Artur Beterbiev closes in on Dmitry Bivol bout in Riyadh after demolishing Callum Smith

Artur Beterbiev stayed on course for a mouth-watering fight against Dmitry Bivol in Saudi Arabia after brutally stopping Callum Smith in the seventh round on Saturday.

The former Russian Olympian, now fighting out of Canada, secured his 20th knockout in as many fights to retain his WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight crowns in Quebec City. He was ahead 58-56, 58-56, and 59-55 when the fight was stopped.

Beterbiev floored his British challenger twice in the seventh round before Smith's corner entered ring and asked referee Michael Griffin to call off the contest.

The 38-year-old's latest impressive victory sets up a potential unification bout against fellow Russian and WBA champion Bivol (22-0 with 11 knockouts) in Riyadh later this year.

“I need a fourth belt. It would mean in this category I have done my work,” said Beterbiev, who aims to become the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is confident Beterbiev-Bivol will take place in the Saudi capital this summer. “It's not done yet,” he said in the ring after the fight. “But absolutely we want to do it. I'll be talking to my friend His Excellency [Saudi Advisor] Turki Alalshikh.

“I know he wants to do it, but Ramadan is coming. So, about three months after the end Ramadan we'll be ready to fight Dmitry Bivol, probably in Riyadh.”

Smith went into the bout having never been stopped in his professional career but the former super-middleweight champion fell to only the second defeat in 31 fights.

The bout was due to take place last August but was postponed after a bone infection required Beterbiev to have jaw surgery.

Beterbiev, who won his first world title in 2017, defended the three titles for the second time, having