs-Katie Taylor bout. WOW, that sounds like an awesome lineup of fights for Manhattan.
Specific to the topic at hand, both men are performing admirably as of late. Beterbiev of course in the only current champion that is undefeated with knockout victories in each bout, while Joe Smith Jr. is the definition of a grinder who is seemingly still improving his abilities as he has won his last four fights.
This is the perfect timing for this magnitude of a bout. Joe Smith Jr. has had some tough luck as it relates to COVID and Artur Beterbiev similarly has had his own difficulties with staying active.
All will be forgiven… and then some if this deal gets done. All eyes are on Bob Arum and company eagerly waiting to confirm whether this fight gets confirmed. In the meantime, check out the highlights from their last respective fights below.
