Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol ready for historic date with destiny

Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol spoke about the weight of history at the grand arrivals for their undisputed light-heavyweight title fight.

The Russians fight on Saturday at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in an occasion that will define their decorated careers.

They fight not only to prove themselves the finest of Russia’s light heavyweights, but the finest in the world and of their generation. Beterbiev, the IBF, WBO and WBC champion at 175lbs, is widely recognised as the finest light heavyweight since the retired Andre Ward, but recognises that in the event of defeat, Bivol, the WBA champion, will instead come to be regarded as the best.

Bivol, 33, enters an even more significant fight than that in May 2022 when he so convincingly inflicted the second of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s defeats. When he spoke in Riyadh he referenced the great Roy Jones Jnr; he also spoke of the fact that a quarter of a century has passed since Jones Jnr outpointed Reggie Johnson to become the undisputed champion at 175lbs.

“Everything was for this,” he told DAZN of his 23-fight career. “I’m trying to not think about it. The first fight, after 25 years, when Roy Jones was fighting – historical fight; undisputed; amazing fight – but finally, just a fight between two guys.

“This is the hardest part – when you should forget about everything; about everybody who’s bothering you; about all opinions in the world, and you have to be only with yourself, with your positive side, not with your negative side. You should find some arguments that you are better.

“This is a dream fight for all fighters, and I’m so delighted that I have this chance. A lot of great fighters couldn’t get this chance and I got it. I was working hard, and now I need to work in the ring.

“I don’t care about 50-50; 60-40. It’s just some numbers. I’m just focused only on my task in the ring. 

“People have been waiting for this fight for many years. Two different styles; two different boxers. I’m waiting. It’s a great fight.

“I just need to be my best version. I just need to do my work. I just need to be focused every second, and use all my skills, 100 per cent.

“I have this chance and thank God that I have this chance. I thank everybody in my life, and thank you to Riyadh Season and His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh, for making this fight. I’m so happy that I have this chance.

“I hope it will be a great fight and I hope I will win. I will try my best.”

Beterbiev, 39, enters Saturday’s fight – perhaps the most appealing, competitive and essential that can be made in any weight division – having forced a postponement from June 1 after rupturing his meniscus in training.

He has won all 20 of his professional fights inside the distance, and said: “Every good boxer wants to have this fight; an opportunity like this, and I’m really happy to have it.

“I’m not thinking about it, but I’m going towards this goal every day. 

“I’m good. My knee is good too.

“I’m not thinking about [the prospect of winning] now, but it’s going to happen, I hope.”