Artur Beterbiev has decided not to pursue a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. The light-heavyweight champion believes Usyk is simply too strong and too skilled, even if they were to meet at cruiserweight.
Usyk has become a dominant force in boxing. He's held all the belts at cruiserweight and now owns three of the four major heavyweight titles. His recent wins over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois have cemented his status as one of the best fighters in the world.
Beterbiev, the current undisputed light-heavyweight champion, initially wanted to face Usyk. They had fought as amateurs in the Olympics and World Championships. Beterbiev saw a professional bout as an exciting challenge.
I repeat, from a pure sporting perspective I would be interested in this fight, of course, because we boxed in the Olympics and the World Championships as amateurs. It would be interesting to try as professionals, not for money, although money would be nice, but my interest in this fight would be purely sporting, much more than monetary. Much more.
But Beterbiev has changed his mind. In a recent interview with FightHub TV, he admitted that Usyk would be too much for him to handle:
No, he's too strong for me you know. He's like heavyweight you know it's too strong even if he came back down. He's too strong [even at cruiserweight], too good.
Usyk has hinted at a possible return to cruiserweight. He's expressed interest in regaining the undisputed status he once held at 200 pounds. "I try cruiserweight again. I try [to be undisputed cruiserweight again]," Usyk said.
For now, both fighters have other plans. Usyk will likely defend his heavyweight titles against the winner of the IBF title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker. Beterbiev is set for a light-heavyweight title defense in a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, with all four belts on the line.
