Artur Beterbiev has Coronavirus

Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev Has Coronavirus, ESPN Bout Postponed

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

Moscow, Russia (December 31st, 2020)– World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation World Light Heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev has tested positive for COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus, forcing a second postponement of his scheduled ESPN titular defense against Adam Deines at VTB Arena in Moscow, Russian Federation, on January 30, 2020.



Beterbiev, 15-0 with 15 knockouts, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, by way of, Moscow, Russian, Federation, and southpaw Deines, 19-1-1 with 10 knockouts, Magdeburg, Germany, delayed once previously due to a Beterbiev ring injury. Deines replaced IBF number one mandatory challenger Meng ‘Cold Blood’ Fanglong, 16-0 with 10 knockouts, Chifeng, China, who is now subject to travel restrictions from mainland China due to COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus and cannot fly to Quebec at this time to accept the bout.



Both Beterbiev and Deines are inactive for over a year. Meanwhile, Joe Smith Jr. is scheduled to battle Maxim Vlasov for the vacant World Boxing Organisation World Light Heavyweight title at The Bubble at MGM Grand on February 13, 2021. Former champion Sergey Kovalev will battle undefeated Bektemir Melikuziev in Moscow on January 30, 2020. World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has been inactive for over a year.

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].