Light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol looked nervous during today’s face-off at their press conference ahead of their October 12th headliner in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs), WBA 175-lb champion, is known for his movement, in-and-out attacks, and combination punching. He’s used that approach to defeat Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, Joe Smith Jr. and Lyndon Arthur.
The unbeaten IBF, WBC and WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is a power guy, who has knocked out everyone he’s faced during his 11-year professional career.
Beterbiev is a two-time Olympian, and many people 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 had him hurt at one point.
Beterbiev’s recent knee injury leaves some doubt as to whether he can handle Bivol’s movement, who will be looking to outbox him. However, Beterbiev insists that his knee is “100%,” that might not be the case. Beterbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus knee injury on May 3rd of this year, causing the postponement of his scheduled June 1 fight against Bivol.
“He’s a good boxer. He has good experience in amateur and professional. He holds one belt,” said Beterbiev to the Stomping Ground, giving his thoughts on Bivol. “I’m always respecting my opponents and future opponents.
“I see eyes,” said Beterbiev when asked if he sees things in his opponents during his face-offs that tell him how their fight would go. “I train two times a day, six times per week, and I want a day off from everything.
“No, because if everything is good and no injuries, I will continue,” said Beterbiev on whether he knows how many more fights he has left before retiring. “It’s the biggest fight in my boxing career because it’s for undisputed for four belts. I’m really excited for this fight,” Beterbiev said about his clash against Bivol on October 12th.
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