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Artur Beterbiev beat Oleksandr Usyk as soon as, and he believes Tyson Fury will accomplish that too when the Briton fights him for the undisputed heavyweight title.
Beterbiev, who’s the holder the WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight championships, misplaced to Usyk in two thrilling bouts at 91kgs within the 2011 newbie World championships and 2012 Olympics.
However he’s the primary to level out that he additionally holds an newbie win over Usyk, beating the Ukrainian once they have been each light-heavyweights.
He shrugged off these previous defeats. “That point my weight was solely 83kgs,” he informed Sky Sports activities. “I’ve by no means been 90kgs in a combat.
“We had one other combat too within the amateurs,” he added. “There was a match [in Russia], I had combat with him there at 81kgs and I beat him on the primary day [of the tournament].
” Oleksandr Usyk, he does his job very effectively. What I can say, good for him.”
That’s one thing of an understatement. Usyk has excelled as knowledgeable, beating Anthony Joshua to win the WBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight titles, and his February combat with WBC titlist Fury provides him the prospect to change into a two-weight undisputed champion.
However his newbie rival Beterbiev thinks that Fury will likely be victorious in that combat subsequent month.
“I mentioned once they combat, Oleksandr Usyk with Joshua, I mentioned I feel Joshua goes to win. I am extra for Joshua as a result of he is an actual heavyweight. He is not a cruiserweight,” Beterbiev mentioned.
“There is a large distinction. I say who’s getting ready effectively, will win. Now too, I feel Tyson Fury goes to win. However who’s getting ready effectively, he’ll win.”
Beterbiev has been dominant as knowledgeable fighter himself and this weekend defends his unified light-heavyweight titles in opposition to Liverpool’s Callum Smith, reside on Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion from 1.15am on Sunday.
If he does win, along with his devastating punch energy, he may contemplate a future transfer up in weight, or keep at 175lbs and goal his personal undisputed combat with Dmitry Bivol.
“It is fascinating. Let’s discuss it after,” he mentioned with a faint smile. “I do not know who’s there subsequent.
“However I am all targeted now for my subsequent opponent, Callum Smith.”
Callum Smith challenges Artur Beterbiev reside on Sky Sports activities Area from 1am and Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion from 1.15am on Sunday.
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