David Benavidez is picking WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to be victorious against Artur Beterbiev next Saturday night in Riyadh. Benavidez gives Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) a “slight edge” in their undisputed light heavyweight championship on October 12th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Benavidez is the WBC mandatory and interim champion and will potentially be getting a shot at that title next year. His chances of winning are arguably better against Bivol than Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs), who might be too powerful for the volume puncher.
Beterbiev, 39, is the older fighter than the 33-year-old Bivol, and he comes into the match with doubts about his right knee condition. He had surgery in May 2024 for a ruptured meniscus, and he has only had four months to recover from the surgery.
“I think Bivol has a slight edge, but I don’t know. It’s a 50-50 fight. It”s going to be a great fight, but I think Bivol might take off with a victory,” said David Benavidez to Pro Boxing Fans, picking Dmitry Bivol over Artur Beterbiev next Saturday night.
“That fight, Bivol and Beterbiev, has got everything,” said broadcaster Adam Smith. “Do I lean slightly towards one? Maybe Bivol, but Beterbiev boxed so well against Callum Smith that he can turn it on. He’s not just an aggressive powerhouse; he can box beautifully as well.
“Bivol is a wonderful technician. He’s not got the power of Beterbiev, but he has got the skills. It’s going to be so tight. It’s a wonderful fight.”
“Probably Beterbiev because he’s a very clever fighter, and he can bang, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Bivol won,” said Ben Whittaker.
“I’ve always fancied Bivol. It’s not so much that he beat Callum Smith. It’s how he did it. It’s what he was doing. It’s what Beterbiev was doing that I found impressive,” said trainer Dave Coldwell.
“He wasn’t exerting himself at all. He just controlled everything. He controlled every little detail, and he managed the pace really well, which, as you’re getting older, you need to be able to do. That’s why I’m picking Beterbiev because, at 39, he isn’t showing anything.
“No hesitation. He isn’t showing anything where I look at him and think, ‘He is deteriorating.’ So, I think I’m going to go with Beterbiev on that one,” said Coldwell.
The way that Betebiev looked so relaxed against Callum Smith showed that he doesn’t waste energy or stress out when dealing with a power puncher. Bivol is a different fighter than Smith, but he’ll be trying to hurt Beterbiev in the same way.
If Beterbiev can stay relaxed under fire against Bivol, as he did against Smith, he’s got a good chance of winning.
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