Artur Beterbiev stands as a formidable figure in the world of boxing. Hailing from Russia, he has etched his name in the boxing industry with a string of impressive victories and unparalleled skill. Beterbiev's unique blend of technique and raw power has seen him climb the ranks, capturing the attention of boxing enthusiasts globally.
The Start Of Beterbiev’s Boxing Career
Artur Beterbiev, the tenacious Russian boxer, stepped into the professional boxing arena at the age of 28, marking his debut against Christian Cruz on June 8, 2013. He swiftly defeated Cruz with a 2nd round TKO, setting the stage for what would be a promising career. From a young age, Beterbiev drew inspiration from legends of the sport: the iconic Muhammad Ali and the ferocious Mike Tyson, with Ali taking precedence in his admiration.
Many have drawn parallels between Beterbiev and Tyson due to their shared aggressive fighting style and potent punching ability. However, in Beterbiev's eyes, he stands as an ordinary boxer when juxtaposed with Tyson's early achievements, including becoming the youngest heavyweight champion at just 20.
Most Significant Fights
Following his triumphant debut, Beterbiev quickly made a name for himself with a series of notable victories. In 2015, just two years into his professional career, he took on Alexander Johnson and became the first person to halt him in his tracks.
Fast-forwarding to 2016, Beterbiev faced Isidro Ranoni Prieto, and in a show of sheer dominance, became the first to stop Ranoni Prieto via a round 1 TKO. More recently, on January 28th, 2023, Beterbiev clashed with Anthony Yarde, showcasing his prowess and securing a victory.
As anticipation builds around his career, fans are eagerly awaiting his next showdown. For those interested in boxing match odds, Beterbiev currently has 5/18 odds of winning the match which can be found on MGM UK. Boxing fans can get involved in the rescheduled Beterbiev-Smith match, now slated for January 13th 2024, to see Artur Beterbiev against Callum Smith, anticipating another electrifying performance from the Russian sensation.
Athletic Frame & Form
Artur Beterbiev, the reigning light-heavyweight world champion, possesses a distinctive build that greatly influences his fighting style. Standing at 180 cm (5' 10.87"), with a reach spanning 185 cm (6' 0.83"), he has a notable advantage in terms of reach, demonstrated by his ape-index of 5 cm (1.97").
This additional reach, combined with his orthodox stance, allows him to command the ring, keep opponents at bay, and deliver powerful blows from a distance. His physique not only showcases his power but also reflects the strategic nuances of his boxing technique, making him a formidable opponent in the squared circle.
An Undefeated Prodigy
Artur Beterbiev boasts an unblemished record in the boxing realm, having never faced defeat in his illustrious career. He ranks top of TalkSport’s list of boxers with the highest KO percentage, among other greats like Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Gary Antuanne Russell.
His impressive 100% KO rate is a testament to his sheer power and tactical precision inside the ring. Out of his 19 KO victories, Beterbiev has asserted his dominance early on in 12 of those bouts, securing wins in the initial rounds.
Meanwhile, three of his KOs came in the mid-rounds, and four were clinched in the later rounds. Notably, on three distinct occasions, Beterbiev has showcased his overwhelming prowess with first-round KO victories, leaving opponents and spectators alike in awe.
Unbeaten World Titles
In the coveted light heavyweight division, Artur Beterbiev has firmly cemented his legacy by securing three of the four major world titles. He is the proud holder of the WBC, WBO, and IBF titles, asserting his dominance and prowess in the division.
Since 2017, Beterbiev has reigned as the IBF champion; he went on to clinch the WBC title in 2019 and subsequently added the WBO title to his collection in 2022. This triumphant journey crowns him as a unified light heavyweight champion with high-class results. Meanwhile, Dmitry Bivol, fresh from a victory over Canelo, retains the WBA strap, the only title currently eluding Beterbiev's grasp.