In one of the most anticipated fights in some time, Artur Beterbiev and Dimitry Bivol will collide for the undisputed light heavyweight crown on October 12 in Saudi Arabia. Both undefeated champions will put their respective belts on the line with one fighter getting the glory of light heavyweight supremacy. This is a fight that’s been tossed around for more than a year and will finally take place. A Russian citizen, Bivol was deemed ineligible by WBC heads in 2023 due to his country’s aggression toward Ukraine. A few years younger and a more technically sound fighter, Bivol opened as a -140 favorite on the boxing betting line.
There are some concerns about the three-strap champ Beterbiev, who makes his first trip to the ring since postponing the scheduled June bout with Bivol due to a knee injury sustained in training. Beterbiev is fast approaching 40 years old but he has just 20 professional fights on his resume with all of them by stoppage. Beterbiev is a +114 underdog on the early betting line.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol Betting Odds
Artur Beterbiev +114
Dimitry Bivol -139
The 12-round light heavyweight title fight between WBC, WBO and IBF champ Artur Beterbiev ( 20-0, 20 KOs ) and WBA champ Dimitry Bivol ( 23-0, 12 KOs ) is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout will stream on ESPN+.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol Fight Preview
This fight is an anomaly compared to some other title bouts we’ve covered recently. Two veteran boxers who have not lost a professional fight not only spark plenty of interest from the boxing community but also sportsbooks. This much anticipated bout will get plenty of interest on both sides. The knock against Bivol is his list of opponents. Outside of a unanimous decision over Canelo Alvarez in 2022, there are not many household names on his resume.
Sometimes it only takes one to put a fighter in the spotlight. Buster Douglas will live in infamy for his KO of champ Mike Tyson. Bivol is doing something right, though, since he’s yet to lose in 23 professional fights, quite an accomplishment no matter who’s in the ring with you. Bivol was an underdog of around +400 for the Alvarez fight even though he was 19-0 and the WBA light heavyweight champ. He earned the UD with the same 115-113 on all three scorecards. The win made Bivol more of a household name.
After beating Alvarez, Bivol had unanimous decisions over Gilberto Ramirez and Lyndon Arthur and most recently he ended a run of nine straight decisions with a sixth-round TKO of Malik Zinad in June. Bivol was originally set to fight Beterbiev around that time but an injury to the latter allowed the regional champ to step in. And I mention Bivol’s run of decisions because his inability to finish opponents could be problematic against a punishing opponent.
Beterbiev is one of the best finishers in the sport with all his fights ending before the judges. And even though he’s getting long in the tooth, he’s paced himself over the years with only five fights this decade. Most recently, Beterbiev stopped Callum Smith with a seventh-round TKO in January. That fight was also delayed when Beterbiev had jaw surgery.
We have a contrast in styles with these boxers. Bivol is the more technically sound fighter and he has the ability with his nimble feel to avoid getting hit. He’d rather not go toe-to-toe with an opponent, but he can if he has to. Beterbiev should go on the offensive early looking to land a few punches to set the tone.
Bet Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol
The odds favor Bivol due to his opponent’s age and recent injury history. However, Beterbiev is the best puncher Bivol has faced and Bivol will need to avoid the onslaught in order to win. That’s not a bid thing since nearly half his fights have gone the distance, and Bivol has a few years on his side. But surviving the rampage is another thing. Beterbiev is one of the best and hardest hitters in the sport today and withstanding the punishment is something Bivol isn’t accustomed to.
Boxing Odds Pick: Artur Beterbiev / TKO
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