The unified light heavyweight champion playing for Canada, Russian Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) does not even allow the thought of underestimating his next opponent – in January in Britain he will box with local slugger Anthony Yarde (23-2, 22 KOs).
“No one knows what will happen in battle, –
reasoning champion. “I think that we will both prepare for the fight 100%. Yard? It’s just work. Who’s next after the Yard? When it’s time to hang up my gloves, I will. But not right now. Maybe in 5 years. Maybe in 10.”
According to Beterbiev, “From early childhood, I liked two boxers – Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali. Yes, they are very different stylistically. They have completely different striking power, but they were the ones I liked then, and I like them now.”
Russian promoter Bob Arum (Top Rank) said when he realized the huge potential that Beterbiev has: “You know, I have been in this business for a very long time. But I have never seen such a solid combination of power and technology. He’s really special. Special power, special technique, special handle.”
“At first I just watched him knock out all the opponents,” recalls Arum. – But after we signed him, we unified him with the WBC champion Alexander Gvozdyk. Then I thought that no one could beat Gvozdyk. And Arthur didn’t just do it. He knocked him out. It was after the fight with Gvozdyk that I said: “This guy is special. The light heavyweight division has never seen anything like it before.”
In the meantime, another contender for Beterbiev will soon be determined: Pascal and Eifert received the date and place of the battle. Meanwhile, Yard’s coach also recalled the ex-champion from Ukraine: I cried. And Gvozdyk explained that Beterbiev is not who they think he is.