The pandemic and an injury kept Artur Beterbiev out of the ring in 2020, but boxing’s most devastating knockout artist has a blank canvas as he prepares to kick off Top Rank on ESPN’s 2021 championship schedule. Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs), the unified WBC and IBF light heavyweight world champion, will defend his titles on ESPN+ on January 30 against Adam Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs) at VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia. A two-time Olympian from Russia’s Chechnya region, Beterbiev has never fought in his home nation as a professional.
“I’m excited to have the chance to fight in my home country of Russia,” Beterbiev said. “This fight against Adam Deines means a lot to me, and you can be sure that I am preparing accordingly to honor this opportunity.”
If Canelo’s as good as he claims to be, he needs to go to Russia and fight Beterbiev.
Even Rocky Balboa proved he could win there, and he was way past his prime.
With huge fights like this by Beterbiev he has to right? I think you know a guy is P4P best when everyone wants him to fight across 3divisions but the opponents talk about are fighting less opposition.
That’s funny whoever gives thumbs down to that is probably sad! Cheer up muthafuckas!Really gave me a good laugh and on serious note Canelo vs Beterbiev would be insane no matter where that took place
True right? He can take on an old worn out Kovalev, but runs chicken sh** when the name Beterbiev comes up. I think Callum will give him a run for his money. Beterbiev reminds me of an opponent no one wanted like Roy Jones and Vasily Girov who he duckd his entire career, along with Dariusz Michalczewski. Never would go for the very best there was too offer except a fat James Toney.
Kovalev was a shot fighter when Canelo chose to fight him, yes. Beterbiev, even though he is turning 36 in Jan does not show in any way signs of being shopworn so that fight won’t happen for many years to come.
I had Kovalev up in that fight against Canelo. He was out boxing him in my opinion. Canelo was just in better shape down the stretch.
Beterbiev will be 36 when this fight takes place in January. What a late starter to the pro game. Hope he has his best boxing years ahead of him still for a couple of years.