Beter prepared

The Undisputed light heavyweight clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will take place on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The fight for this glittering accolade was announced for June 1, but a meniscus injury prevented Beterbiev from being ready.

Thus, it was Malik Zinad who, a month before the fight, agreed to take Beterbiev’s place to fight Dmitry Bivol. Although he resisted in the early rounds, Bivol’s power was decisive and he won with a sixth round TKO.

Beterbiev, in his most recent fight, won by knockout in the seventh round against British Callum Smith, in a fight that took place last January in Quebec, Canada.

In an interview with Queensberry, Beterbiev commented on some aspects of the fight:

“My opponent is a good boxer and a challenge for me. I don’t know if it’s the toughest test of my career, but I’m ready for whatever he brings to the ring. I’ve already had two unification fights and those guys were good too. We’ll see what happens with this guy.

“I feel that, in the boxing gym, or when you do some work, there is always room to do better. I always feel that way. I need to work more on my skills as a boxer.

“I seek to be the best in my division and that is my main goal. We will see later if there are more challenges. Maybe different categories, going up in weight. We will see. I am not focused on that right now. I only have one goal for now, to win next October 12.”