Former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman predicts that Dmitry Bivol “will lose” when he faces Artur Beterbiev for the light heavyweight undisputed championship this summer in Saudi Arabia.
Rahman has seen what IBF, WBC & WBO 175-lb champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) can do in the ring, watching him dismantle Callum Smith last Saturday night in seven rounds and seeing his other fights.
Rahman’s Doomsday Prophecy
Hasim feels that WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) won’t be able to handle Beterbiev’s firepower, pressure, or boxing skills when they meet up.
Beterbiev and Bivol will reportedly fight in Saudi Arabia in June or July. According to Matchroom, Bivol has already signed his contract for the fight, and Beterbiev needs to make his deal.
Rahman says the undisputed fight should have already happened between the two champions a long time ago, which is how Beterbiev feels, but it hasn’t happened. Some believe Bivol is behind the fight not happening, trying to drag it out for as long as possible to age Beterbiev, who will turn 39 on January 21st.
Beterbiev’s Skills Underrated
“It was a lovely performance. He did what he had to do; he kept his knockout steak alive. I don’t even want to single out Bivol. I’m telling you that anybody that gets in the ring with that man, Beterbiev, they’re going to sleep. If they don’t go to sleep, they’re going to get a mercy stoppage or their corner stops it or something,” said former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman to Fighthype when asked about a fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
“They’re going to get hit harder than they’ve ever been hit. They’re going to be hurt worse than they’ve ever been hurt, and they’re going to lose the fight. They find excuses not to get in with Beterbiev. The unification should have been happened, but if it happens, Bivol will lose.
“Artur Beterbiev has excellent boxing skills, a tremendous amateur background, and went to two Olympics. He has excellent skills, but no one has brought it out yet because his power is do devastating that it rules everything,” said Hasim.
