Beterbiev vs Deines: Adam Deines expecting the toughest fight of his career

Adam Deines has world title aspirations, and this weekend he’ll get his shot when he faces unified light heavyweight titleholder Artur Beterbiev. Deines had been waiting on this opportunity which had been previously delayed, but the time has now arrived and Deines admits to RingTV that it wasn’t easy keeping himself motivated through training for this fight which was pushed back a few times before. But in spite of all that, Deines says he’s prepared himself as best as he can and is fully aware of what he’s going up against.

“It’s the biggest challenge in my boxing life,” admitted Deines. “I feel very fit, well prepared and I’m very optimistic in my first chance to grab a world title belt. Even if it will be very difficult, I will invest everything and reward myself for all the many years of hard training.

“Beterbiev is a strong and tough guy with a 100-percent KO record, the only world champion with such a record. But he’s also only a human being—with weaknesses.”

Deines wonders if Beterbiev’s long layoff from the ring might not work against Beterbiev who is now 36 years old. Either way, Deines says he and his team have closely studied Beterbiev and expect to show some new wrinkles of their own once the opening bell rings.

There’s no question about it, though. Deines is heading into this fight as a considerable underdog who’s going to have to earn his respect the hard way if he can manage it. For his part, Deines believes he’s got what it take to upset the odds. We’ll find out one way or another when the two fighters collide on ESPN this Saturday, with the Moscow card set to air starting at 3 p.m. ET.