Beterbiev to fight IBF eliminator for Andre Ward title shot

[Ruthless-RKO]

By Allan Fox: #2 IBF Artur Beterbiev (10-0, 10 KOs) will reportedly be fighting on February 24 at the Videotron Center to become the mandatory challenger to newly crowned IBF light heavyweight champion Andre Ward (31-0, 15 KOs). Beterbiev’s opponent is still yet to be determined. International Boxing Federation president Lindsey Tucker contacted Beterbiev’s promoter Yvon Michel on Monday to let him know about the news.

The IBF will look to see if #3 IBF Erick Skoglund (25-0, 11 KOs) and his promoters at Sauerland Events are interested in taking the fight with Beterbiev. If not, then the IBF will move down list of top contenders until they get one.

Beterbiev would be a very tough opponent for Ward to fight. Beterbiev matches up really well with Ward due to his inside fighting skills. Beterbiev not only can land with power in close, but he can land with knockout power.

When Beterbiev has an opponent wrestling him on the inside, he works an arm free and fires quick power shots over and over again until they let go. Beterbiev is able to get tremendous power on his shots on the inside. You can’t teach that. It’s something Beterbiev is born with.

[boxing_rocks]

I think Ward will drop the belt saying that Beterbiev brings nothing to the table. Artur is a very good inside fighter, so Ward's biggest advantage will be taken away, and he would need to run for 12 rounds. He is not fast anymore, so it is 50/50 fight.

[Tanzio]

Beterbiev would be a very difficult puzzle for Ward to solve. But all of the top LHWs are. It will be very difficult for him to hold the belts for long, if he even wishes to.

[Lackeos]

I think Ward will drop the belt saying that Beterbiev brings nothing to the table.

Yeah, I would do the same thing. Beterbiev basically brings nothing to the table. I would have hoped that prior to Beterbiev getting a shot at the consensus champion in a very major event, that he would be appropriately tested against someone like Stevenson, Eleider Alvarez, Gvozdyk, Pascal, Joe Smith, Gilberto Ramirez, or James DeGale. A win over totally unproven prospect Erik Skoglund really doesn't do a lot to distinguish whether Beterbiev is #50 p4p, #1 p4p, or somewhere in between. We know that Beterbiev is better than Campillo, who got stopped in round 1 by Marcus Browne, and would be ranked approximately #41 in his division right now if he weren't retired. We know that Beterbiev is better than Tavoris Cloud, who vanished from boxing after 3 straight losses, but would be ranked approximately #56 divisionally if his rating were reactivated. What we don't know is whether Beterbiev would dominate Eleider Alvarez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk, or if he would struggle mightily with them.

[Tanzio]

I think Ward will drop the belt saying that Beterbiev brings nothing to the table.

Yeah, I would do the same thing. Beterbiev basically brings nothing to the table. I would have hoped that prior to Beterbiev getting a shot at the consensus champion in a very major event, that he would be appropriately tested against someone like Stevenson, Eleider Alvarez, Gvozdyk, Pascal, Joe Smith, Gilberto Ramirez, or James DeGale. A win over totally unproven prospect Erik Skoglund really doesn't do a lot to distinguish whether Beterbiev is #50 p4p, #1 p4p, or somewhere in between. We know that Beterbiev is better than Campillo, who got stopped in round 1 by Marcus Browne, and would be ranked approximately #41 in his division right now if he weren't retired. We know that Beterbiev is better than Tavoris Cloud, who vanished from boxing after 3 straight losses, but would be ranked approximately #56 divisionally if his rating were reactivated. What we don't know is whether Beterbiev would dominate Eleider Alvarez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk, or if he would struggle mightily with them.

Excellent post. Thank you

[boxing_rocks]

We still don't know if Ward could dominate Gvozdyk, but he got a shot at Kovalev.

[Tanzio]

We still don't know if Ward could dominate Gvozdyk, but he got a shot at Kovalev.

. . . and earned the W. Can Krusher take it back?

[Ruthless-RKO]

We still don't know if Ward could dominate Gvozdyk, but he got a shot at Kovalev.

Ward wasn't an up n comer, he only moved up a division after dominating 168.. it's like saying Haye moved up and fought Monte Barrett before a world title, like Haye, Ward is/was already proven.

Monte = Barerra/Brand basically..

[Bard of Boxrec]

Ward vs Beterbiev would be another fascinating one. I'll have to watch more of Beterbiev, but I'm not sure he does much in there better than Kovalev. Maybe switching between body and head. I think Ward would land on him easier than he did Kovalev.

Of course the true wet dream fight would be Beterbiev vs Kovalev. God willing, Kovalev will win the Ward rematch and fight Artur. Way more likely than Ward deciding to fight Artur.

[Lackeos]

We still don't know if Ward could dominate Gvozdyk, but he got a shot at Kovalev.

That's preposterous. After Ward has beaten Kessler, Froch, Dawson, Kovalev, and Abraham, to say that you don't know he would dominate Gvozdyk is like saying you don't know that Golovkin would dominate Maciej Sulecki, like saying you don't know that Floyd Mayweather would dominate Jeff Horn, or like saying you don't know that Lara would dominate Michel Soro. If you think Beterbiev has proven as much professionally as Andre Ward has, you're out of your mind. Ward already proved more by the end of 2009 than Beterbiev has proven presently. Beterbiev has never fought a single opponent as good as Mikkel Kessler. Also, Kessler was the divisional #1 going into the Super 6 tournament, and Gvozdyk has barely breached the divisional top 5 for 6 entire days now.

[ValMar]

We still don't know if Ward could dominate Gvozdyk, but he got a shot at Kovalev.

That's preposterous. After Ward has beaten Kessler, Froch, Dawson, Kovalev, and Abraham, to say that you don't know he would dominate Gvozdyk is like saying you don't know that Golovkin would dominate Maciej Sulecki, like saying you don't know that Floyd Mayweather would dominate Jeff Horn, or like saying you don't know that Lara would dominate Michel Soro. If you think Beterbiev has proven as much professionally as Andre Ward has, you're out of your mind. Ward already proved more by the end of 2009 than Beterbiev has proven presently. Beterbiev has never fought a single opponent as good as Mikkel Kessler. Also, Kessler was the divisional #1 going into the Super 6 tournament, and Gvozdyk has barely breached the divisional top 5 for 6 entire days now.

You are right, but it wouldn't be clever to underrate Beterbiev. He is not proven yet, but he has got a great potential.

[boxing_rocks]

Ward beat Kessler using illegal tactics (with help of the friendly ref) including deliberate headbutts.

Ward did NOT beat Kovalev.

Gvozdyk will likely outwork and outbox Ward, while Beterbiev will probably kill him.

[Tanzio]

Ward beat Kessler using illegal tactics (with help of the friendly ref) including deliberate headbutts.

Ward did NOT beat Kovalev.

Gvozdyk will likely outwork and outbox Ward, while Beterbiev will probably kill him.

Another objective observation by a Russian dumpling that squeals.

[GPTM1403]

This surely assumes Ward wins a rematch with Kovalev which isn't a given.

[boxing_rocks]

This surely assumes Ward wins a rematch with Kovalev which isn't a given.

I think Ward will find ways to avoid the rematch. He will also avoid Gvozdyk and Beterbiev. Time to milk the gifted titles.

[Tanzio]

This surely assumes Ward wins a rematch with Kovalev which isn't a given.

I think Ward will find ways to avoid the rematch. He will also avoid Gvozdyk and Beterbiev. Time to milk the gifted titles.

No doubt, especially given how he ducked Krusher

[ValMar]

This surely assumes Ward wins a rematch with Kovalev which isn't a given.

I think Ward will find ways to avoid the rematch. He will also avoid Gvozdyk and Beterbiev. Time to milk the gifted titles.

No doubt, especially given how he ducked Krusher

Ward has not many options at LHW - rematch, Adonis, Beterbiev, Gvozdyk. I don't expect him to fight Cleverly or Hopkins......

[Tanzio]

I think Ward will find ways to avoid the rematch. He will also avoid Gvozdyk and Beterbiev. Time to milk the gifted titles.

No doubt, especially given how he ducked Krusher

Ward has not many options at LHW - rematch, Adonis, Beterbiev, Gvozdyk. I don't expect him to fight Cleverly or Hopkins......

I agree.

One thing is clear, Ward has no record of ducking anyone. Those who suggest that he will show their complete bias and hatred, like the resident squealing Russian dumpling.

[Lackeos]

We still don't know if Ward could dominate Gvozdyk, but he got a shot at Kovalev.

That's preposterous. After Ward has beaten Kessler, Froch, Dawson, Kovalev, and Abraham, to say that you don't know he would dominate Gvozdyk is like saying you don't know that Golovkin would dominate Maciej Sulecki, like saying you don't know that Floyd Mayweather would dominate Jeff Horn, or like saying you don't know that Lara would dominate Michel Soro. If you think Beterbiev has proven as much professionally as Andre Ward has, you're out of your mind. Ward already proved more by the end of 2009 than Beterbiev has proven presently. Beterbiev has never fought a single opponent as good as Mikkel Kessler. Also, Kessler was the divisional #1 going into the Super 6 tournament, and Gvozdyk has barely breached the divisional top 5 for 6 entire days now.

You are right, but it wouldn't be clever to underrate Beterbiev. He is not proven yet, but he has got a great potential.

There are people who think Beterbiev is better than Kovalev. If there were any truth to that, then Ward - Beterbiev should occur after Beterbiev proves that he's at least in the same ballpark. Kovalev beat 2 opponents with a 400+ boxrec rating prior to the superfight. Ward beat 3 opponents with a 400+ boxrec rating prior to the superfight. Beterbiev still hasn't beat an opponent with a 250+ rating, nor is his own rating 250+, nor is Eric Skoglund's rating 250+. It's amazing to know that Eleider Alvarez, Cleverly, Gvozdyk, and Pascal all have bigger professional wins than Beterbiev does. So anyways, Beterbiev may or may not be world class, he may or may not be elite. I'm won't say that he is definitely neither, but he also hasn't proven that he is either. The most important fact is that he has done nothing yet to earn a superfight. Beterbiev is about to fight a third consecutive opponent who is outside the divisional top 30, which is completely ridiculous for a fighter with as much hype as he has.

[ValMar]

That's preposterous. After Ward has beaten Kessler, Froch, Dawson, Kovalev, and Abraham, to say that you don't know he would dominate Gvozdyk is like saying you don't know that Golovkin would dominate Maciej Sulecki, like saying you don't know that Floyd Mayweather would dominate Jeff Horn, or like saying you don't know that Lara would dominate Michel Soro. If you think Beterbiev has proven as much professionally as Andre Ward has, you're out of your mind. Ward already proved more by the end of 2009 than Beterbiev has proven presently. Beterbiev has never fought a single opponent as good as Mikkel Kessler. Also, Kessler was the divisional #1 going into the Super 6 tournament, and Gvozdyk has barely breached the divisional top 5 for 6 entire days now.

You are right, but it wouldn't be clever to underrate Beterbiev. He is not proven yet, but he has got a great potential.

There are people who think Beterbiev is better than Kovalev. If there were any truth to that, then Ward - Beterbiev should occur after Beterbiev proves that he's at least in the same ballpark. Kovalev beat 2 opponents with a 400+ boxrec rating prior to the superfight. Ward beat 3 opponents with a 400+ boxrec rating prior to the superfight. Beterbiev still hasn't beat an opponent with a 250+ rating, nor is his own rating 250+, nor is Eric Skoglund's rating 250+. It's amazing to know that Eleider Alvarez, Cleverly, Gvozdyk, and Pascal all have bigger professional wins than Beterbiev does. So anyways, Beterbiev may or may not be world class, he may or may not be elite. I'm won't say that he is definitely neither, but he also hasn't proven that he is either. The most important fact is that he has done nothing yet to earn a superfight. Beterbiev is about to fight a third consecutive opponent who is outside the divisional top 30, which is completely ridiculous for a fighter with as much hype as he has.

You are right 100 %, but he deserves some hype. I feel he is capable to become LHW champion. We will see...I hope we will see soon........

[SFW]

Lackeos as always is right on point. The voice of reason most of the time.

Beterbiev is clearly dangerous for anyone at 175, but he doesn't appear to have the agility Kovalev does. Sergei evolved well, which made his power even more effective. Only a real challenge can show Beterbiev's true potential, which I think is quite high. If he was a lil more fluid not so stiff he's the one who could really kick Sergei's ass not just eek out a debatable decision. Only one strong and resilient enough to do it. But a couple amateur wins over a green Kovalev don't make him any kind of favorite over the proven top guys. I'm a fan I'll watch him fight any day, but it should be against a top 5 guy.

[boxing_rocks]

I think Ward will find ways to avoid the rematch. He will also avoid Gvozdyk and Beterbiev. Time to milk the gifted titles.

No doubt, especially given how he ducked Krusher

Ward has not many options at LHW - rematch, Adonis, Beterbiev, Gvozdyk. I don't expect him to fight Cleverly or Hopkins......

He fought Krusher, because that is what he needed to do to keep fighting on HBO. Now with 3 belts, he can jump a network and fight nobodies like Stevenson.

[Tanzio]

No doubt, especially given how he ducked Krusher

Ward has not many options at LHW - rematch, Adonis, Beterbiev, Gvozdyk. I don't expect him to fight Cleverly or Hopkins......

He fought Krusher, because that is what he needed to do to keep fighting on HBO. Now with 3 belts, he can jump a network and fight nobodies like Stevenson.

. . . because he has such a track record of avoiding tough fights

[boxing_rocks]

Ward has not many options at LHW - rematch, Adonis, Beterbiev, Gvozdyk. I don't expect him to fight Cleverly or Hopkins......

He fought Krusher, because that is what he needed to do to keep fighting on HBO. Now with 3 belts, he can jump a network and fight nobodies like Stevenson.

. . . because he has such a track record of avoiding tough fights

Yep, he was avoiding them for 5 years.

[Tanzio]

He fought Krusher, because that is what he needed to do to keep fighting on HBO. Now with 3 belts, he can jump a network and fight nobodies like Stevenson.

. . . because he has such a track record of avoiding tough fights

Yep, he was avoiding them for 5 years.

The Russian dumpling that squeals and his altered universe.

Who exactly did Ward avoid over the last five years?