The superfight with the participation of Dmitry Bivola and Artur Beterbiev could become one of the main events of the year in the world of sports. However, the fight for the status of absolute world champion will not take place in the near future. Whether the two Russians will fight in principle is an open question. One of them suddenly had problems.

The WBO threatened to strip Beterbiev of his championship belt. Do they really not believe in the Russian’s injury?

“Not now, then later”

On the first day of summer in Saudi Arabia, the long-awaited fight for the title of absolute world boxing champion in the light heavyweight category was supposed to take place. IBF, WBC and WBO world champion Artur Beterbiev planned to fight in the ring with WBA Super and IBO world champion Dmitry Bivol. However, boxing fans will not see the superfight on June 1.

“Unfortunately, injuries in professional sports are not uncommon, and no one is immune from them. I sincerely did not want the upcoming fight to be postponed, but the doctors insisted on postponing. I thank everyone who has already bought tickets, this fight will definitely take place, but a little later. Thank you all for your support,” Beterbiev wrote on social networks.

Later it turned out that Arthur had a knee injury, he needed surgery and, at least until September, the athlete was out of action. Bivol was not too happy about the changes, but he could only come to terms with reality and look for other options.

— To be honest, I didn’t have time to philosophize. I accepted the situation – this fight will not happen now. There will be another fight, we need other sparring partners. And the fight (with Beterbiev)… Well, not now, then later. What to do. Nothing depends on us here,” Bivol told Match TV.

“Will give up all rights”

For the WBA champion, certainty came quite quickly. On June 1 in Riyadh, he will still enter the ring to make another defense: his opponent will be Libyan Malik Zinad. Beterbiev’s immediate plans included only overcoming the consequences of the injury. However, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) came up with another urgent and very important task for Arthur.

– Beterbiev is ordered to provide within the next 10 days a detailed medical explanation of his injury, a report, a prognosis for recovery and a doctor’s opinion as to when he will be physically and medically cleared to compete and return to active sports activities. Failure to comply with this instruction will result in Beterbiev waiving all rights under this agreement and the committee will act in accordance with the WBO regulations on competition for the world title,” the organization’s press service quotes WBO Chairman Luis Batista.

The WBO’s threat to act “in accordance with the championship competition regulations” hints that Beterbiev could lose the title if he does not promptly submit official medical documents. The WBC and IBF have not yet come up with such initiatives, but if Arthur has difficulties with one boxing organization, there is a risk that others will doubt the reality of the Russian’s health problems. And in such situations, not only the fight with Bivol, but also the career of the armored personnel carrier itself will be in question.

Did the World Boxing Organization really think that Arthur simply decided to cheat and evade the championship fight? We can only hope that the Russian will quickly refute such speculation.

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