Injury Strikes Artur Beterbiev Off November 28 Fight Card

Montreal’s adopted son and light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) will not be fighting on November 28 at the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City.

The Groupe Yvon Michel-promoted boxer injured his shoulder during training last week, forcing him to withdraw from his bout.

Beterbiev is currently world rated at No. 2 by both the IBF and WBO, as well as No. 3 by the WBA and No. 4 by the WBC.

The decision was made Tuesday morning after the two-time Russian Olympian met GYM’s doctor, Francis Fontaine, and surgeon David Baillargeon determined Beterbiev needs minor but necessary surgery to his right shoulder.

“Under my supervision, Artur had a magnetic resonance examination Friday,” Dr. Fontaine explained. “After a meeting this morning, we have decided that Artur’s surgery would be performed in the next few days by specialist Dr. Baillargeon. We expect a complete recovery followed by a return to the ring at the beginning of 2016.”

“I am extremely frustrated and disappointed by the situation,” Beterbiev said. “I was preparing myself hard to give another great show to the fans, November 28, but I will be back stronger in 2016.”.

The fighter will start his rehabilitation four days after his surgery, under the wing of physiotherapist Hugo Lettre, from Evolution Physio.

“We have absolute confidence in our medical staff, including the talented Dr. Baillargeon,” GYM president Yvon Michel added. “This is the same doctor that saved the shoulder, which was in a really worst state, and the career of Jean Pascal, in January 2010. Seven months later, Jean defended his title belt, in spectacular fashion, against Chad Dawson.”