Dmitry Bivol has a tough fight coming up with Artur Beterbiev and has now compared the challenge to a previous standout opponent in Saul Canelo Alvarez.
After delays due to injury on Beterbiev’s part, Bivol will finally face his fellow Russian for the undisputed light heavyweight championship on October 12.
The bout takes place in Saudi Arabia on a stacked card that also features the likes of Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke for Wardley’s British heavyweight title and Jai Opetaia defending his IBF cruiserweight belt against Jack Massey.
The headline fight sees the two best in the division face off and will pit Bivol’s famous skills, defences and footwork against the brutal power of Beterbiev, who is the only world champion with a 100% knockout ratio having stopped all 20 of his opponents thus far including the likes of Joe Smith Jr, Callum Smith, Callum Johnson and Anthony Yarde.
Bivol is also unbeaten and most high profile win to date came over multi-weight world champion and super-middleweight king Canelo back in 2022 when he outpointed him over 12 rounds.
Speaking to Matchroom Boxing, Bivol explained why he thinks this next contest is his hardest fight yet, and he put it down to his latest opponent’s combination of both power and skills.
“To be honest I believe that it’s the hardest test. Why? Because he’s stronger. I know he’s physically stronger than Canelo. He has good technique too. Many people talked about his power but they forget about his technique.”
