Artur Beterbiev is threading onto a new course of his career after the Canadian-Russian fighter revealed his contract with Top Rank was expired and he had become a free agent.
Informing the public of the news through social media, Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KO’s) further confirmed he was still planning to continue to fight:
“Hi everyone. From this June I’m a free agent,” said Beterbiev.
“My contract with Top Rank expired. I’m grateful for all these years with Top Rank and want to thank them for the opportunities they gave me.
“I want everyone, who follow and support me, to know that I believe — the best fights are ahead.“
Despite Artur Beterbiev claiming to have been a free agent since June, it’s unclear whether other promotions had knowledge surrounding his contract status given Beterbiev has not yet landed with any promoter.
Given his position in the sport as a former undisputed light-heavyweight (175 lbs) that’s still considered a top contender in the division, there will be many promotions looking to secure his signature even at his age of 40.
Prevalent promotions such as Matchroom and Queensberry Promotions might already be angling, or have tried, to secure the fighter’s signature but there is also the chance of Beterbiev remaining a free agent while taking on opponents on a fight-to-fight basis, allowing him more flexibility in regards to matchmaking.
A couple fighters such as Terence Crawford, Dillian Whyte and Devin Haney have proved to be able to successfully navigate their careers as free agents yet it is not the standard method in which professional boxers choose to go through their careers.
Beterbiev will also be eyeing a trilogy fight with current unified [WBA, WBO & IBF] 175-pound Russian champion Dmitry Bivol (24-1, 12 KO’s) with both two fighters retaining a record of 1-1 against each other.
Artur Beterbiev signed with Top Rank in 2019 after coming over from Canadian promotion, GYM Promotions, following a legal dispute between the fighter and GYM. During his tenure with Top Rank, Beterbiev became a world, unified and undisputed champion before losing all 175 lbs his titles in a rematch with Bivol this past February.
