Arthur Beterbiev, the current world light heavyweight champion according to WBC, WBO, IBF, recalled the knockdown he suffered during a fight with Callum Johnson.
Callum Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs) had already hung up his gloves, but was the closest to defeating Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), when he was able to send the Russian to the floor in the second round with a left hook in their fight in 2018, but then lost ahead of schedule in the fourth round. This weekend, the IBF, WBC and WBO light heavyweight champion will face Anthony Yardom (23-2, 22 KOs), mandatory contender for the WBO title.
Frank Warren won a promotional bid to set up a bout for the vacant European light heavyweight title between Joshua Buatsy (16-0, 13 KOs) and Callum Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs). However, the chances that such a duel will take place are small.
Callum Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs) tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be able to enter the ring with Joe Smith Jr. (27-3, 21 KOs) in a duel scheduled for January 15th. The WBO light heavyweight champion team is now looking for a new contender for this date.
WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Joe Smith Jr. (27-3, 21 KOs) will face Callum Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs) in Verona on 15 January in his first belt defense. If Smith wins, he promises to aim for a unification bout with the IBF and WBC champion Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KO). However, according to Smith Jr., the Russian has avoided this fight in the past and will continue to do so.