Artur Beterbiev will do whatever it takes to secure a win over Dmitry Bivol.
Both men square off on June 1 for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship. The pair held their kick-off presser, with the boxers ready for the task. Beterbiev defends his WBC, WBO and IBF belts. Bivol puts his WBA title on the line. The two boxers are undefeated but arrive into the fight with contrasting styles.
Beterbiev knocked out Callum Smith to take his record to 20-0. The stoppage continued his 100 percent KO rate. Bivol won a comfortable unanimous decision win against Lyndon Arthur. There are naturally question marks over whether Beterbiev will go for the stoppage. The narrative heading into the fight is that Beterbiev’s best chance of a win is to get a stoppage. Bivol is regarded as a boxer with a better IQ. But when he was asked about getting stoppage, Beterbiev wanted the win.
Beterbiev
“It’s important, yeah, but I’m not looking for that. We’ll see. I’m not old, 39 only. I’m not old. I believe I’ll prepare 100%, but I can’t say I’ll do something. Ask him [if he is scared of me], but he’ll never tell the truth. Of course, it’s always different. The fight is different. You’re preparing different. I’m not learning [studying] him for a long time. I’ve just watched a couple of his fights first time. We just started to learn him. We will prepare,” Beterbiev said
Bivol was grateful for being allowed to face the best. The WBA champion’s career stalled when he secured the biggest win of his career against Canelo Alvarez. Bivol outboxed Alvarez to win a unanimous decision. A rematch never took place as terms could not be agreed. Bivol wanted the rematch at 168 pounds.
This was to secure Canelo’s undisputed title at super middleweight. Canelo dismissed those claims, seeking to face Bivol on the same terms to rule out any excuses that he drained Bivol in the rematch. Bivol then made a defense against Zurdo Ramirez in November 2022. However, a hand injury kept him out until Arthur won last December. Now, Bivol is focused on winning his biggest fight.
Bivol Reacts
“It makes me more excited to fight against him because I love challenges. I love to be tested. This fight is a huge test for me. Every person is different. Not only me. I have good skills. I just believe in my skills. [And] I have been in boxing for 28 years. I’ve been in boxing ever since I can remember. I love this sport, and I think my experience will help me. And my mentality, skills, and camp. I believe I can be undisputed,” Bivol stated
One factor that could impact the fight is age. Beterbiev is 39 and has shown he can be hit. His win over Anthony Yarde showed a man who was hit more than usual. If Bivol can manage to do the same and avoid getting tagged, then it will be an intriguing bout for boxing fans.
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