Artur Beterbiev has a date with destiny, as an undisputed light heavyweight title fight against Dmitry Bivol could take place in 2024. However, Callum Smith looks to crash the party as he challenges Beterbiev for the IBF, WBC, and WBO belts on January 13. The fight airs on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Beterbiev (19-0) turned pro in 2013. He has held light heavyweight gold since 2017 and has won all fights via knockout. The 38-year-old has decimated the competition, with nobody coming close to taking him down.
A former super middleweight champion, Smith (29-1) turned pro in 2012. After Canelo Alvarez beat him, Smith joined light heavyweight and has gone 2-0 with two knockout wins. While he will be the underdog, the 33-year-old believes he can be the one to find a hole in Beterbiev’s armor.
"People make out he’s this beast. Part of him is 19 fights with 19 knockouts. He’s got a great record, and his achievements speak for themselves, but he has been hurt twice, and he does get hit quite a bit," Smith told Boxing Social via Boxing Scene. "He’s not an elusive, hard-to-hit fighter. I do see ways in which I believe I can win. If somebody’s there for me to hit, I definitely believe I can hurt them, and when I’ve seen other fighters hurt them, I definitely believe I can do the same.
"I’m going over there with the full belief that if I catch him, I hurt him, and if I hurt him, I believe I can get rid of him."
Another world title fight is booked outside the main event while several young fighters look to impress. Here’s a breakdown of the entire Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith undercard.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith undercard
Jason Moloney vs. Saul Sanchez
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Moloney record: 26-2
- Sanchez record: 20-2
- Belts at stake: WBO bantamweight title
Jason Moloney defends the WBO bantamweight title against Saul Sanchez.
Moloney (26-2) turned pro in 2014. The Aussie beat Immanuel Naidjala in 2018 for the Commonwealth bantamweight title. He lost the first fight of his career that year, facing Emmanuel Rodriguez for the IBF bantamweight title. Following a four-fight win streak, Moloney fought for gold again, losing against Naoya Inoue in 2020 for the IBF bantamweight belt. Moloney has since won five straight, including a win against Vincent Astrolabio in May for the WBO bantamweight belt.
Sanchez (20-2) turned pro in 2016. "The Beast" lost against Eros Correa in 2022 and has since won two in a row, with his last contest being a unanimous decision win in October against RV Deniega. He has twelve wins via knockout.
Christian Mbilli vs. Rohan Murdock
- Division/Weight: Super Middleweight
- Mbilli record: 25-0
- Murdock record: 27-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Christian Mbilli faces Rohan Murdock.
Mbilli (25-0) turned pro in 2017. "Solide" won two fights in 2023, his last contest being a knockout win in September against Demond Nicholson. He's won all but four contests via knockout.
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Murdock (27-2) turned pro in 2010. After losing a fight in 2011, he went on a 22-fight win streak. The Aussie's streak came to an end in 2020 against Zach Parker. Since then, he has won three in a row, his last contest being a split decision win in March against Issac Hardman.
Imam Khataev vs. Rodolfo Gomez Jr.
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Khataev record: 5-0
- Gomez record: 14-7-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
On the ESPN+ prelims, Imam Khataev faces Rodolfo Gomez Jr.
A bronze medalist in the 2020 Olympics, Khataev (5-0) turned pro in 2021. The Russian has won all his contests via knockout, his last fight in November against Fernando Galvan.
Gomez (14-7-3) turned pro in 2008. "Cobrita" is 1-3-2 in his last six fights. His last contest was a unanimous decision loss in June against Ahmed Elbiali for the NABF light heavyweight title.
Christopher Guerrero vs. Sergio Garcia Herrera
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Guerrero record: 9-0
- Herrera record: 7-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Christopher Guerrero vs. Sergio Garcia Herrera.
Guerrero (9-0) turned pro in 2021. The 22-year-old won four fights in 2023, all via knockout. His last contest was a TKO win in October against Jose Lopez.
Herrera (7-3) turned pro in 2018. "Cheko" is 3-2 in his last five fights, his last contest being a loss in October against Andre Lambe.
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Mehmet Unal vs. Dragan Lepei
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Unal record: 7-0
- Lepei record: 22-6-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Mehmet Unal faces Dragan Lepei.
Unal (7-0) is a former kickboxer, winning bronze in the K-1 2012 WAKO European Senior Kickboxing Championships. He joined boxing in 2021. The Turkish fighter last competed in November, beating Jaime Hernandez Lopez via retirement.
Lepei (22-6-2) turned pro in 2013. The Italian fighter is 2-2 in his last four contests. His last fight was a points loss in October against Adriano Sperandio.
Leila Beaudoin vs. Elizabeth Chavez Espinoza
- Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
- Beaudoin record: 10-1
- Espinoza record: 4-5-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Also on the card is Leila Beaudoin vs. Elizabeth Chavez Espinoza.
Beaudoin (10-1) turned pro in 2019. The Canadian lost against Elizabeth Chavez Espinoza in May and got back on track with a win in October against Estrella Valverde.
Espinoza (4-5-3) turned pro in 2017. "La Bonita" is 1-1-1 in her last three fights, her last contest being a loss in November against Camilla Panatta.
Moreno Fendero vs. Victor Hugo Flores
- Division/Weight: Super Middleweight
- Fendero record: 2-0
- Flores record: 7-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Moreno Fendero faces Victor Hugo Flores in super middleweight action.
Fendero (2-0) turned pro in September. He last fought in November, beating Cristian Lopez Lozano via TKO.
Flores (7-2) turned pro in 2017. "Corbe" had his four-fight win streak end in December, losing against John Michael Bianco.
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Wilkens Mathieu vs. TBA
- Division/Weight: Super Middleweight
- Mathieu record: 5-0
- TBA record: N/A
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Wilkens Mathieu faces an opponent TBA.
Mathieu (5-0) turned pro in February 2023. His last fight was a unanimous decision win in November against Grzegorz Mardyla.
What time is Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith today?
The Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith card begins at 10 p.m. ET. Here's how that translates to different timezones globally:
| Region | Date | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
| USA and Canada (ET) | Saturday, January 13 | 10 p.m. ET | 12 a.m. ET |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, January 13 | 7 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. ET |
| UK and Ireland | Sunday, January 14 | 3 a.m. GMT | 5 a.m. GMT |
| Australia | Sunday, January 14 | 2 p.m. AEDT | 4 p.m. AEDT |
MORE: Watch Beterbiev vs. Smith, live only on ESPN+
How to watch Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith: TV channel, live stream
Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith is live on ESPN+ in the U.S.
| Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
| USA | ESPN | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | TSN+ |
| UK and Ireland | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Arena | Sky GO |
| Australia | — | TBC |
Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith price: How much does the fight cost?
You can pay $10.99 for a monthly subscription to ESPN+ or buy an annual subscription for $109.99.
| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $10.99/mo |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $109.99/yr |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $14.99/mo |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $24.99/mo |
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