Artur Beterbiev has brutally knocked out Joe Smith Jr inside two rounds to inch one step further to becoming undisputed champion.
The Russian-Canadian star was looking to add another belt to his collection, having gone into the clash with the WBC and IBF world titles. Beterbiev was simply a class above Smith Jr from the opening bell and rallied to a sensational stoppage victory after three prior knockdowns.
His domination sent an ominous warning message to Yarde who was ringside watching on. The British star assessed the display afterwards claiming that he was confident of becoming champion despite his new rival's domination. "Right now, that's not looking likely. Beterbiev is coming to London, we are going to make it happen," Yarde told reporters after the event. "I think it's going to be very very exciting, this is what I'm in the sport for.
