Russian WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, American Joe Smith Jr. He said he had no other choice before struggling with it. On June 18, in New York, the Russian boxer defeated his opponent by technical knockout in the second round and was stripped of the WBO title.
“Nothing was talked about going out with the Russian flag. Such an option never existed. They can block me in the first place, they just don’t fight and if it goes long then they vacate the titles. And here it turned out to be interesting, because on the eve of the war [со Смитом] I was given a Canadian passport. I actually consider myself lucky, otherwise I might not have had this opportunity,” Beterbiev said. “Sport Express”.
The boxer also noted that, most likely, next time he will also enter the ring under the Canadian flag.
Recall that the head of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Mauricio Suleiman, said that Russian boxer Artur Beterbiev, despite the political situation, can fight under the auspices of the organization, but must enter the public as a citizen. of Canada. Beterbiev has lived there for 15 years and has a suitable passport.
Formerly Artur Beterbiev Announced that he received Canadian citizenship.