Shakur Stevenson appears to have changed his prediction for the upcoming rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
The reigning WBC lightweight champion features on the undercard of one of the biggest rematches in recent times on February 22, as Beterbiev makes the first defence of his undisputed light heavyweight championship which he won last October.
After a cagey 12-round affair which could have gone either way, Beterbiev did just enough to be declared the winner via majority decision, handing Bivol the first defeat of his professional career and becoming the first man to hold all four of the light heavyweight titles simultaneously.
Speaking on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel, Stevenson admitted that although he had initially predicted another victory for Beterbiev, he has now changed his mind and believes Bivol has what it takes to avenge his maiden career defeat.
“I been saying kinda Beterbiev all week, then I switched up to Bivol once I seen Bivol. The way Bivol seems so focused it’s hard to go against him so I’m gonna rock with Bivol.”
Many have argued that Bivol should have had his hand raised in his first meeting with Beterbiev, although it wasn’t to be for the 34-year-old former WBA light heavyweight champion, who will have his sights set on revenge and dethroning his light heavyweight rival.
There is a star-studded undercard to enjoy before the main attraction at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Joseph Parker faces Martin Bakole, who replaced Daniel Dubois on short notice after the IBF champion was deemed too ill to compete.
The card also includes a WBC middleweight title showdown between Carlos Adames and Hamzah Sheeraz, and the return of Vergil Ortiz Jr who puts his WBC ‘Interim’ super welterweight title on the line against Israil Madrimov.
