WBC and IBF light heavyweight titlist Artur Beterbiev’s Jan. 30 fight against Adam Deines has been postponed after Beterbiev tested positive for COVID-19.
The 35-year-old was scheduled to make his fourth defense of the IBF title and first defense of the WBC title he won in 2019 by TKO over Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
“Unfortunately, I got a coronavirus,” Beterbiev posted on Instagram. “Therefore my fight with Adam Deines, scheduled for January 30, is postponed for a later date. I will try to recover as soon as possible and return to preparations.
“I hope for your understanding and support.”
The entire Beterbiev-Deines card is now off and a Top Rank source said the hope is to have the fight rescheduled for the spring. It’s the latest postponement for Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KO), who had his March 28 fight against Meng Fanlong canceled due to the COVID pandemic and his initial Oct. 23 fight with Deines (19-1-1, 10 KO) postponed due to a rib injury Beterbiev suffered.
The fight was scheduled to take place in Moscow.