Is Artur Beterbiev Muslim? All About the Boxing Star’s Religion and Faith

Artur Beterbiev is one of the most dominant champions that the world has ever seen. The three-belt light heavyweight champion is looking to create history on October 12 when he will face Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh. He has the chance to become the first-ever undisputed light heavyweight champion in the four-belt era and he is not going to let this chance pass.

Beterbiev is considered one of the heaviest punchers in the world and after recording 100% of his victory via knockouts, these claims are not far-fetched. Beterbiev has achieved this power through sheer hard work and dedication, but his religious beliefs have also played an important part in making him the person he is today. Let’s take a deep dive into Artur Beterbiev’s life.

Which religion does Artur Betervbiev follow?

Beterbiev was born on January 21, 1985, in Khasavyurt, a small town in the Dagestan region of Russia, with a predominantly Muslim population. ‘The Rabbit’ is of Chechen descent with a strong Islamic heritage. Islam is a very important part of the upbringing of a child in Chechen and Dagestani regions.

The 39-year-old boxer is a devout Muslim and practices his religion with complete dedication. According to his trainer, John Scully, practicing his faith has helped the unified champion in multiple ways. “Artur is a really devout Muslim and what comes with that is extreme discipline: no drugs, no alcohol, no hanging out. For a fighter who is very devout, it’s an ideal situation,” stated Scully while mentioning the importance of faith in Beterbiev’s career. His devotion to Islam has been a source of strength and discipline and has contributed massively to his success in the ring.

Even the boxer himself has stated the importance of faith in his life. For him, nothing is above his religion. It was evident when he refused to participate in a boxing event in China in 2020 because of concerns regarding the treatment of the Muslim population in the Xinjiang region.

Apart from his religion, his upbringing has also played a very important part in making him a ruthless destroyer in the ring. Let’s take a look at his early life and how it shaped him.

More about Artur Beterbiev’s early life and background

The Dagestan and the Chechen regions have a reputation for their strong traditions in combat sports. Beterbiev’s early interest in combat sports was greatly influenced by the environment, which was deeply rooted in martial arts. He started boxing at a very young age and the harsh conditions shaped up his boxing style and his approach towards the sport. He survived three wars alongside his family and saw countless deaths in front of him, but it was not enough to shake him up.

In 2001, tragedy struck Beterbiev’s family when his father, Gasan Beterbiev, a bus driver, got into an accident and lost his life. Artur was only 16 at the time and was the family’s youngest member. While his father was against boxing, his brothers kept his dreams alive. After almost a year of grief, the ‘Rabbit’ got into the Olympic boxing college in Moscow, giving his life a purpose again.

In 2013, after ruling the amateur circuit, Artur Beterbiev moved to Montreal, Canada, a place that he adores. His trainer Marc Ramsay and several investors who saw great potential in his boxing abilities supported the move. This move allowed him to adapt to new environments and, with world-class facilities at his disposal, he became the best version of himself.

At 39 years old, he is ready to script history in Riyadh and become the first undisputed light heavyweight champion since 1999. Will Artur Beterbiev walk out of the fight as the undisputed champion? How has his faith helped him and evolved him as a fighter? Let us know your thoughts down below.