The IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev has confirmed that he is ready to fight with current WBO champion Sergey Kovalev once again this year.
Beterbiev (12-0-0, 12 KOs) captured the vacant IBF title last November when he stopped Germany’s Enrico Koelling in the 12th round at Save Mart Arena, in Fresno.
The 33 year-old boxer, won more than 300 fight as an amateur and twice represented Russia in the Olympics, so when he entered the pro ranks many believed he has was a lock to win a world title.
Beterbiev is still in conflict with his promoter Yvon Michel. The Russian boxer believes his promotional contract has expired, while Yvon Michel claimed that the agreement he agreed with Beterbiev is still valid for another two years.
“I have a legal action with my promoter, and it’s hard for me to comment on these things just because I cannot always get the concrete information.” Beterbiev said.
“I don’t know if his remarks are true that Yvon Michel tries to” book “a fight with Kovalev. I have not received any written proposal.
“It’s not true. Maybe there have been some proposals that have floated in the air, but in professional boxing there are a lot of statements like this and the fact situation in relation to what’s going on, it’s discussed in the backstage,” Beterbiev added.
Russian’s Sergey Kovalev with his belts. (Source:www.hustleboss.com)
However, there is an old conflict between Beterbiev and Kovalev that will have to be settled. In the past, both fighters competed twice in the amateur ranks in Russia.
Beterbiev rejected having declined at any time to take part in a potential fight with Kovalev in 2016. In this regard, the two champions have occasionally provoked provocations in recent years.
Beterbiev claims to have been victorious in both fights, but Kovalev says he was stolen by the so-called corrupt judges every time:
“I will not engage in a verbal war in the public square with him for his attention. He talks a lot, but it’s not my style. I have no hatred towards him. I respect him as an athlete for what he did, but I can not say anything about him as a person.” Beterbiev said.
