Artur Beterbiev hit out at promoter Eddie Hearn during today’s final press conference and responded to the lip service he did predicting a win for his fighter Dmitry Bivol on Saturday.
Hearn called unified three-belt light heavyweight champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) “arrogant” and said he looked “exhausted” for his undisputed bout against Bivol in Riyadh. Hearn hit the right button to anger Beterbiev, who told him: “You talk a lot,” then said he would “finish” Bivol on Saturday, but maybe the British promoter today.
(Photo credit: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions)
Hearn’s face was desperate as he spoke as he needed WBA light heavyweight champion Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) to win this fight. If he wins, there’s a rematch with Canelo Alvarez against Bivol that will generate a boatload of money that helps with the dough rolling in. That rematch won’t help if Bivol gets knocked out by Beterbiev on Saturday.
Eddie Hearn: “I believe Dmitry Bivol will become undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world on Saturday night. He will achieve his lifelong dream, and he fights to the level of his opposition. There is only one man in the world who can beat Artur Beterbiev, and that is Dmitri Bivol, and it will happen on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.”
Arthur Beterbiev: “You want to fight Eddie. I can do something.”
Hear: Don’t worry about me. You have to get through him first.”
Beterbiev: “But why are you like that?”
Hear: “When he’s done with you, you’ll be easy for me.”
Beterbiev: “No need to finish with him. I’ll finish him tomorrow, but maybe you today.”
Hear: “The weigh-in is tomorrow.”
“Beterbiev: “But today, maybe.”
Hear: “Maybe. I don’t think it’s going to be a tough fight. You need a real challenge.”
Beterbiev: “I don’t think you’re in a good state right now.”
Hear: “I’m in terrible shape, but I think you should turn on this guy.”
Beterbiev: “Okay. You talk a lot.”
Hearn: “That’s my job. You have to try it.”
Beterbiev: “Okay, we’ll see on Saturday.”
Beterbiev gets it with Eddie Hearn 👀 #BeterbievBivol | #Riyadh Season | Oct 12, live on DAZN | @turk_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/P5reHGi8kD
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 10, 2024
