Trainer Robert Garcia has tipped Dmitry Bivol to earn a decision over Artur Beterbiev on Oct. 12.
The unified WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titlist Beterbiev is scheduled to face his fellow Russian Bivol – holder of the WBA 175-pound belt – in an undisputed title fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Garcia – the lead trainer at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy – recognizes that it’s a tough call between the Russian two best fighters and the world’s top two light heavyweights.
“I can’t wait for that one, man,” Garcia told FightHub TV. “That’s gonna be a fight that’s hard to pick the winner. I lean towards Bivol by decision.”
A Bivol-Beterbiev blockbuster has been years in the making – and waiting – as a potential bout between them fell through due to a knee injury suffered by Beterbiev.
Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) has had a stellar professional career, beating the likes of super middleweight king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez. However, the fight with Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) remains Bivol’s biggest.
“I just think he’s got that style that he’s not gonna allow Beterbiev to get in,” Garcia said. “I don’t know. I just think Bivol will push it up and earn a decision win.”
Garcia acknowledges that Beterbiev remains tough at 39 years old. He has knocked out every opponent he has faced during his 11-year professional career. And while Bivol represents his greatest challenge, Garcia knows Beterbiev has the power to be a constant threat.
“I also wouldn’t be surprised if Beterbiev hurts [Bivol] and knocks him out, because that guy has so much power that he could knock anybody out,” Garcia said.
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].
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