Coach Beterbiev: "The injury is minor, the return will be in November-December"

Recently there was information that the WBC, WBO, IBF light heavyweight champion Arthur Beterbiev due to injury, will not be able to face mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde in October in London, as originally planned. According to preliminary information, this fight may take place no earlier than the beginning of 2023. Beterbiev's previous fight against Adam Deines in 2020 was also rescheduled due to a rib injury to the Russian.

Mark Ramsey, Beterbiev's trainer, said the injury itself was not serious and added that Beterbiev had minor surgery on his right knee shortly after his last fight with Joe Smith Jr. in June.

“It wasn’t even an arthroscopic operation, it was just cleaning the inside of the knee,” Ramsay told Le Journal de Montreal last week. - Some fabrics deteriorate over time. It really was a trifle. After the operation, he took a two-week vacation and after them returned to training.

Ramsay said in an interview with Le Journal that he is waiting for a new fight date from Top Rank, Beterbiev's promoters. Ramsay believes Beterbiev will be able to fight before the end of this year and hopes the Russian will take on WBO Mandatory Yard in November or December. Yard is being promoted by Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions.

“Arthur is already back at the gym,” Ramsay said. - I saw what they write about him in the American media. They seem to have exaggerated a little... He will be able to fight in November or December."

Ramsay noted that the operation was successful and that Beterbiev no longer feel uncomfortable.

“It went relatively well,” Ramsay said of the operation. — As a coach, it was my decision to postpone the return date. We have started training gradually over the past few weeks. He started lifting weights and then moved on to basic boxing exercises. Only when we start intensive training will we be able to tell what form he is in. For now, we are optimistic.”