Artur Beterbiev: Kadyrov looms over Chechen-born star’s unification bout

Artur Beterbiev's march toward light heavyweight title unification continues on Saturday in New York, but his ties to a Chechen dictator facing US sanctions should not be ignored

On Saturday night, IBF and WBC champion Artur Beterbiev will attempt to further unify the light heavyweight championship when he faces WBO titleholder Joe Smith Jr at Madison Square Garden.

However, when Beterbiev sets foot inside the squared circle in New York City, he will do so with the shadow of a murderous tyrant looming over him.