Undefeated Russian contender Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9ko) will face German-based Armenian, Karo Murat (27-2-1, 17ko) on the Nov 28 DeGale/Bute bill in Quebec, Canada, in an IBF final eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger to Beterbiev’s countryman and old amateur rival, Sergey Kovalev.
It was initially supposed to be Sullivan Barrera in the opposite corner to Beterbiev, though when the unbeaten Cuban had to pull out after experiencing Visa issues, his friend and teammate, Yunieski Gonzalez – last seen dropping an entertaining, yet debatable decision to Jean Pascal in Canada back in July – was offered the opportunity by the IBF, although it’s transpired he too has passed up the chance in favour of a different – undisclosed – option, paving the way for Murat.
Murat has been pretty inactive since his October 2013 loss to former champion Bernard Hopkins, boxing just the once in a bounce-back fight in 2014 to the 9-6 Leo Tchoula [W/TKO/4], as well as a solitary outing this year against Benjmin Simon in Germany [W/TKO/7] – a fight which captured him the lightly regarded IBF International strap.
IBF #14, Murat’s other defeat was a 10th round stoppage at the hands of Welshman, Nathan Cleverly in 2010, when he was stopped by the ringside doctor and prevented from answering the bell for the 11th round.
The Al Haymon advised Beterbiev was last seen in June when he beat America’s Alexander Johnson by 7th round stoppage.
The two sides have until October 22nd to agree terms before a purse bid is ordered.
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