Beterbiev To Fight Koelling For Vacant IBF Light Heavy Crown

The shoes are starting to drop. Word comes that Andre Ward’s departure from active in-ring participation means that the IBF 175 pound crown he held will be up for grabs.

Here is notice from the IBF:

Springfield, NJ – The IBF has received official notification that IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Andre Ward has retired leaving that title vacant.  The Artur Beterbiev vs. Enrico Koelling bout originally scheduled to be an Eliminator for the #1 position has been given formal sanction approval and will be for the IBF Vacant Light Heavyweight Championship. The bout is scheduled for November 11, 2017 in Fresno, California.

The fight will screen on ESPN, on the Top Rank production. Beterbiev, age 32, is 11-0 (11 KOs) and figures to hold a severe power edge over the 23-1 German Koelling, who is 27 and hasn’t met a who’s who on his way to this station. Can Koelling attend to job one, which is staying aloft and conscious, against the brute-fisted Russian. I’d bet NO. Time tells.