By Luke Furman
Rising light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (8-0, 8 KOs) does not want to wait. The talented Russian feels he is already prepared to fight his fellow countryman, IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KOs).
The two boxers faced each other twice in the amateurs. In both fights, Beterviev came out as the winner, but Kovalev claims that he was robbed by the judges.
"Well, when I am asked about whether or not I have two wins over Sergei, I answer yes. And when I'm asked if I would like to face him again right now, I answer that with 'of course.' And that's the same case for any other world champion," Beterbiev said.
"[Kovalev] is one of the strongest boxers in the world. I respect him, he eventually became the champion of the world, and I know that his is not the champion by chance. I am only surprised that he hasn't had a fight yet with Adonis Stevenson. This does not make sense to me."
Beterbiev's next fight will take place on June 12 in Chicago, where he will face Doudou Ngumbu (34-6, 13 KOs) as part of a Premier Boxing Champions card.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org