By Luke Furman
Undefeated light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (10-0, 10KOs) is seriously considering the possibility of entering this year's Olympic games in Rio.
Last week, AIBA - which governs amateur boxing - held a meeting and voted in a new rule that allows professional fighters to compete in the Olympics. Most professional fighters have opposed the change, but there are some pro boxers who are interested in chasing Olympic glory.
There were rumors that Beterbiev had his eyes on the Olympics, and now those rumors have been confirmed by his promoter Yvon Michel of GYM.
Last night in Montreal, Beterbiev snapped a one-year layoff and demolished Ezequiel Maderna in four rounds, after sending the fighter down four times.
If he intends to move forward with his Olympic goal, Beterbiev will have to make up his mind very soon, because the qualifiers take place in July for the August games. The fighter must also decided if he intends to represent Russia or Canada.
"We know he has a major interest for the Rio Games. We have to sit together in the coming days to analyze this possibility," Michel told The Montreal Journal.
Beterbiev's trainer, Marc Ramsay, will support his boxer in any way possible.
"I'm part of the team. I'll give him my full support so that he can achieve his dreams even though the time is short," Ramsey said.
If Beterbiev does not take part in the Rio Games, Michel has plans for him to fall and wants to keep him very busy. Michel would offer him fights in September and December to close the year out in a good position to get a world title fight in 2017.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org