This Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, boxing fans are eagerly anticipating a monumental showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, a match that promises to determine not only the best light heavyweight in the world but also one of the top fighters of their generation.
Beterbiev, the only champion in boxing with a 100% knockout ratio, will defend his WBC, WBO, and IBF titles against Bivol, who will put his WBA belt on the line in this high-stakes contest. For several years, both Russian fighters have been at the forefront of the light heavyweight division, but various obstacles had previously prevented this clash from happening.
Since 2017, the landscape at 175 pounds has been dominated by Beterbiev and Bivol, who are also recognized as top pound-for-pound boxers. Current ESPN rankings position Bivol at No. 4 and Beterbiev at No. 6. The odds for the match reflect its competitive nature, with Bivol favored at -135 while Beterbiev is at +110.
The fight is set to take place just three months shy of Beterbiev’s 40th birthday, having been postponed from June due to his knee surgery. The long wait for this matchup has frustrated fans eager to see top fighters compete.
While some undisputed championship bouts do not feature the best fighters in their divisions, Beterbiev versus Bivol is not one of those cases. This anticipated fight shares the same significance as other recent undisputed bouts like Terence Crawford versus Errol Spence Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk versus Tyson Fury, which involved extensive negotiations between rival promoters.
Bivol expressed the importance of this fight for his career trajectory, stating, “For me, it means all my career I was doing right, that I got this fight. And if I win this fight, I was doing everything right.” Beterbiev echoed his sentiments, emphasizing that becoming an undisputed champion is a primary objective for any professional fighter.
The last undisputed light heavyweight champion was Roy Jones Jr. in the three-belt era, and since Jones vacated a title in 2000, no champion has emerged to dominate this storied division. Such titles often lead to questions about true supremacy, as seen with past champions who were regarded as the best without needing to unify all belts first.
Both fighters are expected to earn substantial payouts, approximately $10 million each, thanks in part to the involvement of Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, who has helped negotiate the terms that allowed the fight to happen. This notable collaboration also highlights the complexities involved in securing unification bouts complicated by rival promotions and financial demands.
With a unique broadcasting arrangement—Beterbiev’s fight streamed on ESPN+ while the undercard is on DAZN—this event signifies a rare union of various boxing entities to make this significant matchup a reality.
As anticipation builds for the fight, which nearly materialized in 2022, both fighters are aware of the stakes. Bivol’s recent victories and Beterbiev’s continuous string of KOs have led to heightened expectations. As fans prepare for what is being touted as one of boxing’s most eagerly awaited fights, the victor will step into the spotlight as the definitive light heavyweight champion, securing a legacy that spans beyond the ring.