In the event that Turki Alalshikh finalizes a deal with Artur Beterbiev’s promoter, Dmitry Bivol anticipates facing the most formidable challenge of his career later this year.
The undefeated Bivol, renowned in the light heavyweight division, holds the view that Beterbiev, with his unbeaten record and formidable skill set, surpasses even Bivol’s most distinguished opponent to date, Canelo Alvarez.
Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev ‘face each other’ at the gala dinner for the Fury-Ngannou fight
Reflecting on his victory over Alvarez in May 2022, where Bivol decisively defended his WBA 175-pound championship, the Russian Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) acknowledges that the impending bout with Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) will be a tougher test.
During a conversation on Matchroom Boxing’s podcast, Bivol was clear.
“Yeah, to be honest, I believe that it’s the hardest test. Why? Because he’s stronger. I know he’s physically stronger than Canelo and he has good technique, too,” Bivol told Matchroom Boxing.
“Many people talk about his power, but they forget about his technique, because his power is much better than his technique. But he still has good technique.”
What is Beterbiev’s recent form like?
Beterbiev showcased his power and technique in a recent bout where he dismantled former WBA super middleweight champion Callum Smith. The victory marked Beterbiev as the first to drop and stop Smith, a significant accomplishment considering Smith’s previous loss only to Alvarez.
Bob Arum, whose company, Top Rank Inc., promotes Beterbiev, expressed the intention to finalize the deal with Alalshikh for the IBF/WBC/WBO champion to face Bivol. The anticipated showdown is expected to take place this summer at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Alalshikh’s financial backing, a consistent force behind major boxing events.
Given Beterbiev’s age of 39, a fight timeline is expected post-Ramadan, allowing him to undergo a full training camp after the Muslim month of fasting. Eddie Hearn, from Matchroom, revealed that Bivol has already agreed to terms with Alalshikh for the anticipated bout.
Acknowledging the challenge ahead, Bivol emphasized Beterbiev’s strength, likening him to stone, praising his hard punches and sturdy physique.
Additionally, Bivol highlighted Beterbiev’s unwavering self-belief, extensive experience from his amateur days, and his effective use of body shots, particularly with the right hand, as crucial factors in their anticipated clash to determine the first fully unified light heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
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