Beterbiev Rules Out Usyk Fight – ‘He’s Too Strong’

Artur Beterbiev has ruled out a fight with Oleksandr Usyk after initially indicating his desire to face him.
The pair faced each other in the amateurs with Usyk coming out victorious. The Ukrainian then went on to become undisputed at cruiserweight and then heavyweight after his win over Tyson Fury. Beterbiev indicated he would be interested in moving up to cruiserweight to face Usyk. This was after suggestions the Ukrainian could move back down from heavyweight to chase undisputed again at cruiserweight.
“I repeat, from a pure sporting perspective I would be interested in this fight, of course, because we boxed in the Olympics and the World Championships as amateurs. It would be interesting to try as professionals, not for money, although money would be nice, but my interest in this fight would be purely sporting, much more than monetary. Much more,” Beterbiev stated
Beterbiev On Usyk
Beterbiev already created history himself when he beat Dmitry Bivol to become the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion. They will rematch on February 22. Another win could have made an Usyk fight closer. But Beterbiev has now moved on.
“No, he’s too strong for me you know. He’s like heavyweight you know it’s too strong even if he came back down. He’s too strong [even at cruiserweight], too good,” Beterbiev said
Usyk is likely to fight again after reports that he could return to the ring in July or August. His next opponent has not been announced. But there is a high chance he faces the winner of Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker. They fight on the Beterbiev-Bivol card in a IBF Heavyweight Title clash. Usyk could then fight the winner for undisputed again. There is a narrative in place to run things back with Dubois after their controversial first fight. Dubois dropped Usyk with a body shot, which was controversially declared a low blow. Uysk then recovered to stop Dubois.
Usyk’s Next Opponent
Meanwhile, Parker is in the best form of his career. He has secured the two biggest wins on his resume, beating Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. Parker also knows what it takes to be a world champion, having been the former WBO Heavyweight Champion before losing the belt to Anthony Joshua. Dubois has already set his sight on Usyk after he called him out following the latter’s second win over Fury. But he cannot afford to overlook Parker.
“It’s all about making noise, this is showbusiness. That’s who I want next [Usyk] but I’ve got to get through this guy [Parker]. I’m going to do a demolition job on him [Parker] first and then I want Usyk next. I’m ready for it and I’m on a roll so bring it on,” Dubois
“You might be looking too far ahead. You’ve got a fight in front of you right now. I’ve been boxing for a while and I feel I’ve only begun just now. I feel I’ve got everything right now and you’re in for a treat. He’s [Dubois] sky high at the moment, but it’s all going to stop on Feb. 22,” Parker said
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