Undisputed world championship fight between Beterbiev and Bivol

By Daniel Mukenya

Artur Beterbriev and Dmitry Bivol will face each other on October 12th after the fight was previously postponed due to a knee injury to Beterbriev.

WBC, IBF and WBO champion Beterbriev will face WBA titleholder Bivol in an all-or-nothing showdown.

Fans will finally be able to witness the fight that will determine the first undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world since Roy Jones Jr. accomplished the feat two decades ago.

Bivol turned pro in 2014, won the interim WBA light heavyweight title in 2016 and was promoted to full-time champion. He became a worldwide sensation when he defeated Canelo Alvarez in a one-sided fight in 2022. Bivol then won three fights in a row, earning his first knockout victory since 2018 against Malik Zinad.

Beterbriev, a four-time amateur gold medalist, turned professional in 2013. The Russian with Canadian citizenship won the IBF light heavyweight title in 2017, the WBC belt in 2019 and the WBO title in 2022. His last fight was in January, when he defeated Callum Smith in a devastating manner.

After his recent knee surgery, it is questionable whether Beterbiev can withstand the strain of facing such a strong opponent as Bivol. Beterbiev suffered a torn meniscus in training, which meant that the match had to be brought forward. This could give Bivol an advantage over his opponent.

Bivol will face the most powerful puncher of his career in this undisputed light heavyweight championship fight against unified champion Beterbiev. Beterbiev may have too much power for Bivol, who likes to throw combinations and regularly leaves himself vulnerable.

Bivol, known for his movement and boxing skills that have helped him defeat the likes of Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez, has never faced anyone like Beterbiev. His attacking style will be put to the test against Beterbiev.

Canelo was too small to face Bivol at light heavyweight in 2022 as he is naturally a middleweight. Zurdo Ramirez was slow and limited in his fight against Bivol in November 2022. In this fight against Beterbriev, he will have a chance to prove that he is as good as some fans think.