By Luke Furman
According to promoter Yvon Michel of GYM, light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9KOs) wants to have at least two fights before Ramadan.
As previously reported, Michel plans to stage two big events in the coming months in Montreal.
The first event would feature the return of former super middleweight world champion Lucian Bute (32-3, 25 KOs) at the end of April or early May against an opponent who still needs to be undetermined. Then the other would possibly take place on the 4th of June with WBC champion heavyweight Adonis Stevenson (27-1, 22 KOs) as the headliner.
If the dates are finalized and everything falls into place, Michel wants to place Beterbiev on both cards.
Beterbiev has been inactive due to injury. Last year he was ordered to take part in an IBF final light heavyweight eliminator, but had to withdraw after suffering a shoulder injury and then having to undergo surgery. His rehabilitation is reportedly going very well and he's eager to return to the return.
"Artur would like get two fights before Ramadan which begins on June 6," said Michel to The Montreal Journal. "The aim would be to get him in line as the mandatory challenger to the WBO light heavyweight title, which belongs to Sergey Kovalev. "
At present, Beterbiev holds three high rankings - #3 under the WBA, # 2 under the IBF and #3 with the WBO. The WBA and IBF world titles are also held by Kovalev.
Beterbiev saw action twice in 2015 with a fourth round knockout of former champion Gabriel Campillo in April and then a seventh round knockout of Alexander Johnson in June.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.
