ARTUR BETERBIEV has tested positive for coronavirus with his world title fight against Adam Deines postponed.
The Russian was due to defend his WBC and IBF light-heavyweight crowns on January 30 in Moscow.
But the new rearranged date of the bout is still unknown as Beterbiev’s nightmare 2020 took another bad twist.
He has not fought since beating Oleksandr Gvozdyk in October 2019 – 14 months ago – to take his record to 15-0, with all 15 by knockout.
Canelo Alvarez could have taken on Beterbiev then but instead the Mexican ducked him to dispatch an easier Russian opponent in the shape of Sergey Kovalev.
Beterbiev, 35, was due to take on Fanlong Meng in a defence of his crowns earlier this year before Covid-19 and visa issues wiped out that fight.
His fight with German Deines was then originally put in the diary for October 23.
However, a broken rib for the Russian boxer delayed it until the end of January.
And now his positive coronavirus test result has pushed it back further.
Both the Meng and Deines clashes were simply seen as fights to keep Beterbiev active before a blockbuster 2021.
JUST ANNOUNCED
Following a positive COVID-19 test, #BeterbievDeines will no longer take place Jan. 30 on ESPN+. More updates on the Light Heavyweight king's return to come soon. pic.twitter.com/KUhG1cLt35
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 28, 2020
Plenty of fans want to see him go up against 17-0 compatriot and WBA champ Dmitry Bivol next year.
Another option could be the winner of the Joe Smith Jr vs Maxim Vlasov fight for the vacant WBO belt scheduled for February 13.
Haitian Canadian star Jean Pascal – who holds the WBA (Regular) and WBC Silver light-heavyweight titles – may also be in contention.
