Artur Beterbiev apparently has no reservations taking part in the biggest fight of his career on the heels of a month-long period of fasting.

Earlier this week, BoxingScene.com reported that Beterbiev, the WBC, WBO, IBF light heavyweight champion from Russia, is currently in talks with compatriot Dmitry Bivol, the WBA titlist, for the undisputed 175-pound championship this summer, possibly in June in Abu Dhabi.

The news was greeted as something of a pleasant surprise as it appeared that a Beterbiev-Bivol fight was simply not in the cards for 2023 because of business politics; Beterbiev is promoted by Top Rank, a company that exclusively showcases its fighters on ESPN, while Bivol is handled by Matchroom, which has a similar content output deal with DAZN.

In the interview with BoxingScene.com, Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom, told Declan Taylor that one potential obstacle to the fight has to do with its timing, particularly as it relates to Beterbiev. The 38-year-old Beterbiev, a devout Muslim, would be coming off the Ramadan holiday, a period that lasts from March 22 to April 21. Hearn seemed to suggest that Beterbiev would have to be willing to fight “off the back of Ramadan” in order for the full unification bout to take place next. Bivol, 32, has a stacked plate for 2023: he will likely engage Canelo Alvarez in the fall. (Hearn also noted that his charge Joshua Buatsi could potentially step in to fight Bivol.) 

But according to a member of Beterbiev’s inner circle, Anthony Rudman, a legal advisor for Beterbiev, the June date is simply not an issue for their side.

Rudman pointed out that Beterbiev fought in June last year, when he unified three belts against Joe Smith Jr. at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“What Eddie Hearn was saying is correct,” Rudman told BoxingScene.com. “There are ongoing negotiations for a Beterbiev-Bivol fight in June in Abu Dhabi.

“Artur’s wishes are to fight against Bivol next, and I think he’s been pretty clear about that after his [last] fight against [Anthony] Yarde, He will be ready to fight Bivol in June, despite Ramadan. I’ve seen some articles saying that June is right after Ramadan and that that fight can’t happen. What I can tell you is Artur is willing and able to fight in June. Actually he fought in the middle or end of June against Smith. The June aspect is not a problem. But the negotiations are really between the promoters, between Top Rank and Matchroom, at this stage and they are ongoing."

Rudman said that he believes Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, would be an appropriate place for the fight because of Beterbiev’s Islamic heritage. Bivol fought his last fight there, in November, a dominant points win over Gilberto Ramirez.

Beterbiev, who resides in Montreal, is used to travelling. He has won all three of his titles on foreign soil. Beterbiev’s last fight against Yarde, in January, took place in Yarde’s backyard in London.

“It’s not an issue,” Rudman said of the fight’s potential location. “I think it’s probably a good place for that fight to happen. Artur is Muslim I think there would be a lot of fans that would be cheering for Artur if the fight happens in Abu Dhabi.

“Artur wants this fight to happen,” Rudman continued. “Artur’s goals has always been to unify all the titles. He won the IBF title and then he unified with Gvozdyk and then he unified again when he fought Joe Smith. When he fought Joe Smith it was under the condition that he fight the mandatory challenger in Yarde which Artur did in January …now that this mandatory is out of the way, Artur wants to unify. The unification right now is against Bivol who is the WBA title holder. That’s the fight that he wants next.”

Asked if the biggest sticking point in their talks concerns the broadcaster for the fight, Rudman declined to comment.

“I think it’s a very important aspect of the negotiations, obviously, and that’s really something for Top Rank and Matchroom to agree on, “Rudman said. “I don't want to comment more on that because it’s really between them.”