One of the biggest fights of the year takes place on Saturday when WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev meets WBA champion Dmitry Bivol in a long-awaited clash to crown the undisputed champion. The fight takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
For years, Bivol and Beterbiev have dominated the 175-pound division, and a bout between the two sides seems inevitable, though the two sides never came together until they finally reached an agreement to meet on June 1. That fight ended late Saturday. After Beterbiev was injured in a training camp.
Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO) is the only current champion in boxing with a 100% stoppage rate. That power suggests Beterbiev is a pure fighter, and his mauling style supports that assumption. However, Beterbiev is a skilled technician, a successful amateur who won European and World Championships before turning professional.
In 2017, Beterbiev stopped Enrico Colling to win the IBF title, his first world championship as a professional. Interestingly, with just 27 seconds left in the 12th and final round, Peterbiev stopped Koling, the closest he came to reaching the judges’ scorecards.
Beterbiev stopped Oleksandr Gvozdyk in a highly anticipated 2019 unification bout to add the WBC title to his collection. Three fights later, Petterpiev knocked out Joe Smith Jr. in the second round to capture the WBO title. He has defended his three world titles against Anthony Yarde and Callum Smith.
“I don’t know about that but if there is [Alalshikh] I think we know the man that helped make this fight happen. He helped us in this fight. But we don’t know that it wouldn’t have happened [without him],” Beterbiev said. “Every good boxer wants to have an opportunity like this. I am really happy. I am working towards this goal every day.”
Like Beterbiev, Bivol (23-0, 12 KO) transitioned from a successful amateur career to the professional ranks. His road to becoming the WBA “Super” champion was a very turbulent one.
Pivol defeated Felix Valera in 2016 to win the WBA interim title. He would fight four times, defending the interim title twice, before being elevated to “regular” champion in late 2017, after a chain of events that saw Andre Ward retire as “super” champion and Badou Jack vacate the “regular” title.
Bivol would defend the “regular” version of the title five times before finally being elevated to true World Championship “Super” champion status in 2019.
Already recognized as one of the best boxers in the world, Bivol finally gained exposure to the big boxing world when he was selected by generational superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez as an opponent in Alvarez’s bid to move up to light heavyweight and make it to 175. – Pound champion for the second time in his career.
Against Alvarez, Pivol used a boxing masterclass, using effective defense and technique to pull off a major upset and hand Alvarez the second loss of his career.
“As a soldier aspires to be a general, [becoming undisputed champion] Same,” Bivol told TNT Sports During his “base-off” with Beterbiev this week. “This is the final step for all pro boxers. If we’re talking about trophies and belts, what else are you going to accomplish in this weight class? It’s all about this.”
With Bivol and Beterbiev confirmed as the best light heavyweights in the world, their odds of blocking a meeting have finally been broken, and the pair now face the upcoming clash between David Morrell and David Benavidez, establishing the immediate “next man” for the winner. .
Elsewhere on the card, IBF cruiserweight champion Jay Optaea is back as he puts on his belt against Jack Massey. 29-year-old Opetaia has been looking stunning in recent outings. He bested veteran and former cruiserweight titleholder Myris Preedis in May to claim the vacant IBF title. Obedaya has stopped 19 of the 25 opponents he has faced.
“I don’t think it’s going to be an easy fight. I’m ready for a tough 12 rounds, he’s very durable, he’s been in the ring with some great fighters,” Obedaya said. told iFL TV. “I’m going to adapt in the ring, figure it out and take advantage of it. We’re uncomfortable. We’re always chasing pain in the gym. It’s just another day at the office for us.”
Before we get to the main event predictions and expert picks, let’s take a closer look at the full fight card with the latest odds.
Bivol vs. Beterbiev fight card, odds
- Dmitry Bivol (c) -125 vs. Artur Beterbiev (c) +110, Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship
- Jay Obetaya (c) -2000 vs. Jack Massey +900, IBF Cruiserweight Title
- Fabio Wardley -140 vs Fraser Clarke +125, Heavyweights
- Chris Eubank Jr. -2500 vs. Kamil Seremeta +1000, Middleweights
- Skye Nicholson (c) -600 vs. Raven Chapman +400, WBC featherweight title
- Ben Whittaker -2000 vs Liam Cameron +900, Light Heavyweights
Bivol vs. Where to see Beterbiev
- Date: October 12
- Location: Kingdom Arena — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Start Time: 6 p.m. ET (main event
- Streaming: ESPN+ for main event, DAZN PPV for undercard fights ($19.99)
Prediction
Brian Campbell: In a true, 50/50 matchup between future Hall of Famers, this light heavyweight summit will determine whether Bivol can handle Betterpiev’s power in the second half, especially in the championship rounds when Betterbiev is around. His best. Bivol has never been beaten as a professional, much of that due to his speed, defense and ability to get out of trouble. But to win a fight against a boxer as skilled as the power-punching Petterpiev, Bivol will have to take more chances than ever before. Look for Bivol to make the most of the first six rounds as he settles into his rhythm as the youngest and hottest boxer. But even Bivol is bound to find out what Beterbiev’s 20 opponents already have: No one has lasted 12 full rounds against this absolute destroyer. Beterbiev via KO10
Brent Brookhouse: On the surface level, this fight appears to be a battle between Bivol’s technical prowess and Beterbiev’s brute force. This overlooks the fact that Bivol — though not as powerful as Beterbiev — has enough power to be respected, and that Beterbiev — though not an in-ring tactician like Bivol — is only able to use his power because he has unique technique.
Beterbiev, 39, whose body is starting to look a bit broken makes sense for Bivol’s slightly shadowy odds. He has suffered numerous injuries in recent years and has only fought three times since 2022. Petterpiev dominated those fights, mind you, but Bivol vs. In a match like Beterbiev you’re looking for a fight and the little things that can determine Beterbiev’s age can be “little things”.
Even so, Bivol’s chin will have to hold as Beterbiev lands, and it hurts when he lands. Ultimately, the fight comes down to whether or not Bivol can use his ring IQ to stay off the ropes and stay out of the corners where Petterpiev can best ply his trade. Given how well Bivol navigated the dangers of a fight with Alvarez, there’s reason to think he can do so against an even more dangerous opponent in Beterbiev. Pick: Dmitry Bivol via UD
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