Beyond the ropes, Artur Beterbiev prefers to disconnect from the sport—and at time, reality—as often as possible.

“I’m the wrong person to ask about another fighter,” the unbeaten knockout artist and reigning light heavyweight titlist confessed to BoxingScene.com. “When I’m training, I don’t pay attention to anything else. When my fight is done, I only pay attention to what’s important to my family.”

There’s no question that Ukraine’s Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-0, 14KOs) will have the full, undivided attention of Beterbiev (14-0, 14KOs) when they collide in a title unification clash Friday evening at the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Friday, ESPN, 10:00pm ET). Two alphabet belts are at stake along with Gvozdyk’s lineal light heavyweight championship, although the site’s location has the Russia-born, Canada-based slugger almost equally as intrigued.

“I’ve never been to Philadelphia before (this week),” noted Beterbiev. “I’ve always wanted to come here, it’s the city of Rocky Balboa!

“Of course, it’s a famous boxing city for real fights too. I hope our fight is remembered like all of the others.”

Landing in the City of Brotherly Love becomes a bucket list item checked off for Beterbiev, who prefers to live his life one goal at a time and always with his family at the forefront. It’s why the two-time Olympian and his wife picked up and moved from Russia to Montreal, Canada in 2013, coinciding with the launch of his pro career and where they continue to live and raise their four children.

“I appreciate the praise I get for my fights,” acknowledges Beterbiev. “After my fights, though, I’m very simple. There’s always something to do around the house or with my kids. I like taking them to school and picking them up, helping them with their homework. We love going to the movies together.

“We’re very simple. That’s how I like to (live) life, separate from the boxing.”   

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox