Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol square off next month to crown the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion since Roy Jones Jr.
The two undefeated fighters have cleaned out the division and reigned supreme for some time, struggling to get this fight made whilst taking on the top contenders.
The fight – finally signed due to the backing of Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season – presents an intriguing clash of styles. Beterbiev the relentless monster, the only world champion with a 100% knockout ratio in his campaign, against Bivol, the slick operator who wastes no movement in the ring and builds off a stellar jab to dictate pace.
One man who knows just what it’s like to try and piece together the puzzle of Bivol is Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who failed in the task back in 2022. Bivol bested the Mexican over the distance to retain his WBA World Title, becoming the second man afte Floyd Mayweather to beat him.
Speaking on the Pound For Pound podcast, Canelo made his prediction for fight night on October 12.
“I think if Bivol has the condition and good game-plan to go there, in and out, and do all these things, I think he wins. But, if not, if he goes a little bit in the corner or on the ropes, it’s gonna be hard for him because Beterbiev is a very hard fighter.”
Asked if he would consider a move back up to light-heavyweight, he said there’s only one way it happens.
“Yeah it’s possible one day. It’s the only fight I make one more time at 175 is the rematch with Bivol. It’s the only fight that will happen.”
The event also features Riyadh Season’s first female fight in Skye Nicolson-Raven Chapman as well as the return of Chris Eubank Jr.
