March 28: KO King Artur Beterbiev to Defend Light Heavyweight World Titles Against Meng Fanlong Live on ESPN
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Feb 2020
The Quebec City showdown will air live on ESPN starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
QUEBEC CITY, Canada (Feb. 14, 2020) — WBC/IBF light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev, boxing’s reigning knockout king, will look to make it a Sweet 16 north of the border. Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs), the sport’s only current world champion with a 100 percent KO rate, will defend his titles against IBF No. 1 contender Meng Fanlong Saturday, March 28 from Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
The Russian-born Beterbiev has made his home in Montreal for several years and will fight in his adopted home country for the first time as a world champion. This is title defense number four for Beterbiev, who unified titles last October with a sensational knockout victory over Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk.
Beterbiev-Fanlong and a co-feature will be televised LIVE on ESPN beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, Roc Nation Sports and Gestev, tickets priced ($CA) at $542, $330, $275, $137, $104, $75 and $55 (including fees and taxes) go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. ET and are available via www.ticketmaster.ca and in person at the Videotron Centre box office.
“Artur Beterbiev is uniquely motivated to put on a show for his Canadian fans, as he returns to Canada as a unified world champion,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Like Artur, Meng was a tremendous amateur. He’s fought around the world and will not be intimidated as a challenger in foreign territory.”
"Team Meng has waited a very long time for his opportunity, and now his time is here,” said Dino Duva of Roc Nation Sports and Meng's promoter. “Artur Beterbiev is one of the best fighters in the world, and that's what will make this fight so special for Fanlong. I sincerely believe Fanlong will win and make history. I cannot wait for March 28 in Quebec City."
Beterbiev was a standout Russian amateur who competed for his homeland at the 2012 London and 2008 Beijing Olympics, but he moved to Montreal to begin his professional career. A seven-year pro, Beterbiev fought 10 of his first 11 bouts in the province of Quebec, building a devoted fanbase in his new home. He knocked out Enrico Koelling in 12 rounds to win the IBF light heavyweight world title in November 2017. Two successful title defenses followed before he met WBC world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk last October. In one of the best fights of the year, Beterbiev stopped Gvozdyk in 10 rounds to unify the belts.
“I'm very much looking forward to defending my IBF and WBC titles against mandatory challenger Meng Fanlong on March 28 in beautiful Quebec City,” Beterbiev said. “I'm training hard, improving every day, and I intend to perform at my best in front of my Canadian supporters!”
Fanlong (16-0, 10 KOs), from Chifeng, China, was a 2012 Olympian who advanced to the round of 16 before turning pro in January 2015. He is an experienced road warrior, as he traveled to Monaco and knocked out former British light heavyweight champion Frank Buglioni in November 2018. Last June, in a world title eliminator, he survived an eighth-round knockdown to secure a unanimous decision over the then-unbeaten Adam Deines. He stayed busy last October in New Jersey with a second-round stoppage over Gilberto Rubio. Fanlong is aiming to become the first male Chinese boxer above featherweight to capture a world title.
“I am truly honored to be fighting Artur Beterbiev for the light heavyweight championship,” Fanlong said. “I have worked hard to earn the mandatory position, and I plan on being the first Chinese light heavyweight champion in history. This is just the beginning.”
For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing, Facebook.com/groupeyvonmichel; ; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/yvonmichelGYM.
Use the hashtag #BeterbievMeng to join the conversation on social media.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 MARCH 2026: Opetaia Outpoints Glanton to Win Inaugural Zuffa Belt; Ricardo Salas, Vlad Panin Register Wins
By Eric Armit, Tue, 10 Mar 2026Brijhana Epperson and Christian Paez Highlight Day Two of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
Tue, 10 Mar 2026Beltran, Prado rule Samal Half Marathon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Mar 2026Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 10 Mar 2026Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
Tue, 10 Mar 2026Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras
Tue, 10 Mar 2026153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Mar 2026Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
Mon, 09 Mar 2026Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 08 Mar 2026Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 08 Mar 2026Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy?
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 08 Mar 2026In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points.
Sun, 08 Mar 2026Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights
By Ralph Rimpell, Sat, 07 Mar 2026Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett
By Eric Armit, Sat, 07 Mar 2026Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 07 Mar 2026