03 January 2020, 11:58
Media report Beterbiev's unwillingness to defend title in China because of Muslims' oppressions there
Arthur Beterbiev, the light heavyweight champion in professional boxing versions of IBF and WBC, intends to refuse from defending his title in China in a fight with the Chinese, Meng Fanlong, because of this country's policy regarding Muslim Uyghurs.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at night on May 5, in Stockton (USA, California), Arthur Beterbiev, a native of Dagestan and a member of the "Akhmat" Chechen Fighting Club, defeated the American Radivoye Kalajdjic and confirmed his title of world light heavyweight champion according to the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
Arthur Beterbiev may refuse the mandatory IBF belt defence, the edition named "BoxingScene" reported on January 2.
Beterbiev, who professes Islam, doesn't want to fight in China, as he treats the authorities of this country responsible for repressions against Uyghurs, the edition writes with reference to its sources.
Since Meng Fanlong is a mandatory contender, in case of Beterbiev's refusal, he may be deprived of his champion belts according to the IBF and WBC versions, the "Championat.com" explained on January 2.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 3, 2020 at 05:30 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
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