WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev of Russia reacted to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk's criticism of Russia.
Could his statements be an additional motivation for me in the fight? I would have been motivated in any case. As for his words... I think you can understand him, the way doctors understand a sick person. They understand the patient, they don't judge them. Boxers miss a lot of hits in the head, especially in the heavyweight division. We have to make allowances, not to be offended, to be understanding.
Artur Beterbiev, quoted by Sport-Express
Beterbiev had his last fight against Britain's Anthony Yarde in January 2023. Artur won that fight by TKO in the eighth round.
In June, 2022 Beterbiev fought American Joe Smith Jr. That fight, which was stopped in the second round, finished in Arthur's favor by TKO. He has 19 wins (all by KO) and no defeats under his belt.