Dmitry Bivol sees Artur Beterbiev as human and will be crushed like the opposite fighters he’s defeated throughout his profession.
Whether or not Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) needs to confess it or not, Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is completely different from the opposite fighters he’s fought prior to now. That is going to be a a lot completely different struggle from the very best guys Bivol has fought throughout his ten-year profession.
If he dismisses Beterbiev to be like all the remainder, he might be in bother on October twelfth once they meet for the undisputed gentle heavyweight championship on the Kingdom Area in Riyadh. WBA champion Bivol and IBF, WBC, and WBO champ Beterbiev will struggle all of the belts, with the winner being the King of the 175-lb division.
The Eddie Hearn-promoted Bivol is being given a heavy push to win this struggle, however he might not occur. If Bivol, 33, loses, he’ll nonetheless be younger sufficient to comeback from it and finally seize one other belt as soon as Beterbiev retires or strikes up in weight.
Provided that Bivol is a finesse fighter who has proven vulnerability in opposition to huge champions, it’s not a provided that he’ll be capable of take over the division as soon as Beterbiev retires or strikes on. There are a handful of punchers that would slide into the slot to take Beterbiev’s spot after he offers up his titles.
“As a result of I’ve been boxing since I remembered myself. I’ve to be the very best model of me, and I can do it,” mentioned Bivol to Professional Boxing Followers when requested why he believes he can defeat Artur Beterbiev. “I beat lots of people earlier than, and he’s additionally a human being. We’re all human beings. I can do it.”
Bivol appeared irritable when speaking about why he believes he’ll defeat Beterbiev, and there might be some insecurity on his half about it. If Bivol has doubts about his potential to win, that might clarify his irritability.
He appeared indignant speaking about it, however that received’t change something. Bivol might want to work out a manner to not get harm by Beterbiev, as he was in his struggle in opposition to Lyndon Arthur final December and in his matches in opposition to Craig Richards and Joe Smith Jr.
“We’ll see within the ring what I’m going to do, however I imagine I can [win]. It doesn’t matter what he talked about. Now, I’m busy,” mentioned Bivol when instructed that Canelo Alvarez mentioned he needs to struggle him subsequent if he defeats Beterbiev. “We had time earlier than greater than a 12 months to make a rematch, however now, I’m busy. If he actually needs, he wants to speak to Eddie Hearn.
“He’s an excellent fighter. He has a very good future within the gentle heavyweight division. Yeah, why not?” mentioned Bivol when requested about his curiosity in preventing David Benavidez.
There’s a very good probability that Bivol will meet up with Benavidez eventually if he holds onto the titles. Benavidez is the WBC interim and necessary. He’ll change into Bivol’s duty if he’s victorious in opposition to Beterbiev.
“Finest struggle in boxing. Beterbiev is a beast. Dmitry Bivol is a masterpiece. He received in opposition to Canelo Alvarez so convincingly,” mentioned Eddie Hearn to BoxNation. “It is a pure 50-50 struggle, one which I imagine Dmitry can win, nevertheless it’s going to be a really laborious night time’s work in opposition to an absolute monster.”
Hearn promotes Bivol, which might clarify why he believes he’ll win this struggle. Nevertheless, he might lose, and that might be dangerous for Hearn as a result of a second widespread Matchroom fighter has bitten the mud lately. Anthony Joshua misplaced final Saturday night time, and Hearn took the defeat fairly laborious.
“For me, the 2 greatest gentle heavyweights on this planet preventing for the undisputed championship. It doesn’t get any larger.”
Beterbiev and Bivol may not be the 2 greatest fighters within the 175-lb division. Neither man has fought Joshua Buatsi, David Benavidez, David Morrell, and Wily Hutchinson.
