By Alexey Sukachev
One of the world’s finest cruiserweights, Oleksandr Usyk (10-0, 9 KOs), has reportedly continued his struggles with finding a viable opponent for a spot in Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith Jr. undercard.
It has been reported tonight that Damir Beljo (22-0, 18 KOs) of Bosnia and Herzegovina has withdrawn from a proposed fight on December 17 at the legendary Froum in Inglewood, California, USA.
WBO titleholder and TBRB #2 rated 200lber, acquired his belt this September with a memorable schooling of previously undefeated Pole Krzysztof Glowacki.
Usyk, a 2012 London gold medalist, is willing to make his stateside debut following three years of fighting in Europe (eight of his wins taking place in Ukraine, one – in Poland, and one – in Germany) but WBO #4 and IBF #13 Beljo is yet another fighter to upset Usyk’s expectations.
Beljo, 32, cited insufficient time to prepare as his main reason to withdraw.
“Five days ago I got to know [about this fight]. I had just a month and twenty days to get ready. I haven’t been training for a month, and I’m out of shape. I don’t have enough time to get fit and to improve my athletic attributes," Beljo said.
“WBO doesn’t deserves this [me getting into the title fight unprepared]. Imagine I’m literally dying in round four or five after being gassed out, being unable to catch my breath. I have been given a chance, and big money is at stake – I realize this – but I’d say no. In this shape I cannot afford to fight for one of the world’s most prestigious titles”, concluded Beljo.
Meanwhile, Usyk, 29, is already in Los Angeles, getting ready for his American debut. His team has reportedly offered a fight to Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and Mateusz Masternak previously but got no positive response from either.
