08 Aug UNIFIED LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BETERBIEV VS. SMITH POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY 13, 2024
Following the announcement of the postponement of the event scheduled for August 19, featuring the unified WBC, WBO, and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev against British challenger Callum Smith in a unification bout, Eye of the Tiger and Top Rank confirm that the fight will now take place on Saturday, January 13, 2024. The event, set to be held at Centre Videotron as originally planned, will be broadcast simultaneously on ESPN and Punching Grace.
Due to the emergency dental surgery Artur Beterbiev underwent on Sunday, July 31, preventing him from taking blows to the jaw for 2 to 4 months, it was impossible for the Quebec-based team to consider a closer rescheduling date. For Eye of the Tiger’s president, Camille Estephan, presenting the event without its headliner was inconceivable, so they decided to postpone the gala:
“With over 6300 tickets already sold, just two weeks away from the event, and considering the implications of cancelation, we evaluated the possibility of going ahead without Artur. However, out of respect for our fans, we deemed it necessary not to compromise the event’s quality without its highly anticipated main event, for which people have paid. We are immensely grateful and proud that so many Quebecers have shown their support, proving that Quebec has nothing to envy from the greatest boxing cities worldwide.”
“It’s a few months later than originally planned, but I am thrilled that Artur Beterbiev will have a chance to defend his titles in front of the incredible Quebec City fans,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Artur has a clean bill of health, and I know Callum, a supremely talented former champion, will be at his best on January 13th.”
Eye of the Tiger thus invites boxing enthusiasts from all over the province to attend one of the most crucial fights for Quebec boxing in recent years and support their champion, Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs), in his defense of the WBC, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles against Callum Smith (29-1, 21 KOs). An evening that promises to be historic, featuring several other fighters from the Eye of the Tiger stable in the undercard. Details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The ticket holders have the option to either keep the tickets they purchased and retain the previously selected seats, or get a refund. The refund option will be available via the Ticketmaster account of the person who purchased the tickets. In the case of a ticket transfer, the original purchaser will have to proceed with the refund request. Any refund requests made after this deadline will be denied. For any questions, contact the ticket office at Centre Vidéotron at 1-877-658-9866 or maria@eottm.com.
Tickets for the #BeterbievSmith gala on January 13, 2024, at Centre Videotron are available for purchase on the www.ticketmaster.ca network. For more information, follow EOTTM on Facebook and Instagram @eottm_boxing, as well as on “X” (Twitter) @eottm11, or subscribe to the #EOTTMARMY newsletter by filling out the online form.