Light heavyweight prospect Artur Beterbiev is quickly becoming light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev, and with a scheduled fight on April 4 against former titleholder Gabriel Campillo, he has a chance to make his case for a world title shot sooner than later if he can win impressively once again.
Beterbiev (7-0, 7 KO) has steamrolled his professional opposition thus far, including a KO-2 win last September over Tavoris Cloud, another ex-titlist. Trainer Marc Ramsay believes it will be just another step for Beterbiev, 30, a fighter he considers a contender already.
"It is a good fight against an excellent opponent; a resistant, experienced guy," said Ramsay. "Campillo will bring a lot of ring experience to Artur. My boxer continues to improve every day but, in fact, he is already ready for the best."
Beterbiev has sparred recently with Bob Ajisafe and Blake Caparello, who believes Campillo (25-6-1, 12 KO) is in for a brief outing. "I really think it will be a short night for Campillo," Caparello said. "This guy has some incredible brute force. He could even chase and hunt down a strong Sergey Kovalev in the ring,"
Caparello lost to Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KO) by second round stoppage last August, so he knows the power and skill of both men first-hand. It's also well-known that Beterbiev, a former two-time European Amateurs gold medalist, beat Kovalev in the amateur ranks. He wants to do so again in the pro game.
"I will put on a good show and fight April 4th," Beterbiev said. "When I step in the ring, I don't have a friend. I want to continue to get better until I face Sergey Kovalev again. And I will beat him again!"
Beterbiev-Campillo will be the co-feature bout in Quebec on April 4, when Premier Boxing Champions debuts on CBS. The main event will be a light heavyweight championship fight between Adonis Stevenson and Sakio Bika.