The only world champion with a 100% knockout ratio has claimed in interviews that he isn’t even a fan of boxing.
Speaking to Intu Boxing earlier this year, light heavyweight hitter Artur Beterbiev was recently asked how he can spend his life in the squared ring but seemingly get no enjoyment from watching fighting.
“You fan of your own work?” the Russia-born, Canada-based boxer asked the interviewer in retort.
“I can’t be boxing fan. I’m a fan of my training and everything, very focused, very serious, but not a fan of boxing.”
When he was then asked if he watches a lot of boxing he has a simple answer.
“No.”
This is not the first time we’ve heard from reluctant boxers who claim they only fight because it is a job, with American heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson saying he has ‘no love’ for the sport earlier in the year.
Beterbiev is almost as blunt in the ring. He has knocked out all 19 of his challengers and is the current IBF, WBO and WBC world light heavyweight champion with wins over Anthony Yarde, Joe Smith Jr and Callum Johnson, who is the only man to ever put Beterbiev down.
Next up is a rescheduled bout with Callum Smith on January 13th in Quebec City, should Beterbiev recover from the jaw surgery he has recently had to have.
Smith has been out of the ring since August last year when he knocked out Mathieu Bauderlique in the fourth round. The fight with Beterbiev marks a real step up for former super-middleweight champion Smith and will be streamed by Sky Sports Action in the UK.