A highly anticipated championship boxing match will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, featuring two of the best light heavyweight fighters in the world, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. This clash not only seeks to determine the top fighter in the light heavyweight division but also aims to crown the best 175-pounder of this generation.
Beterbiev, who boasts a perfect knockout record in his 20 fights, will put his WBC, WBO, and IBF titles on the line, while Bivol defends his WBA belt in this all-or-nothing title fight. Both fighters have been dominant forces in their division for the past seven years but have faced numerous challenges that delayed their matchup.
Both Beterbiev and Bivol are also recognized as pound-for-pound competitors, with Bivol ranked No. 4 and Beterbiev at No. 6 by ESPN. Betting odds highlight the competitiveness of the fight, with Bivol favored at -135 and Beterbiev at +110.
This fight, originally planned for June but postponed due to Beterbiev’s knee surgery, arrives just before he turns 40. The long wait for this matchup has been a source of frustration for fans eager to see the best face off against one another.
In boxing, not all undisputed championship matches include the best fighters in their respective categories, often due to the sport’s multiple titles and the politics surrounding promoters and sanctioning bodies. However, the Beterbiev-Bivol showdown, like the Crawford-Spence welterweight bout and Usyk-Fury heavyweight contest, is a notable event featuring the top talents of the division.
Bivol has expressed that this fight represents the culmination of his career efforts. He stated that winning this fight would validate his career-long dedication to boxing. Similarly, Beterbiev emphasized that being crowned the undisputed champion is a primary goal for any professional boxer.
Since Roy Jones Jr. was the last undisputed light heavyweight champion in 2000, the division has seen a lack of a clear champion. While some fighters are recognized as the best without formal titles, the Beterbiev-Bivol match is critical for establishing supremacy in the light heavyweight category.
Political hurdles and financial demands often complicate the execution of high-profile boxing matches. Promoters, networks, and mandatory title obligations frequently stall progress, making such opportunities rare. However, the fighters are expected to earn approximately $10 million each for this bout.
The importance of this match attracted the attention of key figures, including Turki Alalshikh of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, who played a pivotal role in facilitating the event between different promotional companies.
Both fighters are expected to cross promotional barriers in an unusual broadcast setup, with Beterbiev’s match streamed on ESPN+ and Bivol’s undercard on DAZN, showcasing the complexities involved in organizing a megafight.
Bivol’s opportunity to fight Beterbiev nearly slipped away in 2022 when he had a chance to face Canelo Alvarez but later continued to defend his title. As the fight draws nearer, both boxers have expressed their eagerness and anticipation, with Bivol declaring this fight one of the most desired matchups in boxing.
As fight day approaches, Bivol reflects on the significance of the match, aiming to not only win but to prove his dedication to the sport has been worthwhile. If successful, he hopes to end Beterbiev’s knockout streak and make history by becoming the undisputed champion in the light heavyweight division.