Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to meet on Saturday for the unified light heavyweight title, but their bout is not expected to break any revenue records. Despite lacking major box-office draw, both fighters have demonstrated exceptional talent.
Beterbiev boasts a perfect 20-0 record, with all his wins coming by knockout. Bivol, on the other hand, has a record of 23-0, showcasing impressive footwork and technique, though he has only 12 knockouts. He notably defeated Canelo Alvarez in a remarkable upset in 2022.
Both fighters are highly ranked in the pound-for-pound lists, with positions ranging from No. 4 to No. 7 according to several sports outlets.
Former boxing champion Mike Tyson expressed his support for Beterbiev, stating, “I just think Beterbiev’s gonna do well. I’m a big fan of his.” The essential question surrounding the match is who will emerge victorious.
This fight was originally scheduled for June but was postponed due to Beterbiev undergoing knee surgery for a ruptured meniscus. At 39, Beterbiev may face stamina challenges compared to the 33-year-old Bivol, yet he brings significant knockout power to the ring.
“This is it,” noted Eddie Hearn, Bivol’s promoter. “This is the moment for both men.”
In other bouts, Chris Eubank Jr. faced Kamil Szeremeta in middleweight action, while Skye Nicolson defended her WBC featherweight title successfully against Raven Chapman, achieving a unanimous decision victory. Nicolson exhibited her skill and control throughout the match, with judges scoring it 99-91, 98-92, and 98-92 in her favor.
A technical draw was declared in the light heavyweight bout between Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron after both fighters fell over the ropes at the end of the fifth round, leading to an injury for Whittaker.
Mighty Mohammad Alakel made a successful debut against Jesus Gonzalez, winning all rounds in a unanimous decision. Additionally, Marco Maric scored a victory over Christian Flores, marking Maric’s first win as a professional.
The Beterbiev vs. Bivol fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with undercard events starting at 9 a.m. ET and the main event expected at 6 p.m. ET. Viewers can catch the action on ESPN+ for the main event and DAZN for the undercard, with the latter costing $19.99 in addition to a subscription.