It was reported this past weekend that Simon Marcus had withdrawn for his bout with Artem Levin which was scheduled for June 9th in Bangkok, Thailand at Battle for the Belts. Joe Schilling had agreed to step in to replace Marcus against Levin and it seemed everything was set to go. Yesterday rumors started circulating that Levin has now also withdrawn from the bout and will no longer be facing Schilling.

Although the rumors have not been officially confirmed, if it is true it would be a big blow to the Battle for the Belts event. Simon Marcus and Joe Schilling fought on May 12th with the agreement that the winner would get a title shot at Artem Levin’s WBC Muay Thai Light Heavyweight World Title on June 9th. Marcus defeated Schilling via majority decision and it seemed that everything was set for June 9th. With Marcus having withdrawn and now the supposed withdraw of Levin there is no word if someone will be brought in to replace Levin against Schilling.

Although nothing can be confirmed yet, we will keep you posted with any information that becomes available.

The post Artem Levin rumored to be out of fight with Joe Schilling at Battle for the Belts on June 9th appeared first on muaythaiauthority.com.

WBC Muay Thai Light Heavyweight World Champion Artem Levin will defend his title for the first time since winning the title from Kaoklai Kaennorsing in February of 2011. His opponent will be French Fighter Cheick Sidibe at the Martial Arts Festival for Russia on February 28th in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Also expected on the card is a WBC European title fight between Russian fighter Khayal Dzhaniev and French fighter Ibrahim Chiahou.

After an impressive 17 fight win streak that started in January of 2010, Levin’s streak was snapped by Fu Gao Feng in June of 2011. The loss was controversial as it seemed Levin was on his way to yet another victory, but Feng was awarded the decision. Levin has since then strung together three consecutive victories including two under the Muaythai Premier League banner.

In October of 2011, American Joe Schilling defeated Kaoklai Kaennorsing for the interim WBC Muay Thai Light Heavyweight World Championship. Schilling is now waiting for his opportunity to fight Levin and unify the titles. Three days before Levin fights Sidibe, Schilling will be fighting Canada’s Simon Marcus at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 5” in Las Vegas, NV in a non title bout.

Sidibe brings a record of 49-6 into his fight with Levin. He will be looking to bounce back after a decision loss to Leonlido Evora at the Tatneft Cup 2012 in December of 2011. After a three year absence Sidibe returned to action in 2011 compiling a record of 4-2 as well as claiming a National FMDA title.

The post Artem Levin set to defend his WBC Muay Thai Light Heayweight World Title against Cheick Sidibe on February 28th in Russia appeared first on muaythaiauthority.com.