10/18 ESPN: Oleksandr Gvozdyk vs Artur Beterbiev (WBC/IBF Light Heavyweight Title unification)

[patscorpio]

Undefeated light heavyweight world titleholders Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Artur Beterbiev will meet to unify their belts in a highly significant fight on Oct. 18, promoter Top Rank announced on Saturday night.

The fight, which will headline a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card (ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 10 p.m. ET with preliminary bout streaming on ESPN+ beginning at 7 p.m. ET), has been penciled in for some time, but now it's official, as is the site -- the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.

The fight matches former Olympians -- Gvozdyk claimed a bronze medal for Ukraine in 2012, and Beterbiev represented Russia in 2009 and 2012 -- with a combined professional record of 31-0 with 28 knockouts.

"This could very well be the fight of the year," Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. "These are two evenly matched, undefeated light heavyweight champions. There is nothing better in the sport of boxing."

Also the lineal light heavyweight champion, Gvozdyk (17-0, 14 KOs), 32, who fights out Oxnard, California, will be making his second title defense. He won his title by 11th-round knockout of Adonis Stevenson on Stevenson's turf in Quebec City in December and knocked out Doudou Ngumbu in the fifth round of a one-sided fight in his first defense, on March 30 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

"My first goal was to win a light heavyweight world title. Now, I want to unify the belts, and that mission starts with Artur Beterbiev," said Gvozdyk, who is trained by International Boxing Hall of Famer and longtime ESPN commentator Teddy Atlas. "This is going to be a spectacular fight, one that the fans will enjoy. The fans asked for this fight, and we will deliver. One thing I know is that I will be the unified champion. I have the best trainer, Teddy Atlas, in my corner. This is our third fight together, and under his guidance, I will continue to get better."

Beterbiev (14-0, 14 KOs), 34, who fights out of Montreal, will be making his third title defense. He owns an amateur victory over Gvozdyk.

Beterbiev knocked out Enrico Koelling in the 12th round to win a vacant title in November 2017, survived a knockdown to stop Callum Johnson in the fourth round in October and knocked out "Hot Rod" Radivoje Kalajdzic on May 4 in Stockton, California.

Like Gvozdyk, Beterbiev also wanted to unify titles, and since Top Rank promotes both fighters, it was a relatively easy fight to make.

"I wish to thank Top Rank and my opponent, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, for making this unification bout possible and giving the fans around the world what they want," Beterbiev said. "This will be a great fight between the two champions who aspire to become the undisputed light heavyweight world champion. I am looking forward to stepping into the ring on Oct. 18."

 

[malbaker86]

I still don't know who i want to win

 

[patscorpio]

I still don't know who i want to win

to me its going to be whoever catches who first

 

[patscorpio]

 

[desjardins]

Oh wow, wonder why this fight location is in north philly of all places
I remember Beterbiev was getting a lot of hype when he first joined PBC, people saying he'd retired BHop and all that.
Seems like his hype went way down despite not taking a L yet.
edit: damn dude 34? wtf.

 

[patscorpio]

Oh wow, wonder why this fight location is in north philly of all places
I remember Beterbiev was getting a lot of hype when he first joined PBC, people saying he'd retired BHop and all that.
Seems like his hype went way down despite not taking a L yet.
edit: damn dude 34? wtf.

Beterbiev had promoter issues. He's been pretty active for him. This fight will be his 3rd in the last 12 months. But he doesn't have that much time or prime left. Winner gets 2 belts and is the man at 175. So it's now or never for him.

God willing I hope I get a credential for this fight

 

[Bigblackted4]

Beterbiev had promoter issues. He's been pretty active for him. This fight will be his 3rd in the last 12 months. But he doesn't have that much time or prime left. Winner gets 2 belts and is the man at 175. So it's now or never for him.

God willing I hope I get a credential for this fight

If you do let me know I’ll be in the building going to buy my ticket Friday

 

[patscorpio]

If you do let me know I’ll be in the building going to buy my ticket Friday

You already know breh ..I wont know until sometime around Oct 10th - Oct 12th. I hate they wait this long to let you know but what are you going to do

 

[Bigblackted4]

You already know breh ..I wont know until sometime around Oct 10th - Oct 12th. I hate they wait this long to let you know but what are you going to do

I’m taking the day off so I’ll be up there all day kicking it. Honestly that’ll be my first weekend off in forever and I’m driving to Cleveland in the morning

 

[Recca Gatsby]

Can't wait for this fight

 

[Rev Leon Lonnie Love]

soon

 

[patscorpio]

@Bigblackted4 Ted got my credential approval for this..looks like ill be going to Philly on Friday..now going to do some quick arrangements lol

 

[Bigblackted4]

@Bigblackted4 Ted got my credential approval for this..looks like ill be going to Philly on Friday..now going to do some quick arrangements lol

Right I’m still trying to decide if I want to go up Thursday night after work

 

[patscorpio]

Right I’m still trying to decide if I want to go up Thursday night after work

My cousin lives nearby there so I'm crashing there. When I get back to my office I'll be making that decision too..to take the bus late night Thursday or the earliest time friday

 

[patscorpio]