Artur Beterbiev Departing DAZN, Heading To ESPN

[Ruthless-RKO]

According to Mike Coppinger of Fox Sports, IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (13-0, 13 KOs) is going to be switching his alliance.

The Canadian outlet reports that Beterbiev is going to part ways with streaming service DAZN, and instead jump on with Top Rank on ESPN.

Apparently, Beterbiev will no longer be aligned with powerful manager Al Haymon, who is also the founder of Premier Boxing Champions.

In 2017, Beterbiev fought on ESPN and stopped Enrico Koelling in the twelfth round to capture the vacant IBF world title.

At that point, it appeared that he would sign with Top Rank.

But then month later he signed a three fight deal with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom - and made his debut on DAZN in October, when he got off the floor to score a knockout of Callum Johnson in the fourth round.

Beterbiev was then scheduled to face Joe Smith on the DAZN on a date in February.

That fight won't happen. And instead Beterbiev will sign a co-promotional deal with Top Rank to fight on ESPN.

Beterbiev's promoter, Yvon Michel, will still be involved in the career of the undefeated Russian fighter.

Top Rank is stocking up on fighters from the light heavyweight division.

A few weeks ago, another of Michel's fighters, WBO light heavyweight champion Eleider Alvarez, signed a multi-year deal with Top Rank. Alvarez will face Sergey Kovalev next month in a rematch, which is being televised by ESPN.

Top Rank also has WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk under contract, Kovalev is signed on for several fights - even in defeat. And WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez may jump up to 175 in the very near future.

[Ruthless-RKO]

ESPN has all the best LHW’s now. Kinda seems like Bivol is isolated with DAZN now. Probably will fight Joe Smith Jr. next.

[jamamb]

is bivol officially with dazn

[Ruthless-RKO]

is bivol officially with dazn

I believe he signed with them.

[Mexi-Box]

Wow, Beterbiev/Gvozdyk is definitely the fight to make. That's a prime killer for both, and I think they're the two best LHW on the planet right now.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Zurdo will probably move up by end of this year or early next year.

[Enlightened-One]

ESPN has all the best LHW’s now. Kinda seems like Bivol is isolated with DAZN now. Probably will fight Joe Smith Jr. next.

I could be wrong, but ESPN only “officially” have the following top-ten world-rated 175lb-ers in their stable:

• Eleider Alvarez
• Oleksandr Gvozdyk
• Sergey Kovalev
• Artur Beterbiev
• Sullivan Barrera

I don’t think it’s an issue though, because the other guys are either network free agents or affiliated to boxing content providers (i.e. PBC or DAZN) that have a proven track-record of doing business with Top Rank:

• Dmitry Bivol
• Badou Jack
• Marcus Browne
• Joe Smith Jr.
• Sven Fornling

I feel that the barriers that previously prevented the biggest bouts from being made at 175lbs have finally crumbled (i.e. HBO and Kathy Duva) and we should now start seeing the top guys face each other regularly, especially considering the busy schedules that the PBC, Top Rank and Matchroom have committed themselves towards the networks they provide boxing content for.