WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol during today’s Media Day ahead of Saturday night’s show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
WBC/IBF/WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev was also on hand a little later.
Beterbiev and Bivol look to crown the first undisputed light heavyweight world champion this century. That bout will stream on ESPN+.
The undercard can be seen on DAZN (no PPV in the US). Fights include:
- IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia will defend his title against British fighter Jack Massey.
- Middleweight Chris Eubank Jr. competes for the first time since September 2023 when he fights Kamil Szeremeta.
- British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke will rematch after the two men did battle back in March.
- Also, unbeaten 2020 Olympian Ben Whittaker meets Liam Cameron, WBC female featherweight champion Skye Nicolson collides with Raven Chapman, and Mohammed Alakel faces Jesus Gonzalez.
Just about the best matchup in boxing is happening this week. It is going to be a tremendous fight. Cannot wait for Saturday.
You nailed it my friend. It’s gonna be good.
Oh man what a fight ! It’s like the fights from the 70 s 80s . Hopefully they do 2 or 3 . Great for boxing regardless of who wins . I will be cheering for both of them . Hopefully it’s a draw .
There will only be one fight between these two guys. Regardless of the outcome of this and the Usyk-Fury rematch, we will see Usyk-Beterbiev (Ukraine vs. Russia) at a catch weight of 215 in 2025. Beterbiev fought at Heavyweight in the amateurs, there is no way he is easily making 175 at about 40 years old. He will go to 190-195 for an Usyk match. Maybe I am just hoping for a 1950’s style heavyweight championship fight.
No we don’t want a draw haha. However, you might not be far off. If it goes to a decision, I can almost guarantee it will be a draw.
Kudos!!
What time does the fight start – and what are the ways to see it, other than going there or ESPN+?
“…..and what are the ways to see it, other than going there or ESPN+?”
– From another Boxing site:
BROADCAST DETAILS:
Main Event and Undercard in the US and Canada:
Available LIVE on ESPN+
UK viewers: Tune into TNT Sports Box Office or DAZN PPV.
PAY-PER-VIEW DETAILS: US & Canada: $19.99 on ESPN+ (entire card)
In the UK: £19.99 on TNT Sports Box Office in UK and DAZN (UK and 200 countries worldwide)
DAZN Subscription Access: Includes stacked undercard for US and Canada
Additional Platforms for Worldwide Viewing:
discovery+ (UK only)
EE TV
Prime Video
Virgin Media TV
– Take care.
– Gary G.
Bivol will look good early with his movement and boxing skills.
But if Beterbiev has anything left in those 40+ yr old legs he should be able to wear Bivol down and stop him.
I’m calling 12th rd tko for Beterbiev.
This fight reminds me of Duran v Leonard I.
Artur very strong can end the fight with a punch.
Bivol superb ring and boring IQ
Off topic. I’m hoping this Crawford-Teofimo beef on
social media turns into something real. Don’t really
care who wins. Just want to see it. In 2025 we have
to demand some super fights. How about Tank vs
Loma/Rayo/Shakur/William Zepeda. I’d like to see
a rescheduled Catterall vs Prograis. Dubois vs Fury.
Benevidez vs Morrell. Just to name a few.
Crawford is too big for Ryan and Teófimo
And too small for canelo
Tell Crawford to Vergil Ortiz
Ryan could definitely make 154 when he comes back. Can he take a punch at 154? That is the million dollar question.
Teo already said he would fight Bud at 147 or 154. Crawford is not going back to 147. Teofimo might be at a disadvantage at 154, even though he said he walks around at 160. Crawford
versus Virgil Ortiz more logical. Some of
Virgil’s flaws got exposed in his last fight.
He better work on defense, and not getting hit so much. I think Bud versus
Virgil would be like Arguello-Mancini.
Matador vs Bull. Right now, Crawford is
too technical for Virgil, and much more
experienced.
Make the weight is not the problem
Inoue can do it as well
The problem is keep the power
Tell Ryan and Teofimo to fight. THEY’RE IN THE SAME WEIGHT CLASS.
Start listening to the interviews if you think both guys are still at 140.
Why do you think Ryan came in over the weight for Haney??? He can’t make 140 any more!!! Ryan is done at 140. People are not paying attention.
Benevidez turned down the Morrel fight. He is no longer the monster.
I denied this for a long time, but now its obvious. Nobody can’t deny it anymore. Benavidez is ducking Morell. Period.
I don’t know why? Morrell did not look good in his last fight with hot rod.
Morrel did not look good because he jump up weigh division not everybody fits well in new do Orion even when is just one more division
Ok, I do not disagree, but the comment was that benavidez is ducking him. I don’t think so. Why would he? Morrell fought hot rod, he was not a world beater. He did look good against a guy that normally folds under pressure. Benavidez had some difficulty too against a much better fighter.
Agreed !
Ikr, but it seems that Benavidez’ superpower is gone once he moved up to lh. B couldn’t hurt Gwodzyk. So why B doesn’t fight Morrell, when M is one of the less out there who desparately wants to fight him for a while? So I stick to my comment: Benavidez ducks Morrell.
Boxing needs Benavidez-Morrell to happen in 2025. It’s one of the best fights out there to be made and both guys seem like they would be willing to make it happen.
Teofimo does not want to fight Crawford. He mentions his name to stay relevant but has been coasting. He could fight Ryan Garcia or #1 rated Arnold Barboza who are actually in his weight class instead of gaslighting a fight that will never happen. Tank tried to fight Loma in November but Loma dodged. After Loma dodged he decided to dig up a guy from 130 whom we know he’s going to stop. Tank doesn’t want top competition. The Loma fight should have happened years ago. As for Shakur Stevenson. You might as well give up on him. He’s likely never going to fight a top guy again.
I’m swaying towards Bivol on this one by close, hard fought decision! Ben Whitaker on the undercard. He’s great for the sport, great showman and entertainer and has one of the best qualities a guy could have in the sport: You want to see him get his ass KO’d!
– Thank you, Boxing gods.
– Thank you, again, Amazon Fire Stick……….
Stealing the broadcast is a fine way to say Thank you for a good fight card isnt it?
“Stealing the broadcast is a fine way to say Thank you for a good fight card isnt it?”
– Yes, it is.
– I pay a $246/month Comcast Cable bill, and I’m not paying for fights.
– I go to live fights to support the sport.
– Save your preaching for Sunday church.
– Take care.
– Gary G.
The last thing I’d ever feel guilty about is keeping a few bucks out of the purses of the “royal majesties” in the House of Saul and the corrupt gangsters that run boxing and tv!
$246 for cable!! Its free in 2024.
The gods of war are smiling. Beterbiev is a
beast. Can Bivol take those hits for 12 rounds?
“Thank you, again, Amazon Fire Stick”
I gotta figure out what that thing is all about!
“Thank you, again, Amazon Fire Stick.
I gotta figure out what that thing is all about!”
HDBF:
– The Fire Stick is the best $35 that I ever spent.
– Amazon allows 3rd party apps to be downloaded onto the Stick.
– These 3rd party apps provide free PPV (all sports), as well as free movies and TV shows.
– Can be a little frustrating when watching a PPV event if the feed freezes up or the link is removed, and you have to find another one.
– All in all, no complaints from me.
– Take care.
– Gary G.
Winner is PPP king. Both guys put the work in and fight the best. Neither had the luxury to cherry pick.
If Bivol manages to win he would have to be
#1P4P. Beating Beterbiev, and Canelo, would
earn him that.
Beterbiev will win by TKO8. Only super old age will defeat Beterbiev because he appears to have great habits in/outside the ring. Beterbiev is also mentally tough (always hunting). Look for Beterbiev to use heavy jabs to close the distance and throw heavy-heavy body shots.
Beterbiev may also show defensive head movements to apply maximum inside pressure and to get in range. Beterbiev will display a destructive roar of jungle cat hunger, quickness, reflexes and power.
Beterbiev will stop boxing ONLY when he is tired of beating up opponents and ONLY when is ready to stroll into the HOF club, as one of the greatest LHs.
A superb boxer will beat a puncher almost every single time. I do not see bivol going toe to toe with beterbiev. Unanimous decision bivol. I think if beterbiev can maximize those moments where he can get off will be his only hope to ko bivol. I don’t think bivol will give him those opportunities though.
Bivol has to have enough firepower to keep
Beterbiev off him. Boxing skills alone may not be enough. What do the oddsmakers in Vegas say? If Bivol can pull off a win it would be legendary.
He has some pop, but if he comes in shape which he usually does, he should have no problem boxing him.
He has some pop, but if he comes in shape which he usually does, he should have no problem boxing him. Again, he has to minimize those exchanges where beterbiev can land his punches. To me, this fight will closely resemble when he fought canelo. I just believe beterbiev has more power.
“What do the oddsmakers in Vegas say? ”
Last night the booky odds were virtually even with a very very slight nod towards Bivol.
From what I’ve seen on the Youtubes the “experts” are tending to pick Bivol, the commenters Beterbiev. Me, I don’t know. We’ll see, as Bet. says.
Bivol looks like he has a black eye….not good coming into a fight with a killer. Beterbiev tko 10
Use logic gentleman, that is a man’s divine purpose and gift: Age and recent knee surgery don’t bode well for Beterbiev against a mover in Bivol. I see a decision victory here for the Russian/Korean.
He’s from Moldova. But yeah, he’s part Korean. Speaks Russian. Trifecta. LOL
Can’t hardly wait!!
fantastic matchup.. this is no berlanga-canelo
This is the “Fight of the Year”. I like both guys and what they do. If it goes the distance, Bivol will likely get the decision but as much as I like his boxing IQ, if I have to pick a winner it’s Beterbiev by late KO.
The last time I picked the boxer over the puncher was in 1988 when Tyson annilated Spinks. Beterbiev is no Tyson, but he’s a 39 year old wrecking machine that’s gonna seek and destroy by hurting everything he hits. Bivol won’t be able to run all night and will have to stop and fight at some point to keep him off him and won’t be able to rest.
Will Bivol outbox Beterbiev or Beterbiev’s power gonna take over? Exciting match for sure.
Too hard pick a winner going say be a draw
I’ve been going back and forth on this one for a while, but got to go with Bivol, his wide south paw stance, movement, and he’s got a good pop in his punches, i see a dec. or late tko.
?
Bivol isn’t a southpaw, he fights TALL.
He does not give up his height.
He is in and out constantly.
He looks like a perfect animated, videogame boxer, his movement is very smooth
I like them both, unless Beterbiev has some lingering injury issues I see him KO’ing Bivol.
Smith put a serious dent in Bivol and Beterbiev annihilated Smith.
He is a much harder puncher.
I stand corrected he’s not a southpaw
SO PUMPED for this one!!! I’m glad that foolish rule to not allow a unification was removed. Bivol is my guy, but you can never count out Artur Beterbiev who has 100% KO rate and lives, breathes and eats boxing. I’m just going to sit back, relax and enjoy this one.
It’s no secret that boxing has been a declining sport in the US for years, and this card certainly reflects that. This is a huge fight with neither fighter being from or even based in the US, and the fight is in Riyadh. Riyadh has officially replaced Las Vegas as the official host city of megafights. I don’t even think a single fighter on the entire card is from the US. Great boxers come from all corners of the earth, but there’s been an adage in boxing, maybe until now, that if you wanted to make it big in the sport, you had to come to America. I’m not sure that’s still the case. As a proud American, does that bother me? Not really. I’ve never taken any nationalistic pride in boxing, I’ve always looked at the fighter first, regardless of origin. It’s just an interesting observation that America is no longer on the forefront of the sport. I’m all for globalization.
DAZN carries the undercard and ESPN+ carries the main event.
Just how useless is DAZN in 2024? I can’t wait for the year to close and this contract to end. The scumbaggery of this industry and the streaming platforms is something better left for dead.