Light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitri Bivol looked nervous during today’s bout at their press conference ahead of their October 12th head-to-head in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs), WBA 175-lb champion, is known for his movement, in-and-out striking and combination punching. He used that approach to defeat Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, Joe Smith Jr. and defeating Lyndon Arthur.
Undefeated IBF, WBC and WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is a powerhouse who has knocked out everyone he has faced in his 11-year professional career.
Beterbiev is a two-time Olympian, and many believe he was robbed in his 2012 Olympic match against Oleksandr Usyk. The judges scored it 17-13 for Usyk, but Beterbiev got the better of him and hurt him at one point.
Beterbiev’s recent knee injury leaves some doubt as to whether he can handle Bivol’s movement, which will outbox him. However, Beterbiev insists his knee is “100%”, that may not be the case. Beterbiev suffered a torn meniscus knee injury on May 3 of this year, causing the postponement of his scheduled June 1 fight against Bivol.
“He is a good boxer. He has good experience in amateur and professional. He is holding one belt,” Beterbiev told the Stamping Groundgives his thoughts on Bivol. “I always respect my opponents and future opponents.
“I see eyes,” Beterbiev said when asked if he saw things in his opponents during his attack that told him how their fight would go. “I work out twice a day, six times a week, and I want a day off from everything.
“No, because if everything is good and no injuries, I will continue,” says Beterbiev about whether he knows how many more fights he has left before he retires. “This is the biggest fight in my boxing career because it’s undisputed for four belts. I am very excited for this fight,” Beterbiev said about his showdown against Bivol on October 12.
