WBO, WBC and IBF light heavyweight champion Arthur Beterbiev told he was ready to have a unification fight with the owner of the WBA belt Dmitry Bivol even a month after Ramadan, but this side no longer made contact.
Thanks to Beterbiev, 38, 19 victories in the professional ring (all by knockout). The Russian, who also has Canadian nationality, will fight in Quebec on August 19 with the WBC mandatory challenger Briton Callum Smith (29-1, KO 21). The Russian boxer Bivol has 21 victories (11 by KO).
– Let me express my opinion: I think that the duel with Bivol, unfortunately, will never be organized.
“That’s not my reason. About a month after this fight (with Yarde), in February, my promoters contacted me and informed me of the date proposed by the other camp, which is very embarrassing for me. It is about a month after Ramadan. As I understand it, I was specifically given such conditions. Maybe they thought I would refuse.
I don’t train during Ramadan. And I would have to prepare in 5-6 weeks, these are difficult conditions. But even so, I said, “Forward.” Only, they got lost somewhere… Their side made a proposal.
– Well, you still believe in the organization of your meeting?
“I don’t think about it at all.
In his place… He must want this fight. Only this fight. But I don’t live this fight. I live an ordinary life. It’s simple for me – if I can hold my belts, I’ll do it as much as possible. If I can’t, no problem. I am not eternal,” Beterbiev told .
Watch live broadcasts of boxing evenings at tournaments in 2023 on the federal channel and thematic channels of the holding, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
