Callum Smith Scores Third Round TKO Of Hassan N'Dam At MSG

Madison Square Garden pulsed with raw energy on June 1, 2019, as Liverpool’s Callum Smith, the WBA super middleweight champion, faced Cameroon-born Frenchman Hassan N’Dam in his first title defence on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight clash with Andy Ruiz Jr. Smith, entering with an unblemished 25-0 (18 KOs) record, had claimed the title and the World Boxing Super Series crown with a seventh-round knockout of George Groves in September 2018. N’Dam, a 37-3 (21 KOs) former middleweight champion, stepped up to 168 pounds, his resilience proven in a recent majority decision win over Martin Murray. The 12,357-strong crowd, buzzing with anticipation for Joshua’s U.S. debut, roared as Smith, a towering 6’3” figure, entered to chants of “Mundo,” his nickname echoing through the iconic venue. The stakes were high: Smith aimed to solidify his claim as the division’s best, eyeing a future showdown with Canelo Alvarez, while N’Dam sought to defy the odds and capture a second world title in a new weight class on DAZN’s global stage.

The opening round set a brutal tone, with Smith’s size and power overwhelming N’Dam from the start. The 29-year-old Brit, leveraging his 4-inch height advantage and 78-inch reach, stalked the 35-year-old challenger, landing a crushing left hook with 24 seconds left that sent N’Dam to the canvas. N’Dam, known for his iron will, beat the count by five but was visibly disoriented. Smith’s jab and follow-up hooks dominated, outlanding N’Dam 50-12 overall and showing his early control.

N’Dam’s attempt to counter with quick jabs, but his footwork faltered against Smith’s relentless pressure, his awkward style no match for the champion’s precision. The Garden crowd, still reeling from Liverpool’s Champions League triumph earlier that day, erupted as Smith’s power shots landed, their chants amplifying the electric atmosphere.
The second round saw N’Dam’s resilience tested again. Just 30 seconds in, another left hook from Smith dropped the Frenchman, who scrambled to his feet, his balance betraying him.

N’Dam’s experience as a former WBA middleweight champion shone through as he survived the round, landing a few sharp counters, including a right hand that briefly caught Smith’s attention. However, Smith’s dominance was evident, as his varied attacks and hooks to body and head kept N’Dam defensive.

The crowd’s energy surged, sensing the end, as Smith’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, urged him to close the show. N’Dam’s heart, lauded by fans, kept him upright, but his legs wobbled under Smith’s relentless assault.

The third round delivered the decisive blow. N’Dam, showing the stubbornness that defined his career, had his best moments early, landing a flurry that briefly quieted the crowd. But Smith, unfazed, countered with a monstrous right hand that floored N’Dam, his head cracking against the canvas. Though N’Dam rose, his unsteady legs prompted referee Charlie Fitch to halt the bout at 2:56, a call praised as merciful.

The stoppage, Smith’s 19th knockout, sent the Garden into a frenzy, with fans chanting “Mundo” as he celebrated his first title defence. “I felt good. It felt good to be back in there,” Smith said post-fight. 
The judges’ scores at the stoppage, Glenn Feldman, Kevin Morgan, and Steve Weisfeld all at 20-16, reflected Smith’s command, as N’Dam was unable to find an answer to the champion’s power.
N’Dam, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Smith’s prowess: “He’s a great fighter, powerful.” The knockout, a highlight-reel finish, underscored Smith’s dominance, though some, like @MatchroomBoxing on X, noted N’Dam’s courage in stepping up.

The victory moved Smith to 26-0 (19 KOs), cementing his status as the super middleweight division’s top dog, with promoter Eddie Hearn touting a potential Canelo clash. N’Dam, now 37-4 (21 KOs), saw his 14-fight win streak end but earned respect for his durability, having survived 11 career knockdowns. The fight, while one-sided, highlighted Smith’s ability to exploit physical advantages, his 50-12 punch advantage a testament to his precision. Critics questioned the matchmaking, noting N’Dam’s middleweight roots, but Smith’s performance silenced doubters, his power too much for the smaller man. The event, part of a stacked DAZN card with Katie Taylor’s win over Delfine Persoon, drew global attention, with Madison Square Garden’s storied aura amplifying the drama. For Liverpool fans, it was a double celebration, as Smith’s win followed their football club’s triumph.

For N’Dam, the loss underscored the challenge of moving up against a natural super middleweight, as his speed was unable to counter Smith’s power, as he had predicted pre-fight. The Garden, a hallowed venue, provided a fitting stage, its atmosphere electric with anticipation and celebration. Smith’s win set the stage for future challenges against Canelo and Billy Joe Saunders, among others, while N’Dam’s valiant effort added to his legacy as a fearless competitor.