Koelling Agrees to Fight Beterbiev to Become Ward's IBF Mandatory

[MMALOPEZ]

Representatives for Enrico Koelling have informed the IBF that he is willing to fight Artur Beterbiev for the right to become the mandatory challenger for IBF light heavyweight champion Andre Ward. The IBF was on the verge Thursday of installing Beterbiev as the No. 1 contender for Ward’s title, but Koelling met the New Jersey-based sanctioning organization’s deadline for finding a contender ranked in its top 10 at 175 pounds who was willing to battle Beterbiev for the top spot. Beterbiev (11-0, 11 KOs) is ranked No. 2 by the IBF, three spots ahead of the fifth-ranked Koelling (23-1, 6 KOs). The 32-year-old Russian knockout artist has been seeking an opponent since a fight against Cuban contender Sullivan Barrera (18-1, 13 KOs) fell apart earlier this month over a very public contractual battle between Barrera and Yvon Michel, Beterbiev’s promoter. The date and location for the Beterbiev-Koelling fight have yet to be determined. - See more at: http://www.boxingscene.com/koelling...ds-ibf-mandatory--114894#sthash.mq78yL3u.dpuf