The Yvon Michel Group (GYM) and Sauerland Promotion on Wednesday announced the fight between Artur Beterbiev aginst German boxer Enrico Koelling. The two promoters agreed to hold this fight in North America, at a place and date that remains to be determined.
According to the report, the detail of this duel should be known within ten days. Speaking to the media, the GYM president Yvon Michel said that he would like to organize this fight in May but it now appears that it will take place somewhat later, possibly in late June or early July.
“We are very pleased to have found a rival to fight Artur,” Michel told media. “We are very pleased to have finally reached an agreement with Sauderland Promotion. We wish to underline the determination and confidence of Enrico Koelling in his capacities, he who is not fear to cross the ocean to face Artur Beterbiev.” Michel added.
Beterbiev (11-0, 11 KOs), second aspirant of the International Boxing Federation (IBF), he was originally schedule to face Sullivan Barrera on April 21 in Miami, Florida, for the compulsory aspirant position, but with only details of the evening to be refined, the Cuban refused to face the Russian. It has since been suspended buy the IBF. The IBF then offered the available top ten contenders in their top ten rankings to get one of them to deal to fight Beterbiev.
Enrico Koelling on the other hand, he represented Germany at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and he has won seven victories following his single career loss, which was unanimously won in February 2015 against Mirco Ricci for the WBA intercontinental lightweight title. He just took the title to Ryno Liebenberg by unanimous decision in October. He again beat Liecenberg after 10 rounds on February 4, without this title being at stake.
Enrico Keolling is willing to fight Artur Beterbiev for the right to become the mandatory challenger for IBF light heavyweight champion. (Source:www.youtube.com)
The winner of this fight will compete for the title of aspirant of the title held by Andre Ward. The American must put his IBF, World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles into play in a rematch that he will face Sergey Kovalev on June 17.