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Dmitry Bivol says he watched unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev’s last fight against Callum Smith on January 13th, noting that he’s still powerful and fighting at a high level ahead of their undisputed 175-lb championship clash next month on October 12th in Riyadh.
Bivol’s Long-Awaited Moment
WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) says he has been focusing on becoming the undisputed champion in the weight class for a long time, and now the moment is finally here. Bivol, 33, will have to show that he can do it against IBF, WBC, and WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) or give up if he becomes his 21st knockout victim.
Many fans are siding with Bivol to win, believing he’s got the youth and skills to defeat the 39-year-old Beterbiev. Bivol has the technical ability to win, but it will be hard to avoid the firefights that Beterbiev will be forced on him for the 12 rounds.
While Bivol looked good against the tiny 5’8″ Canelo Alvarez and knocked out Malik Zinad, it will be a lot harder for him to do the same thing against Beterbiev.
“It’s two different people, two absolutely different fighters,” said Dmitry Bivol to the Queensberry Boxing channel when asked how Artur Beterbiev compared to Canelo Alvarez. “Artur is bigger and has a stronger punch and different technique.”
Adapting to Beterbiev’s Style
The way Bivol fought Canelo in their contest on May 7, 2022, wouldn’t work against Beterbiev because he frequently fought with his back against the rope during the bout. Bivol was shelling up and blocking the punches thrown by Canelo, who was throwing winging hooks that he could see coming. Beterbiev would be a lot harder to do that against because he’ll be throwing combinations and not hitting Bivol in between his shots.
“You went to the final stop in your career in this weight class,” said Bivol on what it would mean to him to be undisputed champion at 175. “He’s a great fighter, a good puncher, and has good technique,” said Bivol about Beterbiev.”
If Bivol wins, there’s a lot more for him to do in his career. There will be a rematch with Beterbiev and possibly a second fight with Canelo if he chooses to move up to 175 if offered enough money. There would also be fights against David Benavidez and David Morrell, both of which now campaign at 175.
Bivol would have a near-endless number of fights available to him if he’s victorious against Beterbiev. Of course, if Bivol loses to Beterbiev on October 12th, he’ll have to figure out where to go. Does he take the rematch and risk a second defeat or move on to some of the other interesting fights available at light heavyweight?
“Every fight that I have, I see it as the most difficult challenge for me,” said Bivol. “It was a good performance. He showed that he still has the power, pressure, and he’s confidence,” said Bivol when asked about Beterbiev’s last fight against Callum Smith on January 13th, which he won by a 7th-round technical knockout at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
Beterbiev looked outstanding, destroying Callum Smith in seven rounds, knocking out a fighter who had never been stopped in his career. Canelo had beaten Smith by a wide 12-round unanimous decision on December 19, 2020, but he had never hurt him in the fight. Beterbiev destroyed Smith and took some big shots while doing it.
“We will see in the ring how it will be,” said Bivol, describing how he views Beterbiev’s power. “It’s not personal. He has what I want [IBF, WBC, and WBO 175-lb titles] and what I need. I can say I believe in my skills. I will do everything to be undisputed, and I’m capable of doing it.
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