Artur Beterbiev insists undisputed status adds ‘another dimension’ to his showdown with Dmitry Bivol… with the undefeated pair set to square off on June 1 in Saudi Arabia
- Unified champion Artur Beterbiev will face Dmitry Bivol on June 1 in Saudi Arabia
- Showdown will determine the first undisputed king of the division since Roy Jones Jr
The Monster strolled amiably into London and calmly explained why he will be even more menacing in his next fight than when he wiped away the canvas with the world light heavyweight title hopes of Britain’s Anthony Yarde and Callum Smith.
Artur Beterbiev, the terminator of 20 fights and 20 KOs, said of his June 1 meeting with the also undefeated Dmitry Bivol: ‘Fighting for the undisputed championship brings a different dimension.
‘It is different in emotion, different in importance, different in ambition, different in preparation. This is a BIG fight.”
Not to be seen as disparaging Yarde and Smith, the world’s most destructive puncher added: ‘I know from being in the ring with the British boxers that they gave their best. They did not abandon themselves.
“But with them it wasn’t the same experience as the unification battles where I already have the experience. Certainly not the same experience as a fight for the undisputed title.’
Artur Beterbiev will take on fellow undefeated star Dmitry Bivol in Saudi Arabia on June 1
The clash will crown the first undisputed light heavyweight champion in more than two decades
A 5v5 showdown between Queensberry and Matchroom Boxing is on the undercard
Bivol, whose only win against Beterbiev’s superior came with his surprising yet convincing defeat of Mexican legend Canelo Alvarez, spoke in unison with his fellow Soviet rival.
He said, ‘This is the biggest fight of my life. Bigger than Canelo because Artur is the toughest opponent I will ever face. I wanted this fight because it will motivate me to the maximum.”
It is a telling testament to how Saudi Arabian wealth is transforming big-time boxing that this classic battle between two beasts from eastern Europe is due to launch in London this week before taking place in Riyadh on June 1.
Beterbiev and Bivol follow heavyweight kings Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder into the enriching realm of the Saudi treasury as they fight for all the light heavyweight belts.
This event will also not damage the bank accounts of five fighters, each from the stables of rival British promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, who will compete in an inter house tournament on the undercard.