Step aside, Sven Fornling.
IBF light heavyweight champ Artur Beterbiev has received an opponent change for his May 4th title defense in Stockton, as ESPN claims that a deal is in place for Beterbiev to fight Radivoje Kalajdzic. The rest of the card is still mostly up in the air, though a fight between Jerwin Ancajas and Ryuichi Funai could serve as the co-feature.
Kalajdzic (24-1, 17 KO) has had some rough luck in recent years, losing a controversial split decision to Marcus Browne in 2016 and missing all of 2017 due to injury. He returned to action last year with a pair of gimme knockouts, the most recent coming in October.
On the one hand, it’s nice to see something go Kalajdzic’s way after what he’s dealt with. On the other, Beterbiev (13-0, 13 KO) is a monster and levels above anyone Kalajdzic’s faced aside from Browne.
At least he’s better than Fornling, I guess.