Stevenson-Bellew: Beterbiev, Dinu Added To The Bill

By Corey Erdman

It appears that the full card beneath next Saturday’s light heavyweight championship bout between Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew has finally taken shape.

Days after it was announced that welterweight prospect Mikael Zewski would be added to the bill, two more Canadian-based up and comers will now see action in Quebec City as well.

Former world amateur champion Artur Beterbiev (2-0, 2 knockouts) makes his third professional appearance, taking on journeyman Billy Bailey in light heavyweight action.

Beterbiev signed with Groupe Yvon Michel in April of this year, and now lives and trains in Quebec. He debuted on the Stevenson-Chad Dawson undercard, blowing out a faded Christian Cruz in two rounds.

However, it was his second outing that opened some eyes and validated the early buzz about him, as he took out Rayco Saunders in three rounds in September. Saunders remains a stern test for solid light heavyweights, let alone a one fight relative novice, yet Beterbiev didn’t struggle with him whatsoever.

Michel has publicly stated that Beterbiev will be on the fast track in the light heavyweight division, not unlike how his stablemate and fellow amateur standout Eleider Alvarez has been maneuvered.

In addition, heavyweight slugger Bogdan Dinu has also been added to the card. Dinu had a fine amateur career of his own, compiling a 130-20 record, including 10 national championships in Romania.

Dinu (9-0, 6 KOs) will be coming off more than a year’s layoff when he takes on Curtis Harper next weekend. The 27-year old is perhaps equally as notable for his extracurricular ventures, as he maintains a full-time position in the Romanian police task force.

Two years ago, he also won the Greek installment of the Bigger’s Better tournament, which does not count towards his professional record.

The early word on Dinu was that he would be moved along on Lucian Bute’s undercards, working in collaboration with Interbox to capitalize on his Romanian fanbase. However, Bute has been in a holding pattern with a recent marriage, an injury, and the rescheduling of his bout with Jean Pascal, leaving Dinu in limbo.

Interbox is the co-promoter of the Stevenson-Bellew gala, alongside Groupe Yvon Michel ad Matchroom Sport.