Undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev has commented on the punching power of fierce rival Dmitry Bivol.
The 40-year-old from Russia became the first man to defeat countryman Bivol last October when they clashed for the undisputed light heavyweight championship at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, becoming the first light heavyweight to achieve this feat within the ‘four belt era’.
After 12 extremely technical and cagey rounds, Beterbiev was declared the winner via majority decision with two out of the three judges scoring it 116-112 and 115-113 in his favour. It was the first time in 21 fights that he had been taken the distance.
With the highly anticipated rematch just day away, the 40-year-old Russian powerhouse was asked by DAZN if Bivol was the hardest puncher he has come up against.
“No.”
Beterbiev – who has been in with big hitters like Joe Smith Jr, Anthony Yarde and Callum Smith – was then asked if he believes he can secure a knockout victory in the rematch on February 22.
“We’ll see. I can’t say like yes or no.”
The second meeting between Beterbiev and Bivol sits at the top of arguably the greatest fight card in the history of boxing, featuring an explosive showdown between IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, as well as a super welterweight battle between WBC ‘Interim’ champion Vergil Ortiz Jr and former WBA champion Israil Madrimov.
