ON Saturday night boxing will crown an undisputed light-heavyweight champion when Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol collide in Riyadh.
The two are top of the 175lbs weight class and have been for some time but separating them is a difficult proposition.
This week there will be countless predictions, analysis and debate over what is a fascinating 50-50 fight where a strong argument can be made for either man. But what does the boxing industry think? Boxing News picked the brains of 14 individuals ranging from promoters to fighters to broadcasters.
Below are a brief selection and to watch more click on the video.
Ben Whittaker (Light-heavyweight contender and 2020 Olympic silver medallist)
“You’ll probably see interviews [where] I’ve swapped and changed. I was so strong on Beterbiev [and] Beterbiev will probably stop him. But now I’ve gone back to Bivol and I think Bivol. Bivol’s young, fresher, he’s stayed active, he can fight close, he can fight long and his fitness is good so I’ll edge more towards Bivol.”
Shane McGuigan (Leading trainer)
“I just think Beterbiev is on better form. Bivol looked really, really good when he boxed Canelo and he’s been inactive a little bit and didn’t look good in his last one. Beterbiev looked a little bit flat and fragile just before he boxed Callum Johnson and then Johnson dropped him. Around that time he wasn’t looking at his best. Now he’s come into his own. People might say the Anthony Yarde fight was a competitive fight, it wasn’t really. He took his foot off the gas, fought in bursts and was very within himself that night. And then Callum Smith… Callum’s a very good fighter so to do that to Callum Smith… he’s [Beterbiev] on great form.
Jim Lampley (Leading commentator and pundit)
“It’s just a great fight. It’s two terrific technicians. They both have power. I do think it’s logical to accord to Beterbiev and edge in punching power. It doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to win the fight. The Bivol who out-boxed Canelo Alvarez, supremely confident, in command of his craft, able to choose other options besides the ones in front of him to continue succeeding in the late rounds. He can win that fight. It’s a 50-50 fight. Can’t wait to see it.”
Jai Opetaia (IBF cruiserweight world champion)
“This is an awesome fight. Stylistically, the walk forward fighter against the guy that just keeps cutting angles. It’s awesome. As a boxing fan and the science of the sport… there’s a lot of hype around the heavyweights because they hit so hard but this is a chess match and as the science of the boxing sports this is a great fight, a great matchup and I’m honestly honoured to be a part of such a huge fight like this. Any real boxing fan that knows the styles and the statistics [knows] this fight’s massive.”
