Dmitry Bivol insists showdown with Artur Beterbiev ‘is not personal’

Dmitry Bivol has had to be patient, but the WBA light heavyweight titleholder is allowing himself to begin counting down the days until he gets his long-awaited shot at fulfilling his lifelong dream.

On Oct. 12, Bivol will fight WBC, IBF and WBO titleholder Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed title.

A potential clash between the undefeated champions has been discussed and debated for years but, even after agreeing a deal and signing a contract to fight on June 1st, a Beterbiev knee injury meant that Bivol – and boxing fans – have had to wait just a little longer. 

“I’m happy. I’m happy that I’m close to my goal,” Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) told Queensberry.

“It’s like you went to the final stop in your career I think, in this weight class. 

“This goal motivated me to be better. To go to the gym. To wake up in the morning. This goal, which I see with open eyes and which I want to reach.”

Bivol is one of the most cerebral fighters in world boxing. He has made a career out of decoding his opponents and then systematically disarming them and then beating them with his outstanding boxing skills. 

Nothing is certain but Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) seems almost certain to present the 33-year-old with his most physically challenging night’s work yet. 

Normal boxing logic would dictate that, at 39 years old, Beterbiev must be slowing down but he fights so infrequently that it is hard for opponents to pinpoint any patterns or habits that may indicate his decline.

Indeed, Beterbiev’s last performance was arguably his most impressive. In January, he was at his relentless best as he ground down and stopped former super middleweight champion, Callum Smith, in seven rounds. 

The only thing his opponents can do is study his previous outings and prepare for the fearsome prospect of dealing with a peak Beterbiev. 

Bivol’s excellent timing, punching picking and mastery of controlling distance give him a better chance than anybody else of ending Beterbiev’s run and, maybe most importantly, he believes that he has the ability to do it. 

“He’s a great fighter. He’s a great puncher. Also, he has a good technique,” he said.

“I watch his fights, of course. Not too much but I watched his last fights.

“It was a good performance [against Smith]. He showed that he still has power, pressure and he’s confident. It was a good fight.

“We will see in the ring how it will be. It’s not personal at all. He has what I want and what I need. I can just say that I believe in my skills, and I will do everything to be undisputed world champion and I’m capable of doing it.”

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79