Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are getting ready to fight for all the marbles in the light heavyweight division. The two champions will face off this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the winner set to become the first undisputed light heavyweight champ in over 20 years.
Beterbiev will put his WBO, WBC and IBF belts on the line, while Bivol brings his WBA title to the table. The last time all these belts were held by one fighter was back in 1999 when Roy Jones Jr started his reign at the top of the division. Jones Jr kept his undisputed status for over three years until 2002.
Speaking of Roy Jones Jr, the boxing legend recently shared his thoughts on how he'd fare against these modern-day champions. In an interview with Talksport, Jones Jr claimed he would have knocked out both Beterbiev and Bivol in his prime.
"Bivol would've been a difficult task because of his boxing skills and mobility. He's not easy to catch because his legs move so well. Beterbiev is one of the hardest punchers in the history of the division, so you gotta be careful. You can't let him get any free shots. But I think I would've gotten to Beterbiev quicker than I would've gotten to Bivol."
Jones Jr's confidence aside, the upcoming fight between Beterbiev and Bivol has got boxing fans on the edge of their seats. Both fighters bring their own unique strengths to the ring. Beterbiev's known for his knockout power, while Bivol's technical skills have earned him praise from boxing experts.
The stakes couldn't be higher for this showdown. Not only will the winner walk away with all four major belts, but they'll also etch their name in boxing history as the first undisputed light heavyweight champ in over two decades.
A former world champion who has faced Beterbiev in the ring has warned that Bivol might be in for a tough night. The ex-champ believes Bivol could be in "a lot of trouble" against Beterbiev's power.
As fight night approaches, fans and experts alike are debating who'll come out on top. Will it be Beterbiev's raw power or Bivol's technical prowess? One thing's for sure – this weekend's bout in Riyadh promises to be a thrilling clash for light heavyweight supremacy.
