Bivol, known for his slick precision, holds the WBA belt. He's been a tough nut to crack in the ring, with only one stoppage in his last ten bouts. On the other side, Beterbiev brings raw aggression and scary power. He holds the IBF, WBO, and WBC titles and stands as the only current world champion with a 100% knockout-to-fight ratio.
The fight was initially set for an earlier date but had to be postponed due to an injury to Beterbiev. At 38, Beterbiev's age might be catching up with him. He's shown signs of slowing down and cutting up easier in recent fights. Despite these concerns, his background of 300 amateur fights and a tough pro career speaks to his resilience.
Famed trainer turned analyst Teddy Atlas shared his thoughts on the fight with Fight Hub TV. He favors Bivol to win:
"I never will rule out Beterbiev, he's got power, he's got character and pride. But, yeah, I got Bivol a solid favourite. I think there's a good chance he stops him late in the fight, either by cuts or by just an endless barrage of punches – Beterbiev is not a defensive wizard – where the referee would probably have to stop it or his corner would have to stop it."
Atlas points out that while Beterbiev has power, character, and pride, he's aging and isn't known for his defensive skills. These factors could play into Bivol's hands, potentially leading to a late stoppage.
The light-heavyweight division hasn't seen an undisputed champion since Roy Jones Jr. Bivol and Beterbiev now have the chance to change that. With Bivol being five years younger and more active recently, he might have an edge.
The winner of this fight will have achieved something special, but they won't have much time to rest. David Benavidez waits in the wings as the WBC mandatory challenger. There's also speculation that the winner, particularly if it's Beterbiev, might consider hanging up the gloves after such a significant achievement.
No matter the outcome, this fight promises to be a clash of styles and a defining moment for the light-heavyweight division. Boxing fans around the world will be watching closely on October 12 to see who emerges as the undisputed champion.