Beterbiev Clash: Hopkins/Skoglund Pass, Chilemba Next?

By Luke Furman

Yvon Michel, promoter for light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9KOs), has been notified that both Bernard Hopkins and Erik Skoglund passed on the opportunity to face his boxer in an IBF title eliminator.

The sanctioning body never heard from Hopkins by the Thursday deadline and there is no surprise as few expected Hopkins to accept that particular fight. Skoglund, a rising contender from Sweden, is being carefully groomed by Sauerland Event and he's already scheduled to be part of a huge show in his home country on September 19th.

The contender on the list is Issac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs), but that fight may not happen as well. Chilemba is in line for a more lucrative opportunity in being the WBC's number one ranked contender to champion Adonis Stevenson.

Michel says Beterbiev has accepted all three of the opponents proposed by the IBF. Chilemba has until Tuesday to accept the IBF's invitation.

"Hopkins has not responded to the invitation for the IBF eliminator against Beterbiev said Yvon Michel to RDS. "The Swede Erik Skoglund refused the invitation. Next on the list is Isaac Chilemba of Malawi. He has until Tuesday, August 11th to respond to the invitation. Artur has accepted the three invitations in question."

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org