Artur Beterbiev says he’s contemplating transferring up in weight if he’s victorious in his undisputed gentle heavyweight conflict in opposition to WBA 175-lb champion Dmitry Bivol on October twelfth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The IBF, WBC, and WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) states that he could have completed his objective of capturing all of the belts at gentle heavyweight if he’s victorious in his 12 spherical contest in opposition to Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs). Nevertheless, he’s nonetheless undecided what he’ll do subsequent.
If Beterbiev does transfer as much as cruiserweight, followers can be eager about a battle between him and unbeaten IBF champion Jai Opetaia, who’s seen as one of the best fighter within the division.
Opetaia is an efficient fighter, however he regarded uncomfortable with the strain placed on him in his final battle in opposition to Mairis Briedis of their rematch on Might 18th.
Beterbiev-Bivol will probably be proven stay on ESPN+ on the Kingdom Enviornment in a break up broadcast occasion. The undercard will probably be displayed on one other community.
Will probably be troublesome for Beterbiev to defeat Bivol as a result of he should minimize off the ring and chase him across the ring all evening. In current coaching footage of Bivol, he’s utilizing numerous motion, which signifies that he’ll attempt to preserve Beterbiev on the skin.
“I’m not excited a few face-off. I’m excited a few battle. He’s an excellent boxer and he’s my problem,” mentioned Artur Beterbiev to the Queensberry YouTube channel, speaking about his battle in opposition to Dmitry Bivol on October thirteenth.
“I don’t know. I already had two fights towards undisputed in a unification battle, and the 2 guys are good too, and we’ll see what occurs with this man,” mentioned Beterbiev when requested if Bivol is the hardest battle of his profession.
Beterbiev has lately knocked out Callum Smith, Anthony Yarde, and WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. None of these fighters gave Beterbiev many issues. Yarde fought properly earlier within the battle however was worn down by the strain from Beterbiev and knocked out within the eighth spherical final yr on January twenty eighth.
“No. No fights are private,” mentioned Beterbiev. “It’s solely like I need one other belt. I really feel like within the boxing gymnasium, if you do a job, I really feel like there may be area to do higher. I all the time really feel like this. I have to do extra coaching on my expertise. I’ll attempt to be good boxer.”
Attempting to field Bivol won’t be a good suggestion for Beterbiev as a result of he’s higher off specializing in his normal preventing type by trying to knock him out. If Beterbiev will get right into a boxing match, he can be taking part in into his arms.
“My objective is to be an excellent boxer sooner or later. It means I’m not there but. I have to do laborious coaching as a result of I’m not there. I’m not an excellent boxer but. I will probably be an excellent boxer if I do laborious coaching,” mentioned Beterbiev.
“I believe for this class, it’s the primary objective,” mentioned Beterbiev. He’ll have gone so far as he needed if he captured the undisputed at gentle heavyweight. “We’ll see after. Challenges could also be in numerous classes. Go up [in weight]. I’m not targeted on this stuff,” mentioned Beterbiev.
