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Dmitry Bivol is defending his WBA light heavyweight title against Lyndon Arthur on December 23rd in what could be the last fight for the unbeaten champion until he faces Artur Beterbiev in the undisputed 175-lb championship, in Saudi Arabia.
Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) says he doesn’t want to look past Arthur because that would be a mistake. Saudi businessman Turki Alalshikh is reportedly interested in staging the Bivol vs. Beterbiev fight in his country.
Dmitry admits that he doesn’t know much about the 32-year-old Lyndon Arthur, so this will be a fight that he’ll need to figure out on the go.
Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs), who famously dealt Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez only his second career defeat in May 2022 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, could be staring down the barrel of another monumental clash in 2024. This time, it’s a potential undisputed showdown with the IBF, WBC, and WBO World Champion, Artur Beterbiev.
Beterbiev is squaring off with Bivol’s Matchroom buddy and former WBA Super-Middleweight World Champion, Callum Smith, on January 13 in Canada. However, Bivol, a fighter under the World of Boxing banner, insists he’s laser-focused on Arthur this weekend.
Bivol shared with Matchroom Boxing, “Every time I step into the ring, I treat it as the toughest fight of my life. It keeps me sharp and serious about training camp. Preparation’s been spot on. I’ve been honing my skills in Kyrgyzstan, wrapping up with my last sparring session on Monday before Saturday’s showdown. Everything’s on track.”
He added, “Lyndon Arthur’s a skilled boxer. He’s got a mean jab and slick moves. This fight is a real test for me. His record and IBO belt just add to my fire. My aim? To be the best I can be every time I step in the ring. And post-fight, I’ll finally get to properly celebrate my birthday – my actual birthday was just two training sessions!”
The boxing world went nuts when Bivol and Beterbiev crossed paths at a swanky event in Saudi Arabia before the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou bout in October. Bivol, the long-standing WBA Champ, is confident they’ll clash in 2024, provided they both triumph in their upcoming bouts.
He stated, “We’re not just talking Arthur here. We’ve got our sights on a four-belt fight, a shot at undisputed. They’re keen to make it happen, and so am I. It’s exactly what I need.”
Gareth A. Davies: “We have Dmitry Bivol, who I think is not high up enough in the pound-for-pound,” said Gareth to talkSport Boxing during the kick-off press conference for the December 23rd card in Saudi Arabia.
Spencer Oliver: “Dmitry, a massive night here on December 23rd in Saudi Arabia. How pleased are you to be involved in this?”
Dmitry Bivol: “I’m so thankful to be a part of this big event. It’s great. I want to say thank you to Saudi Arabia and to Turki Alalshikh for what he’s making for not only me but for boxing fans. I think both of these guys deserve their own show, and we will see.”
Gareth: “There’s about eight of you who deserve their own show. You were out there in the Riyadh Season. Is it unbelievable to see this come to life two weeks later, or did you know this was going to happen?”
Bivol: “I knew we would talk about this fight, and like I thought maybe in the Fury-Usyk, I would fight, but I didn’t want to talk about it because it was far.”
Dmitry Bivol:
Why is Lyndon Arthur the right fight for you right now?
“My life’s basically a countdown to D-Day, December 24th. Everyone’s yapping about the undisputed fight, but hey, my eyes are on the prize – Lyndon Arthur. I’m not taking the dude lightly; he’s my target. He’s itching to topple me, but I’ve got my game face on. He’s got a mean jab and some slick moves. He’s not just any Joe; he’s the man of the hour for me.”
Do you think we can see a knockout on Saturday night?
“Could happen, but I’m not obsessing over a knockout. That’s like a distraction from the master plan. But if the stars align and the moment’s ripe, I’ll pounce. I’m more about savoring the battle, not just hunting for that one-hit wonder. It’s all about sticking to the game plan for me.”
Lyndon Arthur:
You’re really taking this all in this week, aren’t you?
“Absolutely! I’m soaking it all up and itching for Saturday. Boxing’s turned my life upside down – in a good way. And here I am, living the dream.”
Are you ready for this task?
“Of course, I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
What is it you can do to upset Dmitry Bivol on Saturday night?
“Just wait and see come Saturday.”
Do you feel like the best is still yet to come from you, Lyndon?
“Definitely. I reckon no one’s seen the real McCoy yet. If there’s a fight to bring out my A-game, it’s this one.”
Gareth: “You were there with Beterbiev, and you faced off with him. Obviously, you faced Lyndon Arthur, who has been a world champion himself. He’s a very strong contender. You have to take him very seriously.
“If Beterbiev beats [Callum] Smith in January and you win in December, do you expect them to bring Beterbiev and yourself together in Saudi Arabia next year?”
Bivol: “Of course, I’m ready to fight for all of the belts, but I don’t want to talk about it now because I don’t want to look behind his back.”
Oliver: “How highly do you rate Lyndon Arthur? What do you know about him, and how highly do you rate him?”
Bivol: “I don’t know about him too much, but I know he’s champion of the world, IBO, and he’s disciplined. He’s got good boxing skills, and he’s tall. Of course, I will take him serious.”
Gareth: “He’s the most dangerous man in the world for you, isn’t he?”
Bivol: “Yes, he is. Every time I’m going to fight, I look at my opponent like he’s the most dangerous fighter in the world.”
Gareth: “What if they suggested to bring Canelo to Saudi next year to fight you because, obviously, that’s a fight? He wants a rematch with you at some point.”
Bivol: “He wants or doesn’t want, it doesn’t matter.”
Gareth: “Is he running scared from you?”
Bivol: “I beat him. Just close the subject, and I’m looking forward to my weight class, and he has his own. That’s it.”
Gareth: “Would you beat him up, though, for money again? Come on.”
Bivol: “We could talk ‘What if,’ but I don’t want to talk about what if.”
Oliver: “There was talk about you going down to super middleweight to fight him. Could you possibly make super middleweight, or is light heavyweight just right for you.”
Gareth: “You look super middleweight right now.”
Bivol: “I’m not a big guy, of course.”
Oliver: “Is super middleweight possible?”
Bivol: “Of course. I told them before and it’s possible, but I have plan now. I will move in my weight division.”
Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur Fight Start Time
Event Date and Start Time:
- Date: Saturday, December 23
- Start Time: The event is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. UK / 11 a.m. ET, with the ringwalks for the Bivol vs. Arthur fight anticipated around 8:25 p.m. UK / 3:25 p.m. ET. Please be aware that these times may be subject to adjustments.
Streaming on DAZN:
- The fight card, including Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur, will be available live on DAZN PPV in various regions. For further details and subscription options, visit the DAZN website.
- Viewers in Argentina, Chile, and Colombia are required to download and sign up for DAZN through the app available on the Apple App Store or Android Google Play store.
Venue:
- The Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ticket Information:
- Specific ticket details for the event will be announced in due course.
Fighter Records and Bios:
- Dmitry Bivol: Born on December 18, 1990, Bivol stands at 6′ 0″ with a 72″ reach and an undefeated record of 21-0, including 11 KOs.
- Lyndon Arthur: A British national born on June 13, 1991, Arthur has a height of 6′ 2″, with his reach not available, and a record of 23-1, boasting 16 KOs.
Highlighted Fights on the Card:
Full Card:
🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin
🥊 Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
🥊 Daniel Dubois vs Jarrell Miller
🥊 Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur
🥊 Jai Opetaia vs Ellis Zorro
🥊 Frank Sanchez vs Junior Fa
🥊 Filip Hrgovic vs Mark De Mori
🥊 Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Agit Kabayel
