Artur Beterbiev Fight With Deines Off Due To Covid
It seems Artur Beterbiev’s latest title defense will have to wait.
WBC and IBF light heavyweight titleholder Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) was scheduled to take on Adam Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs) in Russia on January 30th is now off as Beterbiev has been the latest boxer to test positive for coronavirus.
“Dear friends! Unfortunately, I got a coronavirus. Therefore, my fight with Adam Deines, scheduled for January 30, is postponed for a later date. I will try to recover as soon as possible and return to preparations. I hope for your understanding and support,” Beterbiev said on his Instagram account Monday.
? JUST ANNOUNCED ?
Following a positive COVID-19 test, #BeterbievDeines will no longer take place Jan. 30 on ESPN+. More updates on the Light Heavyweight king's return to come soon. pic.twitter.com/KUhG1cLt35
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 28, 2020
This fight for Beterbiev is another one in a long list of delays and setbacks. The original long-awaited mandatory challenger Meng Fanlong was originally slated to take on Beterbiev, but the pandemic bought that to a halt. When it was rescheduled, Fanlong couldn’t make the bout due to visa issues, which wouldn’t let him return to China or the United States from Russia when Deines was the next man up ironically in his lone loss, was to Fanlong back in June 2019.
Beterbiev and Deines were originally scheduled to fight on Oct. 23, but Beterbiev suffered a rib injury training. Information about the rescheduled Beterbiev-Deines showdown will be announced in due course.
Marquis Johns is a unknown humorist and avid boxing fan. His love for the sweet science goes back to when matches were 15 rounds and has been covering fights since closed-circuit pay-per-views. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth is not only a quote by Mike Tyson, it's also a pretty good reminder to keep your guard up.
