Artur Beterbiev to box Sullivan Barrera in IBF light-heavyweight eliminator
Friday 28 August 2015 15:36, UK
Artur Beterbiev will face Sullivan Barrera in an IBF light-heavyweight title eliminator for the right to challenge Sergey Kovalev.
The 30-year-old Russian has made waves since turning professional, stopping all nine of his opponents and building a reputation as one of the most fearsome punchers in boxing.
In the Abel Sanchez-trained Barrera (16-0-KO11), he faces an unbeaten Cuban who stopped Jeff Lacy in four rounds at the start of the year and is currently ranked ninth by the IBF.
Beterbiev's search for an opponent for an eliminator has been a relatively difficult one, with third-ranked Bernard Hopkins, Erik Skoglund (fourth) and Jean Pascal (eighth) all reportedly turning down the chance to face him.
Victory over Barrera would set up an exciting all-Russian world title clash between Beterbiev and Kovalev, with the former boasting two amateur victories over the reigning WBA (Super), WBO and IBF world champion.
Beterbiev, whose team turned down the chance to take on his compatriot next in November and opted for the eliminator route in a bid to enhance his experience, was last in action stopping Alexander Johnson in seven in June.
Elsewhere in an intriguing division, Andrzej Fonfara faces former world champion Nathan Cleverly in Chicago on October 16.
