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Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) will soon fight for a chance to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion against Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs).
The two men headline a Riyadh Season card at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Boxing fans can catch the action as a pay-per-view on DAZN. However, Beterbiev-Bivol will not be part of the pay-per-view for those in the United States and Canada. Those in the United States can watch that fight on exclusively on ESPN+. A Canadian broadcaster for Beterbiev-Bivol has yet to be named. Fight fans in the UK, can watch on DAZN PPV, TNT Sports Box Office, or Sky Sports Box Office.
Beterbiev-Bivol is part of Riyadh Season, a Saudi Arabian state-funded entertainment and sports festival. The Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority is responsible for its organization.
Ahead of his October 12 clash, Big Fight Weekend takes a look at the last three opponents of Beterbiev.
The Last Three Opponents of Artur Beterbiev
Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith
A clash that took place at the Centre Vidéotron in Québec City, Canada. In the opening round, Beterbiev was having success and by the third, blood was pouring from the nose of Callum Smith (now 29-2, 21 KOs). The Russian-born Canadian’s pressure was proving to be too much and it was only a matter of time before the fight came to an end. In round seven, Smith went to the canvas after being hit with a barrage of punches. He got up, but another barrage from Beterbiev sent the Liverpudlian down once more. Following the second knockdown, Smith’s corner put an end to the fight, giving Beterbiev the seventh-round TKO win.
Anthony Yarde
Beterbiev’s only professional bout in the United Kingdom ended like all his other fights: by stoppage. He took on Anthony Yarde (now 25-3, 24 KOs) at the Wembley Arena in London, England. Though both men pack a lot of power, it was clear that Beterbiev’s punches were the more impactful. As the fight progressed, Yarde appeared to grow more and more tired. A couple of right hands from Beterbiev sent the Englishman down in round eight. Yarde got up, but his corner soon ended proceedings to give Beterbiev the eighth-round TKO victory.
Joe Smith Jr.
For this clash, Beterbiev put his IBF and WBC titles at stake. On the other hand, Joe Smith Jr. (now 28-5, 22 KOs) had his WBO belt on the line. The fight ended up being a rather short one. Towards the end of the first round, Smith went down from an overhand right. He got up, allowing for the fight to go into the round two. A right hook from Beterbiev had Smith fall onto the ropes with over two minutes to go in the second. A barrage of punches then had the American falling onto the ropes soon after. Though Smith got up, it was not long before the fight ended. His reaction to getting hit from a combination eventually caused referee Harvey Dock to end proceedings, giving Beterbiev a TKO victory in the second round.
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