Top Promoter Warns Beterbiev Against 'Career-Ending' Matchup: "That's A Step Too Far"
![None None](/media/post/dmitrybivolcollage_slug_UcgDDLS.jpg)
Artur Beterbiev is getting ready for a big fight against Dmitry Bivol. The two champions will face off on October 12 in Riyadh for the undisputed light heavyweight title.
Beterbiev has won all 20 of his fights by knockout. He's the only current world champion who's stopped every opponent he's faced. The Russian-born Canadian fighter has beaten tough guys like Callum Smith, Callum Johnson, and Anthony Yarde.
The fight was supposed to happen earlier this year but got pushed back. Beterbiev hurt his knee, so they had to reschedule.
The October 12 event, called the Four Crown Showdown, will have other big fights too. Shakur Stevenson will take on Joe Cordina, and Fabio Wardley will face Frazer Clarke in a rematch. Jai Opetaia will defend his IBF cruiserweight title against Jack Massey.
There's been talk about what might happen after this fight. Turki Alalshikh from Riyadh Season suggested the winner could move up to cruiserweight to fight Opetaia. But Bob Arum, who promotes Beterbiev, doesn't like that idea.
In an interview with FightHype, Arum said:
"Absolutely not, I mean that's crazy. That's going up and giving up 25 lbs. As good as he is, that's a step too far in my opinion. I don't know what Artur has to say about that but I just think it's silly for a guy who has no problem making light heavyweight and is not that big a guy going up 25 lbs to fight a cruiserweight. I just don't think it makes any sense."
If Beterbiev wins, he might stay at light heavyweight and try to beat everyone else in the division. Or he could look for new challenges at cruiserweight, even though Arum doesn't like that idea. Beterbiev is 39 years old, so he might also think about retiring if he becomes undisputed champion.
Right now, all eyes are on the big fight in October. Fans can't wait to see if Beterbiev can keep his perfect knockout record against another top fighter like Bivol.