Russian Artur Beterbiev (19-0, KO 19), WBO, WBC and IBF light heavyweight champion, will face on August 19 in Quebec, Canada, the British mandatory challenger WBC Callum Smith (29-1, KO 21).
After the official announcement of this fight, Beterbiev spoke to . From the interview you can learn:
“BUT I DIDN’T WATCH CALLUM SMITH’S FIGHTS”
– Arthur, you finally got the date of the fight. Take a breather?
– Well yes. No job is bad.
– You haven’t been out of work for that long – the last fight was at the end of January, when Anthony Yarde was beaten earlier than expected in London.
– Yes yes.
– What is the optimal number of fights per year for you?
Three would be good.
“That is to say, this year you have every chance of complying with this plan. The fight is in January, now it’s August, and the third is at the end of the year. Tell us about your preparation for the fight with Callum Smith.
– Everything is as usual. We’re just going to do a few moments specifically for the opponent. And in general, the preparation will be the same. Why change something if it’s good?
– “Not bad”? 19 first victories in 19 fights in the professional ring. When do you say you are “good”?
When I become a good boxer.
– In general, you do not make cardinal changes in the formation.
– I make adjustments, but no cardinals.
How would you characterize Callum Smith?
– I know he’s a great boxer, he lost against Canelo. But I haven’t watched his fights yet.
“I’LL BETTER WATCH AN INTERESTING FILM THAN BOXING”
– Smith’s name as a rival has been featured for a long time.
– I study the rivals after signing the contract. Before signing… If I liked this sport, I would watch the fights. And so I’d rather watch an interesting movie than boxing.
When did you stop loving boxing?
– I think that after the Olympics (as an amateur, Beterbiev became the 2009 world champion, the silver medalist of the 2007 world championships, the double European champion in 2006 and 2010, and also twice participated in the Olympics in 2008 (he finished his performance in the 1/8 finals) and 2012 (in the quarter-finals) – “”).
– Has the non-sporting component influenced this attitude?
– After London, I was not going to continue boxing. The promoters just insisted. There were proposals from Canada, the United States and Germany. And to be honest, I’ve eaten this Olympic sport before. I was already considered old at that time – 28 years old. And then there were the age restrictions, which are now lifted (up to 40).
– You are still an experienced boxer for professionals. You are 38 years old.
— I have simple criteria. I tell my coaches about it, and I myself understand boxing a little … There are certain exercises and we compare them with what was happening, for example, about two years ago. We have our indicators. And even if everything is fine, there are no negative dynamics.
– What should happen to you spending the evening watching a boxing match without the participation of your future opponent?
Why should I watch? We invite coach John Scully, he works with us on the team. And now, he’s a fan, when he starts talking about a boxer… And he asks me: “Do you know him?” Receiving a negative answer, he is shocked: “What do you mean, you don’t know him? (Laughs). I know Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson.
What about modern champions?
– Certainly. Gennady Golovkin, Canelo, Tyson Fury, had known (Anthony) Joshua for a while.
– “For a while”. So now Joshua isn’t interested?
– The guy jumped a little.
– As far as I know you watched Tyson Fury’s last fight in London against Derek Chisora in December last year. Was it necessary to do it because during the tournament you had a duel of views with Yarde?
— It was cold, but there were 50,000 to 60,000 people in the stadium. And they put on a great show.
“THE BIVOL TEAM HAS PROPOSED A FIGHT ALTERNATELY AFTER RAMADAN. I SAID GO. ONLY THEY GOT LOST SOMEWHERE”
Are you often asked about retirement?
“I would ask anyone to answer this question for me, if anyone knew. I don’t know. How can I answer such a question?
I don’t have plans like, “Have a fight or two and…” We’ll watch. It’s all in the hands of the Almighty, and you’re just trying to do something right. And then… As the Almighty gives, so be it.
– Believe that your fight for the title of absolute world champion…
– With your favorite boxer?
– Do you believe that your fight with Bivol will always take place? Let me express my opinion – I think that this duel, unfortunately, will never be organized.
“That’s not my reason. About a month after this fight (with Yard) – in February – my promoters contacted me and told me about the date proposed by the other side, 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 I said, “Go ahead.” Only they got lost somewhere… Their own side made a proposal.
– Well, you still believe in the organization of your meeting with Bivol?
“I don’t think about it at all.
– What do you think of the statements of many titled Russian boxers in the category: “Why should our compatriots fight, let everything remain as it is”?
“Maybe I’ll say that too.” I am also not a fan of boxing with ours. But we have such a situation. If we want to identify a good boxer, then we have to fight for unification. Which problems? We’re just going to get in the ring for a 12 round fight and try to show some great boxing.
Going back to the statements made, I do not think that these boxers, having three belts under their belts, did not want to box and gave up the opportunity to win the fourth. And, accordingly, having one, try to get three more. Well, by the way, the second option for some would be more appealing. Is it more difficult to win and hold three belts than to hold one?
– Based on mathematical considerations – yes.
– Don’t answer, you’re not a boxer.
– I repeat my thought – I do not believe in the organization of your fight.
“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 belt, I’ll do it for as long as possible. If I can’t, no problem. I am not eternal.
***
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.
