Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev was announced today for their undisputed lightweight heavyweight championship fight on June 1st, live on ESPN+ in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
All four 175-lb belts will be on the line for the Bivol-Beterbiev fight in Riyadh, and the winner will be the division’s undisputed champion.
IBF/WBC/WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) looked menacing today, giving his thoughts on his fight against WBA champ Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs), saying he sees this match-up as just an opportunity to collect another belt.
Beterbiev Promises Fireworks
Beterbiev also said that Bivol “knows” what’s in store for him on June 1st, which is a message that indicates that he’s going to knock him out and make him his 21st KO victim.
Bivol isn’t much of a puncher, and he’s expected to try and box his way to a decision win. It might not be easy against Beterbiev, who will find his chin at some point in the fight and could send him down to his first defeat.
Hearn Backs Bivol, Beterbiev Remains Cryptic
“I believe on June 1st, Bivol is going to beat this man,” said Eddie Hearn during today’s press conference to announce the Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev light heavyweight undisputed championship on June 1st fight in Riyadh.
“Of course, he’s one of the dangerous opponents. You see, in his fights, he’s powerful. I love to be tested, and this fight is going to be a huge test. I have good skills. I believe in my skills. I’m in boxing 28 years.
“I think it could help me with my experience and my skills. I just believe I can be undisputed,” said Bivol.
“I see another belt,” said Artur Beterbiev. “I’m collecting belts, and I need one more. He knows better; ask him,” said Beterbiev on why it’s taken so many years for his fight with Bivol to take place.
“You know,” said Beterbiev when asked what message he has for Bivol, which suggests that he may have hurt him in sparring in the past.
“His Excellency said, ‘I want this fight,’ and now it’s happened,” said Bivol.
Full Card:
- Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – (Undisputed light-heavyweight titles
- Deontay Wilder (Matchroom) vs Zhilei Zhang (Queensberry)
- Daniel Dubois (Queensberry) vs Filip Hrgovic (Matchroom)
- Raymond Ford (Matchroom) vs Nick Ball (Queensberry) – (WBA featherweight title)
- Craig Richards (Matchroom) vs Willy Hutchinson (Queensberry)
- Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (Matchroom) vs Hamzah Sheeraz (Queensberry)
