In one of the last big fights left for 2021, it’s a clash between 2012 Olympians for the lineal light heavyweight title with some balance of power intrigue at play on Friday night (ESPN+, 8 PM EST).

Champion Artur Beterbiev is promoted by Top Rank. Challenger Marcus Browne is under the PBC umbrella. In a world where Saul Alvarez seems open to fighting anywhere from super middleweight to cruiserweight now, having hardware at light heavyweight matters. 

It’s a good fight without any of that. Browne is a talented boxer with power but one with established vulnerabilities. Beterbiev is a formidable, but aging, tank of a fighter. Both have had only one fight in the last two years. Beterbiev was also an Olympian in 2008 and won a World Amateur crown in 2009 but with all that experience comes miles.

Can Browne make the miles add up on Friday?   

Let’s get into it. 

Stats and Stakes

Artur Beterbiev

Age: 36

Titles: IBF Light Heavyweight (2017-Present, 4 Defenses); Lineal/TBRB/WBC Light Heavyweight (2019-Present, 1 Defense)

Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’11 ½  

Weight: 175 lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Khasavyurt, Russia

Record: 16-0, 16 KO

Record in Major Title Fights: 5-0, 5 KO

Last Five Opponents: 100-3-1 (.966)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Tavoris Cloud KO2; Gabriel Campillo KO4; Oleksandr Gvozdyk TKO10

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None   

Vs.

Marcus Browne 

Age: 31

Title/Previous Titles: None*

Height: 6’1 ½   

Weight: 174 ½ lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: Staten Island, New York

Record: 24-1, 16 KO

Press Rankings: #5 (TBRB, Ring), #8 (ESPN, BoxRec) 

Record in Major Title Fights: N/A (1-1 in interim title fights)

Last Five Opponents: 110-21-6 (.825)

Notable Outcomes, Ring/TBRB Rated Foes: Badou Jack UD12; Jean Pascal L8

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

*Browne held an interim WBA title in 2019

The Pick: Browne has been an up and down fighter, sometimes literally. Browne was solid against Badou Jack but his chin and durability are real question marks. Browne has been down in multiple fights, including three times against an aged Jean Pascal. Beterbiev has been down as well, against Callum Johnson, but showed good recovery and has since taken some good shots against Gvozdyk. Browne is a little taller and longer but the idea of keeping Beterbiev away for twelve rounds feels like a lot to ask. Beterbiev isn’t a headhunter. He’s a complete boxer who works up and down with harsh leather, focus, and patience. If Browne doesn’t get caught early this could go some rounds and, if Browne can get a lead, he has the acumen to keep it. The more likely scenario is Beterbiev catches up to him and can take what Browne has to offer better than the reverse. The pick is Beterbiev by stoppage.

Rold Picks 2021: 48-13

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com