Is Artur Beterbiev Muslim? Exploring the boxing superstar's religion, ethnic background, and more
Artur Beterbiev is one-half of what many have deemed as one of the most important professional boxing matches of the 2024 calendar year. The Russian-Canadian is scheduled to face Russia's Dmitry Bivol in a highly-anticipated fight, which will crown the first undisputed light heavyweight (175-pound) champion of the modern-day four-belt era.
Beterbiev possesses the WBC, WBO, and IBF light heavyweight belts. Meanwhile, Bivol holds the WBA (Super) light heavyweight belt. Their undisputed title fight is booked to headline a boxing card at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 12, 2024.
Is Artur Beterbiev Muslim?
Artur Beterbiev is quite vocal about his ethnicity as a Chechnyan. He was born in Khasavyurt, Dagestan. It was a part of the Soviet Union and is now in Russia. Nevertheless, his family traces back to Dagestan's neighbor, Chechnya, which is also a region in Russia. He moved to Canada in 2013, where he's currently based.
Growing up in Dagestan, which is an Islamic-majority region, Beterbiev happens to be a practicing Muslim. He's often attributed his personal and professional success to his Islamic faith.
Beterbiev has long trained under the guidance of Marc Ramsay, with John Scully serving as the assistant coach to the pugilist. Speaking to Boxing King Media in 2023, Scully praised his longtime student, noting that Beterbiev's religious beliefs fuel his discipline and work ethic. Scully stated:
"I'm struck by him how he's a very good person and a really decent person. He doesn't drink. He doesn't go out to clubs. He's just a family-oriented guy. I started with him in March of 2016. I almost didn't go because somebody told me. They said, 'I don't know, him being a Muslim, from over there, he may not respect you like, as an American or non-Muslim or something.' But I went, and right away, we started the pads, the first round, and we clicked almost instantly."
Check out John Scully's comments below (1:25 and 2:58):
Similarly, speaking to Boxing Junkie a few years ago, Scully explained that Artur Beterbiev being a devout Muslim comes with extreme discipline.
Scully underlined that Beterbiev eats the right things, sleeps at the right time, and doesn't abuse his body. For context, Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs, deeming them 'Haram' (religiously forbidden).
Moreover, in an interview with the Montreal Gazette in 2021, head coach Marc Ramsay noted that he'd coached pugilists who philandered, drank, and gambled. Ramsay lauded Beterbiev for refraining from such activities. Apparently, the devout Muslim sometimes requests the coach to accompany him to his prayers too.
Furthermore, in a recent interview with DAZN, Artur Beterbiev credited Islam for his routine, discipline, and world championship glory.
Beterbiev consistently posts celebratory messages on his social media concerning Islamic festivals such as Eid and Ramadan.