Comments Thread For: Beterbiev Wants Title: I Don't Care if It's Kovalev or Stevenson

[stuff jones]

I don't see it with this guy. Power and strength yes, but he's slow and doesn't look all that skilled to me.

[MisterPullman]

It's honestly quite sad people think Beterbiev will smoke Kovalev. These two had split decision amateur fights.. And some even say Kovalev was robbed. But get this, Kovalev has transformed into a machine since. Look at kovalev a early stage of his career verse him now. Completely different t fighter, very fluid and powerful. What Beterbiev struggled with back then is much more dangerous now. All my points are on Kovalev if they fight.

[Kagami Taiga]

August 6, 2015:

Usually in boxing, as in life, if it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

That was my feeling when Main Events promoter Kathy Duva said she hoped to match unified light heavyweight titlist Sergey Kovalev with Russian countryman, two-time Olympian and Kovalev conqueror (in the amateur ranks) Artur Beterbiev.

It would shape up as a terrific fight between two aggressive punchers who don't particularly like each other.

So it came as no shock whatsoever to me that Michel responded to Duva's offer in an email on Wednesday declining the fight, even though he said her offer was fair. She was offering Beterbiev a career-high purse for his first main event ($500,000), 25 percent of Canadian pay-per-view and closed circuit revenue (Beterbiev is based in Montreal) and asking only for the right for Kovalev to have an immediate rematch (with a 50-50 financial split), as opposed to the usual three options for a non-mandatory fight most promoters usually seek.

That is clearly a good faith offer.

Michel was polite, said he appreciated Duva's "honest offer" and said he hoped Beterbiev could meet Kovalev in the future. But they were going to pass on her offer for Nov. 28. Michel explained they decided instead that Beterbiev would fight in an IBF-sanctioned eliminator to get the title shot (even though he was offered one in which he could win the IBF belt plus two others)...

http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/p...ev-no-surprise

That's a ****ty offer.

[HeadBodyBodyBody]

That's a ****ty offer.

Getting a shot at the title after 9 fights is a good offer, no matter the money. Plus it was fair in that the rematch clause was 50/50. Note that there was no counter-offer or negotiation, just a straight 'nope'... I think it was a good move by Kovalev's team to call Beterbiev out on his trash-talk

On one level, it's indicative of the bureaucracy and general BS that goes on in this game. But whatever, the fight'll happen at some point. It just seems noteworthy that Beterbiev has talked like this before and turned down the offer to fight, so how much does he really mean it? I prefer it when fighters do not play these games

[Eff Pandas]

Glad to see Beterbiev bringing up Stevenson finally. Stevenson needs to get taken out of the picture by someone. Hoping Tommy Williams does it, but I know Beterbiev would.

[Superbee]

Glad to see Beterbiev bringing up Stevenson finally. Stevenson needs to get taken out of the picture by someone. Hoping Tommy Williams does it, but I know Beterbiev would.

Interesting fight for sure... Beterbiev has never encountered anything that powerful... Yet I still believe that wouldn't last long ... I favor Artur, but that Stevenson left can hurt you bad, very bad ...

[Superbee]

Getting a shot at the title after 9 fights is a good offer, no matter the money. Plus it was fair in that the rematch clause was 50/50. Note that there was no counter-offer or negotiation, just a straight 'nope'... I think it was a good move by Kovalev's team to call Beterbiev out on his trash-talk

On one level, it's indicative of the bureaucracy and general BS that goes on in this game. But whatever, the fight'll happen at some point. It just seems noteworthy that Beterbiev has talked like this before and turned down the offer to fight, so how much does he really mean it? I prefer it when fighters do not play these games

It wasn't an offer... It was a trapp ...

When it happens, and it will inevitably, they'll show up in Montreal in a pack house and at fighting prime time... 60/40 purse and no bull****..

Glorious night in sight ...

[iNixus]

Since I first watched Beterbiev (in the Cloud fight) I immediately imagined him with Ward in the same ring...

I'd love to see that fight not only or seeing who's would win but also how ward would deal with someone going at him like a train. I simply can't see Ward trying to dodge them all and Ward cant take power punches from beterbiev. I really wonder how he could make beterbiev stop coming at him like a train rather than seeing the winner.

[HeadBodyBodyBody]

It wasn't an offer... It was a trapp ...

When it happens, and it will inevitably, they'll show up in Montreal in a pack house and at fighting prime time... 60/40 purse and no bull****..

Glorious night in sight ...

True true, a trap of sorts, and yeah, it's bound to happen. I kinda hope it happens in Moscow though... in spite of the corruption, I just want an excuse to go to Moscow hahaaa

[iNixus]

Interesting fight for sure... Beterbiev has never encountered anything that powerful... Yet I still believe that wouldn't last long ... I favor Artur, but that Stevenson left can hurt you bad, very bad ...

Yes but did beterbiev was hurt through 10 fights? Even tha knockdown didnt even hit him properly. but for sure Stevenson will never fight him way to dangerous or he money he bring hell will kovalev even fight him now? I wouldnt be suprised if he dropped his belt for a fight wih a guy like James Degale or Badou Jack who's keep alking about coming up a 175. Beterbiev doesn sell well even if he is amazing to watch fighting.