Bivol defeated WBO light heavyweight titleholder Joe Smith Jr. surpassed in 2019. Photo by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol hold all four bantamweight championships between them, combining for a highly impressive 43-0 (32 knockouts) record.
The two rivals will meet on Saturday at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the vacant Ring Championship and to decide who is the premier light heavyweight of their generation.
They share one common opponent, Joe Smith Jr. The American lost to both in world title fights. He was defeated by Bivol (UD) in a WBA title shot in March 2019 and against Beterbiev (TKO 2) in a unification bout in June 2022.
“It’s definitely a big fight for both guys,” Smith told The Ring. “Both are great fighters. Bivol has great technical abilities, as does Beterbiev.
“In my opinion they are two of the best fighters in the world, in all divisions they can beat anyone. It’s going to be amazing.”
Smith, who will be looking at a two-fight losing streak when he returns to cruiserweight this fall, was happy to talk about his shared history with both fighters.” (Beterbiev’s) a very accurate puncher and his timing accuracy is right,” he said. “Bivol is a very smooth guy, he has good in and out movement. He bounces very well on his feet and throws numerous punches and combinations. He is a tough fight for anyone.
“I did hurt Bivol with one shot, but went 12 rounds with him. With Beterbiev, I landed some decent shots early on, but the fight ended quickly (laughs.)
The intriguing match pits Bivol, a great boxer who will take you apart with time and space, as Beterbiev methodically breaks you down over a period of time.
“That’s exactly how I see things,” he agreed. “They have so much ability that it’s definitely going to be a great fight to watch and it could definitely go either way. Beterbiev does break you down and get you out of there, but Bivol will break you down in a different way with numerous punches and make you frustrated because you can’t hit him back (laughs.)
“I caught him with a nice overhand right at the end of the bell (in round 10), which he didn’t see coming. Thirty seconds earlier I would have been the champion! (laughs.) That’s what Beterbiev does well, so (Bivol has) got to watch out for that punch.”
Joe Smith Jr (left) and Artur Beterbiev (right) exchange punches during their IBF/WBC/WBO light heavyweight title fight, at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 18, 2022 – Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Meanwhile, he felt as if whoever landed first in his battle with Beterbiev would win, and perhaps he was a little too gung-ho.
“That’s how I felt in that fight,” he said. “He caught me with a good shot coming forward, right behind the ear and with the crowd and adrenaline rush I didn’t give myself time to recover, I just kept going after him and that got me into trouble .”
Smith Jr. says that both have their battles to fight, and whoever can impose their style will go a long way to emerge victorious.
“I think what Bivol does, in and out, that great movement that he has and is always aware of what’s coming at him and is sharp,” he said. “(Beterbiev has to) take his time and get his shots right. Only be busy when he can be busy. Every time Bivol comes in to throw his punches, hit him.”
Smith Jr. broke down each fighter into 10 key categories:
JAB
Bivol: “They both have good jabs, but I would say Bivol will use his jab more.”
DEFENSE
Bivol: “Neither of them get hit too much, but I’ll go with Bivol, with that in-and-out, side-to-side movement that he has, where Beterbiev comes straight forward and into a corner to to his right hand.”
HAND SPEED
Bivol: “Better hand speed, I’m going to Bivol. They are both fast, I would say Bivol throws more variety of punches, I say busy with his feet and hands.”
FOOTWORK
Bivol: “You must go with Bivol. His footwork is unlike anything I’ve seen, he bounces like a rabbit, he’s kind of in and out, that little bounce, side to side and he picks his angles. Beterbiev works those angles, he always comes in, but he steps down right or left. He is always looking for a big chance.”
SMARTEST
Split: “Both of their IQs in the ring are incredible, they both know what they’re looking for, they set things up and get things going and take advantage of it when they get the opportunity. I really can’t say either way because both men are dangerous.”
STRONGEST
Bivol: “From my experience in the clinches, I thought Bivol was actually stronger, but I wasn’t there too long with Beterbiev to make the call. I didn’t feel Beterbiev was extremely strong when I was there with him, he caught me in the right place at the right time which changed everything.”
FORCE
Beterbiev: “When Beterbiev caught me, it was a good shot in the right place and knocked me off balance where I couldn’t balance myself properly. Both men are strong, but I will give the strength to Beterbiev.”
KNOW
Split: “I think they both have good kinks and the fight can definitely go far. You’ve seen Beterbiev hurt in the past. I saw how Bivol hurt against me. They both recover quickly and come back.”
SKILLS
Split: “Both of these guys have an incredible skill and ability to do what they do. They are completely different styles and in a way they have similar characteristics. You just have to wait to see the fight to really see what happens.”
BEST OVERALL
Bivol: “I’m going to give Bivol a slight edge, just because of the movement and the combinations he throws.”
Smith Jr. believe it is a fight with good margins.
“I can see Beterbiev trying to put the pressure on early, stay on him,” he said. “I can see that Bivol is careful and boxes very well. I think the fights are going to build and build and be a big fight.
“The fight could go either way. You have Bivol with his combinations and feet, he can take Beterbiev apart. Or Beterbiev where he lands a big shot.
“I believe it will be a close fight. It could be a standoff, both men have the power and ability to stop each other. It’s going to be an interesting fight. I think it’s 50/50, both have a slight advantage in certain things.
“If I really had to make a choice, I might take my chances with Bivol by decision.”
Beterbiev-Bivol will air on DAZN at 2pm ET/11am PT. And 19:00 GMT. ESPN at 5pm ET/12pm PT.
