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IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev, fresh off a court loss that leaves him stuck under Yvon Michel until 2021, will make his first appearance of 2018 on October 6th at a U.S. location to be determined, taking on #8 contender Callum Johnson.
Please to agree a deal for @CallumTheOne to challenge @ABeterbiev for the IBF World title. Fight will take place October 6 in the US - full details soon
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 26, 2018
Johnson is stoked.
A massive massive thanks to @EddieHearn & @MatchroomBoxing for delivering me a child hood dream opportunity also my trainer & manager @JoeG. One thing I can promise is I’ll be giving you all 100%
— Callum Johnson (@CallumTheOne) June 26, 2018
Johnson (17-0, 12 KO) tore up Frank Buglioni last March in his biggest victory to date. It was also, frankly, his only significant victory; 12 of his 17 opponents had losing records. I can respect him for taking this opportunity despite the very, very real possibility of grievous bodily harm.
Beterbiev (12-0, 12 KO) has suffered from a combination of people avoiding him like the plague and, at least according to him, his management not doing enough to keep him busy. He’s fought just three times in the last three years, most recently battering Enrico Koelling in November in what was his first appearance in 11 months.
We’ll let you know when this gets attached to a card.