In a dazzling display of prowess, Artur Beterbiev, the undefeated Unified WBC/IBF/WBO light heavyweight champion known for his 100 percent knockout ratio, triumphed over Callum Smith in Quebec City on a recent Saturday night. The aftermath of this victory now has the boxing world eagerly anticipating a monumental clash between Beterbiev and WBA champion Dmitry Bivol, a bout that could potentially unify the light heavyweight division.
Voicing his aspiration for the coveted match, Beterbiev declared, “Yes, of course, I want the Bivol fight. I need another belt. It would mean a lot to me,” underscoring the significance of adding further accolades to his impressive collection.
Behind the scenes, the pathway to this anticipated bout involves negotiations and agreements. Eddie Hearn, Bivol’s promoter, disclosed that Bivol has already committed to a fight in Saudi Arabia. However, the realization of this showdown hinges on Beterbiev’s consent to the terms laid out in the proposed deal.
Bob Arum, Beterbiev’s promoter, confirmed the ongoing efforts to make the Beterbiev-Bivol clash a reality. Despite the agreement not being finalized, Arum expressed unwavering enthusiasm, stating, “It’s not done yet, but absolutely we want to do it.” He revealed plans to discuss the matter with his associate, Turki Alalshikh, expressing confidence in the desire to bring this significant boxing event to fruition. However, he acknowledged the scheduling challenges posed by Ramadan, anticipating the bout to be ready about three months after the conclusion of this holy month, with Riyadh as the likely venue for the highly anticipated showdown.