On Friday, December 23, at Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, WBA-NABA light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (10-0, 10 KOs), the knockout artist from Montreal by way of Khasavyurt, Russia, will defend his title against Isidro Prieto (26-1-3, 22 KOs), from Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina, by way of Capiata, Paraguay.

At Thursday’s weigh-in, both fighters easily made the 175-pound light heavyweight limit. Beterbiev weighed 174.2 pounds. Prieto weighed 173.8 pounds.

Thirty-one-year-old Beterbiev turned pro on June 6, 2013. A little more than a year later he defeated former IBF World light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud to win the vacant WBA-NABA light heavyweight title. He successfully defended the title three times, also winning the WBO NABO, IBF North American, and vacant WBO International light heavyweight titles in the process.

Thirty-year-old Prieto had his first professional fight in 2009. His only loss was in August 2015 against Eleider Alvarez (17-0 at the time). He may be more seasoned than Beterbiev, but he has not fought the same level of competition and will be tested by the heavy-handed Russian. Prieto, however, is not intimidated. He intends to bring it.

“It will be a very hard fight, a real war,” he said. “I prepared myself well. I’m not afraid of Beterbiev. I’m going to hit him unremittingly.”

There has been talk of Beterbiev fighting either Andre Ward or Sergey Kovalev if they fail to reach terms for a rematch.

“I do not listen to what is said about a possible duel for a title,” said Beterbiev to tvasports.ca. “I am completely focused on the next fight. I never see beyond my next fight.”

This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.