WBC and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Arthur Beterbiev claims that at one time he negotiated a contract with the head of the Matchroom Boxing promotional company Eddie Hearn, but refused to go to ...
“I don't want to go back in time, but I have to tell you something. I negotiated a contract with Top Rank and Matchroom, and at that time Usyk won all the titles. I then owned the IBF light heavyweight belt, and Usyk was the undisputed champion in the first heavyweight division.
I made a very simple proposal to Eddie Hearn. I said: "If you guarantee me a fight for Usyk's titles in his weight, then I will go to you." They were silent for a week or two, and then they did not answer. That's why I didn't go to them.
At that time, Matchroom offered a little less than Top Rank, but for me it was a bigger challenge. I don't want to talk about our fights at the Olympics and the World Championship. I was wondering how our fight would turn out as a pro: with different gloves, for 12 rounds and without helmets,” Beterbiev said on the Calling Russ Anber podcast.