Artur Beterbiev is a man of few words. Undoubtedly this is partly due to the language barrier, although after 10 years in the country his English has become very good (and he is able to speak short sentences in French, such as “comment ça go”, specifies his trainer Marc Ramsay). .
Nevertheless, the Chechen boxer doesn’t have to say much for his answer to be devastating. Even if it is accompanied by a smile or a wink.
Just over a month before his return to the ring, he took on England’s Callum Smith, the man considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, on January 13 at the Videotron Center in Quebec. – 19 wins ( (all by knockout) with no losses – had two things to say to his future rival.
Because Smith is a great with his almost perfect record of 29-1 (21 KOs). His only defeat came at the hands of a certain Canelo Alvarez. It was devastating and since then the 33-year-old Englishman has made the jump from super middleweight to light heavyweight.
He has two wins in as many fights.
“Biggest challenge”
A few months ago, Ramsay himself described this encounter as “the biggest challenge of Beterbiev’s career.”
As for Smith, he recently reiterated that he believed he could be eliminated. to the 38-year-old Russian and secured his three IBF, WBC and WBO belts in one fell swoop.
Belts that were also clearly visible at the edge of the ring that took pride of place in the food court of the Laurier Québec shopping center on Saturday at the public training organized by Eye of the Tiger Management.
Marc Ramsay and Artur Beterbiev during the public training session on December 2nd at Laurier Québec. Photo Didier Debusschere
But let’s get back to these two famous “messages” that boxers love to send out when a fight is approaching.
When asked how he feels going into a fight against a boxer who is considered “second to him in practically every category,” Beterbiev replied: “Oh, we’ll let him be second in all.” Second place is what interests not me.”
Then, when asked about the words of Smith, who believes he can knock him out, Beterbiev replied without seeming too worried: “He can think whatever he wants.”
“He’s a boxer”
The fact is that Beterbiev respects his nearest rival. “He’s a good boxer,” he said, adding wryly that he didn’t know much more about him other than the fact “that he’s a boxer.”
Artur Beterbiev. Photo Didier Debusschere
Apparently the Russian prefers to talk with his fists, as this cliché often used in boxing goes. And he can’t wait to do it, especially after his scheduled fight last August was canceled so he could undergo emergency dental surgery.
A decision that was the right one, he says. “But now I am ready. I’m angry or hungry [«angry and hungry»]It’s the way you want it.”
A fourth in his collection
And Beterbiev didn’t seem to be talking about Thai food or fried chicken, despite the scents that filled the air as he was in the ring during his training session, giving in to about a hundred people, many of whom had stopped shopping. Holidays to witness this barrage of beatings.
Artur Beterbiev Photo Didier Debusschere
No, he’s more hungry to add a fourth belt to his collection. That of the WBA, which currently belongs to Dmitry Bivol.
“Because the belts, like the suits, represented the boxer. When you have three, you want a fourth.”
But before he thinks about that potential fight, which could take place in Saudi Arabia, Beterbiev must first increase his unblemished record to 20 wins by defeating Smith on January 13th.
▶ Ticket sales for this gala, which will also feature Frenchman Christian Mbilli (25-0, 21 KOs) and several local boxers including Wilkens Mathieu and Leïla Beaudoin, are going very well, says Eye of the Tiger Management. The goal is to accommodate 10,000 spectators.