Artur Beterbiev Faces Number One Contender Marcus Browne On December 17
Top Rank Boxing and Group Yvon Michel have announced via press release that Artur Beterbiev (16-0, 16 KOs) will return to the ring on December 17 to defend the unified IBF/WBC world light heavyweight titles against WBC #1 contender and former WBC silver/WBA world ‘interim’ light heavyweight champ Marcus Browne (24-1, 16 KOs). The fight will be held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, and will air live on the ESPN+ streaming service.
Beterbiev stopped Enrico Koelling to win the IBF belt in November of 2017. He added the WBC strap when he stopped then-champion Oleksandr Govzdyk in March of 2019. The 36-year-old holds the distinction of being the sport’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout percentage.
RETURNING TO HIS ADOPTED HOME
It’s a bit of a homecoming defense for the defending champ. Following a successful stint in the amateurs, Beterbiev moved to Montreal to begin his pro career. In concert with the announcement of his title defense, the defending champion says he’s ecstatic to finally get the chance to defend the belts in his adopted hometown.
“I want to thank Bob Arum and Yvon Michel for bringing this event to Montreal. It’s been a dream of mine to defend my titles in front of the fans who have supported me my entire pro career.”
“I look forward to defending my titles in dominant fashion.”
Browne made a name for himself when he defeated former super middleweight champion Badou Jack to capture the vacant WBA ‘interim’ 175 pound title in January of 2019. In his first defense of the belt, he surprisingly lost an eight-round technical decision to former world light heavyweight champion Badou Jack in August of 2019.
DETERMINED AND MOTIVATED
The 30-year-old has only fought once since that defeat, an easy win over Denis Grachev in April 2020. Browne went on a social media campaign to say that he refocused and is ready to fight. He now gets his opportunity as he faces the hardest puncher in the division. In a released statement by Top Rank, the southpaw challenger says he plans on taking full advantage.
“This is the moment in my life that I’ve been waiting for, and I’m ready to take advantage of it.”
“I know exactly what I have to do to take the titles from Beterbiev, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Beterbiev is the most avoided champion out there. He’s a great fighter, doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, and is super strong. But I’m the better fighter, and I’m here to show that come December 17. So, to my fans, know that I’m back and I’m here to stay. No controversial losses, no distractions, just straight work.”
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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