Beterbiev: “There will be no fight with Usyk, he is too strong for me!”

Artur Beterbiev, the undisputed light heavyweight champion with a terrifying 21-0 record and 20 knockouts to his name, has flatly admitted that he is not ready for a fight with Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated heavyweight king. In an interview with Fight Hub on January 13, Beterbiev confessed: “There will be no fight with Usyk. “It’s too strong for me.” At least he’s honest, huh?

Beterbiev made it very clear in an interview with Fight Hub TV that moving up to heavyweight to face Usyk is not on his to-do list. “If he comes back to my division, then I will fight him. But not at heavyweight. Cruiser weight? No. Too strong, too good.” Well, that’s one way to avoid a beating.

The pair have history, having faced each other three times in the amateur ranks. Usyk won twice and it seems those memories are still fresh for Beterbiev. I can’t say I blame him for not wanting to be a part of the man who just raised Tyson Fury.

Speaking of Fury, Beterbiev also had some thoughts on the matter. “Fury fought well. I’m a little sorry there aren’t any big names in heavyweight right now. I mean, true legends like Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson. Right now, Usyk and Fury are the best in this weight class.” Translation: Heavyweight is kind of a dream party these days, aside from Usyk and Fury.

To be fair, Beterbiev’s honesty is rare in boxing. Most fighters would have given some canned line about “considering all options” or “testing yourself against the best.” Instead, Beterbiev basically says, “No, buddy. “I’ll stay in my own lane.”