WBC Reschedules Beterbiev vs Browne Deadline Until September 28
On August 19, the World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered a match between unified IBF/WBC world light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (16-0, 16 KOs) and WBC #1 contender Marcus Browne (24-1, 16KOs). At that time, the sanctioning organization gave both camps a 30-day window to negotiate with September 17 as the deadline to make the fight and avoid a purse bid.
Top Rank promotes Beterbiev. Browne fights for PBC and is promoted by Ten Goose Boxing (TGB). With neither camp able to come to terms, they petitioned the WBC, asking for an extension. The petition was granted, and WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman announced his decision on September 15 via social media. With the additional time, hopefully a deal is made.
STEP ONE TO BIGGER FIGHTS
Artur Beterbiev became a unified champion when he stopped Oleksandr Gvozdyk in ten rounds to unify the IBF and WBC world heavyweight belts in October of 2019. Unfortunately, the hard-hitting 36-year-old has only fought one time since then; a tenth-round TKO win over Adam Deines in March of 2021. He desires a fight against unified WBC/WBA ‘super’/WBO world 168 pound champ Canelo Alvarez in 2022. That goes out the window if he doesn’t overcome Browne.
CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION
When Marcus Browne defeated Badou Jack to win the WBA world “interim” world light heavyweight title in January 2019, he looked like a potential force in the division. But in his next fight, he lost by technical decision to former world 175-pound champ Jean Pascal. The fight was stopped in the eighth when Browne suffered a severe cut from an accidental headbutt.
Heading into that fight, most experts figured that Browne would have it his way. Yet he was knocked down twice in the bout and struggled. Up until the decision, it was a disappointing performance.
After not fighting in 2020, the 32-year-old returned to the ring defeated Denis Grachev by unanimous decision in April 2021. The talkative southpaw from Staten Island, New York has been barking all over social media, calling for a fight against any of the world champions at 175. He gets his wish against Beterbiev.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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