SERGEY KOVALEV may be the unified WBO, WBA and IBF champion but he isn’t the only Russian wrecking machine at light-heavyweight. Artur Beterbiev is seven bouts into his professional career. He’s won them all inside the distance and has already knocked out Tavoris Cloud in two rounds. One of the top boxers on the Russian amateur programme for years, he excelled in major international tournaments and has even beaten Sergey Kovalev in the past.
“I have a very good memory. So, I did beat him twice in the amateur ranks, but I’m more focused on the future right now. I would like to beat him again,” Beterbiev said. “Taking into consideration all his statements that he recently produced, I would like to meet with him and put him back in his place in professional.”
He believes he’s ready to fight for a world crown right now. “I like the way I’ve been led in my professional career. I’m training every day and working every day and always thinking about that. I always try to improve and improve my [weak] parts, as part of my preparation. I’m not a future teller. So, I’m ready to meet all the solid opponents. And I’m ready for the championship of the world, and I’m ready for any scenario,” he said.
On Saturday (April 4) Beterbiev boxes Gabriel Campillo on the undercard of Adonis Stevenson-Sakio Bika at the Pepso Coliseum in Quebec City. ”I have a lot of respect for Campillo because he’s very experienced,” Beterbiev said. “For sure he has more experience than I do. He has experience winning and losing, and he’s a solid opponent.”
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