Beterbiev Vs Meng now pencilled in for September date in Russia
It seems hard to believe just how long this year feels. Way back in January Longjoy sports failed to make the second deposit on their winning purse bid for the IBF Light Heavyweight title fight between Arthur Beterbiev (15-0, 15) and Fanlong Meng (16-0, 10) [孟繁龙].
Since then a lot has happened, both globally and in regards to the bout.
The original plan had been to host the bout in China, then China became Canada, then the world was pretty much put on lock down and bouts were cancelled and postponed all over the globe.
It now seems a new date and venue has been found for the bout, which is now reportedly set to take place in Russia on September 25th.
Dan Rafael, writing for Boxingscene, has reported the bout is now planned to be held at the Ekaterinburg Expo, with ESPN to air it in the US, which was a key part of the deal.
The reason to move the fight to Russia is that a promoter is willing to put up the money for the bout.
What needs to be noted, as with all sport right now, is that the bout isn't signed, sealed and delivered. We dare say that until both men are in the ring, no bout should be considered a done deal.
There is obviously an on going situation that has caused bouts to be cancelled and there's a chance that the same issue could arise here, with either of the fighters testing positive or with Russia changing it's conditions on entry and sporting events. At the moment however the bout seems to be all but sorted in principle, and we need to hope that the current global situation doesn't worsen in Russia, and doesn't effect the preparation for either of the fighters.
For those wanting to read Dan Rafael's article that can be read here.
Since then a lot has happened, both globally and in regards to the bout.
The original plan had been to host the bout in China, then China became Canada, then the world was pretty much put on lock down and bouts were cancelled and postponed all over the globe.
It now seems a new date and venue has been found for the bout, which is now reportedly set to take place in Russia on September 25th.
Dan Rafael, writing for Boxingscene, has reported the bout is now planned to be held at the Ekaterinburg Expo, with ESPN to air it in the US, which was a key part of the deal.
The reason to move the fight to Russia is that a promoter is willing to put up the money for the bout.
What needs to be noted, as with all sport right now, is that the bout isn't signed, sealed and delivered. We dare say that until both men are in the ring, no bout should be considered a done deal.
There is obviously an on going situation that has caused bouts to be cancelled and there's a chance that the same issue could arise here, with either of the fighters testing positive or with Russia changing it's conditions on entry and sporting events. At the moment however the bout seems to be all but sorted in principle, and we need to hope that the current global situation doesn't worsen in Russia, and doesn't effect the preparation for either of the fighters.
For those wanting to read Dan Rafael's article that can be read here.