Dmitry Bivol sees Artur Beterbiev as a human being and can be beaten like other fighters who were defeated during his career.
Whether Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) wants to admit it or not, Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is different from other fighters he’s fought in the past. This will be a very different fight to the best guys Bivol has faced during his ten years of career.
If he dismisses Beterbiev to match everyone else, he could be in trouble on October 12 when the undisputed light heavyweight champions meet at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. WBA champion Bivol and IBF, WBC, and WBO champion Beterbiev will fight for all belts, and the winner will be the King of the 175-lb division.
Bivol-promoted Eddie Hearn is being heavily pushed to win this fight, but it may not happen. If Bivol, 33, loses, he will be young enough to bounce back and eventually capture another belt if Beterbiev retires or moves up in weight.
Since Bivol is a finesse player who has shown vulnerability against major champions, it is not considered that he will be able to take this stage if Beterbiev retires or moves on. There are several boxers who could step into the void to replace Beterbiev after he retires.
“It’s because I’ve been playing boxing since I can remember. I have to be a better version of myself, and I can do it,” said Bivol speaking to Pro Boxing fans when asked why he believes he can defeat Artur Beterbiev. “I have beaten many people, he is also human. We are all human. I can do it.”
Bivol looked annoyed when he talked about why he believes he will beat Beterbiev, and there may be some insecurity about it. If Bivol had doubts about his ability to win, that would explain his upset.
He looked angry talking about it, but that wouldn’t change anything. Bivol will need to find a way to not hurt Beterbiev, as he did in his fight with Lyndon Arthur last December and in his matches with Craig Richards and Joe Smith Jr.
“We will see in the ring what I will do, but I believe that I can do it [win]. It doesn’t matter what you talked about. Now, I’m busy,” said Bivol when he was told that Canelo Alvarez said he wants to fight him next if he beats Beterbiev. “We had more than a year before we did a repeat, but now I’m busy. If he really wants to, he needs to talk to Eddie Hearn.
“He’s a great fighter. He has a bright future in the light heavyweight division. Yes, why not?” Bivol said when asked about his interest in fighting David Benavidez.
There is a good chance that Bivol will meet Benavidez soon if he holds the titles. Benavidez is the WBC interim and mandatory. He will be Bivol’s liability if he defeats Beterbiev.
“The best fight in boxing. Beterbiev is an excellent host. Dmitry Bivol is an excellent host. He won in a convincing way against Canelo Alvarez,” said Eddie Hearn on BoxNation. “This is a 50-50 fight, which I believe Dmitry can win, but it’s going to be a tough night’s work against an absolute beast.”
Hearn is promoting Bivol, which could explain why he believes he will win this fight. However, he could lose, and that would be bad for Hearn because the second most popular Matchroom fighter has bit the dust recently. Anthony Joshua lost last Saturday night, and Hearn took the loss hard.
“For me, two of the best light heavyweights in the world are fighting for an undisputed championship. It’s not growing anymore.”
Beterbiev and Bivol may not be the two best fights in the 175-lb division. No guy has fought Joshua Buatsi, David Benavidez, David Morrell, and Willy Hutchinson.
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