Beterbiev throttles Smith Jr to unify three light heavyweight title belts

Chechen-born star keeps knockout streak alive with early win

Artur Beterbiev on the attack against Joe Smith Jr during their light heavyweight title bout at Madison Square Garden

World light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev knocked out American rival Joe Smith Jr inside two rounds on Saturday to add the WBO title to his WBC and IBF belts.

The unbeaten 37-year-old Canada-based Russian scored three knockdowns and had Smith in deep trouble with just under a minute remaining in round two before the fight was stopped.