Had it not been for the tough childhood that he faced, Artur Beterbiev observed, perhaps his journey would have been different. The first undisputed light heavyweight champion of the four-belt era opened up during a conversation with Mail Sport’s Charlotte Daly. From his amateur days when he nearly defeated Oleksandr Usyk to his unbeaten professional track, the Russian-Canadian champion crossed one milestone after another.

But his early life was not the same. They were filled with hurdles. But thanks to the immense support he received from his family, Artur Beterbiev persevered and reached the height where he stands today. On Saturday night, February 22, at the Kingdom Arena, Beterbiev will face rival Dmitry Bivol once again. For the undisputed champion, who turned 40 last month, it’s a crucial meeting, one whose outcome would determine his next step as he walks toward the end of his glorious career.

Artur Beterbiev’s mother and father

Beterbiev and his family belong to Dagestan, an ethnic region in Russia. The years that followed his birth in 1985 saw the place suffer immense strife and conflict. As a result, the family went through some serious trials and tribulations. The two-time European champion’s father, Gasan Beterbiev was a bus driver. As the family’s sole breadwinner, he worked hard day and night.

Though the name of Beterbiev’s mother is not known, from the various social media that he has posted now and then, it’s apparent that she means a lot to him. Unlike his father, who was reportedly skeptical about his foray into boxing; Mrs. Beterbiev rather encouraged the youngest son.

What happened to Artur Beterbiev’s father?

But destiny took a hard turn when in 2001, Gasan Beterbiev passed away in a car accident. As a result, the responsibility of the family fell upon his mother who worked as a nurse, and his elder brothers. Artur Beterbiev was sixteen at the time.

To make his contributions, the future champion took up a job at a local gas station. Recalling those days he told Charlotte Daly, “Some people have it easier and some people have it harder. There’s no denying what I went through was tough. But if those things didn’t happen to me, I wouldn’t be here today. I wouldn’t be the fighter I am today.”

More about Beterbiev’s early life

The period saw Beterbiev drawn towards street fights. Something that happened to Dmitry Bivol as well. As time passed, the situation became a bit serious. He said, “Street fighting is a completely different experience. It’s a different life too. It was like fighting to the death.”

But thankfully, his elder brother whom he always looked up to barged in. To keep young Artur away from the dangerous streets, his brother took him to a boxing gym. There, in a more structured and disciplined atmosphere, the youngster gradually morphed into the deadly fighter the world knows today.

Along with his brothers, Artur Beterbiev always expresses his gratitude to his mother. “‘If it wasn’t for my mum, I’d quit boxing,” he said, adding further, “I was willing to give up what, of course, would put a cross on my career. My mum knew how important boxing was, that it could become my life, and convinced me to go.”

Today, Artur Beterbiev stands one fight short of momentous glory. If he manages to defeat Bivol again, his name will forever be inscribed in golden letters, and he will be one of the best modern-day fighters.

Do you think Artur Beterbiev should continue if he registers a win on Saturday?