Artur Beterbiev will reportedly, but not yet officially, return to Saudi Arabia on 22 November to face hard-punching American Deon Nicholson on the stacked Ring IV bill in Riyadh. It will be the first time since 2017 that the Montreal-based Russian, now 21-1, 20 KOs, steps through the ropes without a world title on the line.
The 40-year-old former undisputed light-heavyweight king had chased a trilogy clash with current champion Dmitry Bivol, but that rubber match collapsed after Bivol vacated the WBC belt rather than meet mandatory David Benavidez - who defends the vacant strap against Anthony Yarde in the same stadium one fight later.
Instead Beterbiev keeps active against Tuscaloosa puncher Nicholson, 22-1, 18 KOs, a stable-mate of Deontay Wilder who stopped Devonte Williams in June. Nicholson has never faced an opponent of Beterbiev’s calibre; the bout gives the Russian a chance to stay sharp while waiting for a new route back to championship gold.
Get to know more about Benavidez vs. Yarde card.
Image Credit: DAZN