There might not be a more menacing sight in all sport that Artur Beterbiev in full flow.
The holder of the WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight titles, he is one of boxing’s most destructive punchers.
He is a multi-belt champion whom no one has been able to contain. No professional fighter has gone the distance with him and Beterbiev has spent years operating at the highest levels.
He has got to them late, or got to them early, but no opponent has managed to hear the final bell.
But, this Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, Beterbiev is facing his greatest threat yet.
Dmitry Bivol, the holder of the WBA belt, has the only major championship outside of Beterbiev’s possession.
Undefeated like Beterbiev, Bivol is strong himself. A stern puncher, with outstanding footwork and timing, Bivol has a style that has convinced many that he is possibly the only man who can beat the unified titlist.
Dmitry Bivol, the holder of the WBA belt, has the only major championship outside of Beterbiev’s possession.
Undefeated like Beterbiev, Bivol is strong himself. A stern puncher, with outstanding footwork and timing, Bivol has a style that has convinced many that he is possibly the only man who can beat the unified titlist.
But if he is to be the toughest test of Beterbiev’s career, the unified champion is waiting to be convinced.
‘We’ll see. I’m really interested to know that. I don’t know. I always prepare for 12 rounds, for hard work,” Beterbiev told Sky Sports.
But he is extremely confident in the power behind his fists. “If I land, everyone can be knocked out,” he said, before adding: “At the same time we’re not thinking about a knockout, it’s not the main thing in our team.
“It’s not good if you prepare for a fight with one scenario. You need to be smarter.”
Beterbiev speaks softly but is no less menacing for that. He does not need histrionics or trashtalk. His KO power does all the screaming for him.
“Just seeing Artur who’s so quiet minded, so quiet, and just said [to Bivol at the press conference]: ‘He knows,'” noted Todd DuBoef, president of Top Rank which promotes Beterbiev.
“He doesn’t talk smack, he wasn’t getting in his face. ‘He knows’… The confidence was just beautiful and it was so Artur.
“His English is good but not that good and he just knew that all he needed to get across was that he mentally feels very comfortable about this fight and very excited.”
