Lightweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol looked nervous during today’s showdown in their press conference ahead of their October 12 clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs), WBA 175-lb champion, is known for his movement, in-and-out attacks, and combination punching. He used this approach to defeat Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, Joe Smith Jr. and Lyndon Arthur.
Undefeated IBF, WBC and WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is a powerhouse guy, who has defeated everyone he has faced during his 11-year professional career.
Beterbiev is a two-time Olympian, and many people believe he was robbed in his 2012 Olympic match against Oleksandr Usyk. The judges scored it 17-13 for Usyk, but Beterbiev got the better of him and hurt him at one point.
Beterbiev’s recent knee injury leaves some doubt as to whether he can handle the movement of Bivol, who will try to throw him. However, Beterbiev insists his knee is “100%”, which might not be the case. On May 3 of this year, Beterbiev suffered a torn meniscus knee injury, which caused the postponement of his scheduled June 1 fight against Bivol.
“He is a good boxer. He has good experience in amateur and professional. He holds a belt,” said Beterbiev to the Stomping Groundgiving his thoughts on Bivol. “I always respect my opponents and future opponents.
“I see the eyes,” Beterbiev said when asked if he sees things in his opponents during their face-offs that tell him how his fight is going. “I train twice a day, six times a week, and I want a day off from everything.
“No, because if everything is good and without injuries, I will continue,” said Beterbiev when asked if he knows how many more fights he has left before retiring. “It’s the biggest fight in my boxing career because it’s undisputed for four belts. I’m really excited for this fight,” Beterbiev said about his fight against Bivol on October 12.
