This all-time great matchup between WBC, WBO, and IBF world light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (20-0-0, 20KO) and IBO world light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (23-0-0, 12KO) will have fans on the edge of their seat as the first undisputed light heavyweight champion of the four-belt era will be crowned come Saturday.
Click here to watch Beterbiev and Bivol face-off after the press conference. Footage via ‘Fight Hub TV’ on YouTube.
Previewing Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol
The pinnacle of boxing will be fully displayed this Saturday as two of boxing’s pound-for-pound best clashes over the undisputed light heavyweight championship inside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This undisputed light heavyweight championship matchup, a fight of immense significance, is a viable contender for ‘Fight of the Year’ as two of boxing’s most skilled put their unblemished professional records on the line in what is the biggest fight of their careers.
Both boxers have conquered impressive opponents throughout their undefeated professional careers.
Beterbiev has defeated many talented opponents, including Callum Smith, Anthony Yarde, Joe Smith Jr., and Marcus Browne.
As for Bivol, he has stacked an impressive resume consisting of names like Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, Joe Smith Jr., and Lyndon Arthur.
These two have stood at the top of the division without a genuine threat to their greatness until this fight. The greatest light heavyweight of this era of boxing will finally be named.
Predicting Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol
In this spectacular light heavyweight showdown, both men fight out of the orthodox stance; however, their strengths and styles contrast entirely.
Beterbiev, 39, is the only boxing champion with a 100% finish rate inside the ring. He looks to smother his opponents with constant calculated pressure combined with devastating power punching.
Beterbiev’s opponents in the ring have struggled to successfully command the respect of the terminating power puncher. However, we may see differently in this star-studded matchup as Bivol combines punching and footwork to stifle Beterbiev.
Bivol, 33, is a master technician inside the squared circle. He effortlessly dictates the punching range and ring control. He will look to keep the circle away from Beterbiev’s rear hand while methodically choosing when to string together scoring punches.
If Bivol is to establish the range early on while having earned the respect of a pressuring Beterbiev, I expect Bivol to increase his work rate and punch output as the fight moves into the later rounds.
Ultimately, I find it hard to see Beterbiev outscoring Bivol, so his best approach will be to drown Bivol early on and find the finish sequence.
Full Prediction: Bivol via Unanimous Decision
Last Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion
Pound-for-pound all-time great and boxing hall of famer Roy Jones Jr. (66-10-0, 47KO) was the last to become undisputed light heavyweight world champion after defeating Reggie Johnson (44-7-1, 25KO) via unanimous decision to win the IBF and WBC light heavyweight titles back in 1999.
Due Saturday night, this moment has been brewing for twenty-five years since Roy Jones Jr. defeated Reggie Johnson in 1999. Jones Jr. dominated the judges’ scorecards as he tallied a shutout of 120-106 on all three judges’ cards.
Stay tuned for more boxing news & updates via RespectMyRegion
