Team Gonzalez Explain Why Beterbiev Bout Was Rejected

By Elisinio Castillo

Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9KOs) thought he had a set opponent when an IBF eliminator was offered to Cuban contender Yuniesky González (16-1, 12 KO), who is coming off a very close decision loss to former champion Jean Pascal. It was unexpected when Gonzalez's team passed on the fight.

Beterbiev returns to the ring on November 28th in Quebec as part of a Showtime televised tripleheader. After Gonzalez turned down the fight, the next fighter up was Karo Murat, but couldn't get ready in time and then EBU champion Igor Mikhalkin (17-1) received the call and so far he's accepted.

Gonzalez's manager says they were unhappy with the money and because of that they walked away from the fight.

He feels Gonzalez is now a bigger name from the boxer who stepped in the ring with Pascal and deserves more money. 

"A lot of people believe that we did the wrong thing in not accepting the proposal of Beterbiev and his team," said Michael Luzbet, one of the managers of Gonzalez, to George Ebro. "But in the boxing business things have to make financial sense and in this situation is wasn't the case."

"Yuniesky is not that unknown boxer who climbed into the ring against Pascal. We have already fought on HBO and the fan base is different from what it was before.  We are now in control of the situation. We cannot be treated with such disdain from the point of view of the numbers."

There is now talk of Gonzalez returning on a card on December 12 and Luzbet says an important announcement is coming.