Big-hitting Russian Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9ko) finally has an opponent for his IBF 175lb final eliminator – number #9 ranked Cuban, Sullivan Barrera (16-0, 11ko), in a fight that will determine the mandatory challenger to Beterbiev’s countryman and IBF, WBA (sup) and WBO light heavyweight champion, Sergey Kovalev.
Beterbiev’s team, including promoter Yvon Michel, recently opted out of facing Kovalev in Russia in November, choosing instead to go the eliminator route, and ostensibly give their man a little more time and experience before getting in with old foe Kovalev, whom incidentally Beterbiev beat twice previously in the amateurs.
