Main event: Beterbiev, today’s Mike Tyson?

Artur Beterbiev (15-0, 15KOs) developed his pugilistic chops in Russia’s boxing training system, known as one of the best in the world. He represented his country at the Beijing and London Olympics, making it to the quarter finals. In 2013, after a stellar amateur career, he moved to Montréal to turn pro and train with Marc Ramsay (who had been Jean Pascal’s trainer).

Beterbiev’s plan was not only to become world champion, the cherished goal of every boxer, but to do it in less than 15 fights, an exploit in itself!

Beterbiev pulled it off and became the IBF light-heavyweight champ in his 12^th fight. He successfully defended his IBF title several times and then, in October 2019, added a second world title by winning the prestigious WBC belt. He did it by knocking out Oleksandr Gvozdyk, the formidable Ukrainian slugger who had ended the career of Québec’s Adonis Stevenson. The win over Gvozdyk was a milestone in Beterbiev’s career that confirmed his status as one of the greats.

Beterbiev has a remarkable 100% career KO record. The crushing power of his blows has drawn comparison with Mike Tyson. Marc Ramsay has said he has trouble finding sparring partners who can go more than 3 rounds with him in the gym.

Beterbiev will defend his unified championship title against China’s Fanlong Meng (16-0, 10KOs), an undefeated southpaw who competed in the Rio Olympics.

Co-features: D’Mitrius Ballard (20-0-1, 13KOs) vs Janibek Alimkhanuly (8-0, 4KOs)
The dazzling American fighter from Golden Boy Promotions will climb into the ring against the Kazakh boxer from Top Rank. The fairly evenly matched middleweights will go 10 rounds in what promises to be an exciting event.

Oscar Rivas (26-1, 18KOs), a Montrealer by adoption who is currently the WBC’s #3 ranked heavyweight, will battle Devin Vargas (22-6, 9 KOs), who competed in the Athens Olympics. Oscar needs a big win to earn a world championship elimination bout.

Undercard:

Wildfred Seyi (8-0, 4KOs) from Cameroon, living in Montréal and trained by Stéphan Larouche, represented Cameroon in the Rio Olympics and has just qualified for the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

Christian Mbilli (16-0, 15KOs) from France, also living in Montréal, is a young boxer with an impressive punch, one of several promising prospects to watch (see below).

FULL CARD: