Beterbiev v Bivol: Predictions For The Undisputed Title Fight And Main Card

October 11, 2024
4 months
Artur Beterbiev and Dimitrii Bivol come face to face in Riyadh

On Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Artur Beterbiev and Dimitrii Bivol will battle for the undisputed light-heavyweight world title. It’s a fight the world has been anticipating for years as the two finest 175-pound fighters of their generation finally decide the king of the division.

There’s also an exciting undercard ahead of the main event, although there will be no Shakur Stevenson after the WBC lightweight world champion, who was scheduled to face Joe Cordina in the co-main bout, withdrew several weeks ago due to a hand injury in training.

Here are the predictions for the main card.

Beterbiev v Bivol (undisputed light-heavyweight title)

Arguably the best possible fight in boxing will take place at the Kingdom Arena where the two long-time champions of the light-heavyweight division finally collide.

A bout that has been trying to get made for several years was finally agreed for June 1, only for Beterbiev to sustain a knee injury and require surgery, pushing the date back four months. The unified WBC, WBO, and IBF champion has recovered and looks as ferocious as ever.

The Montreal-based Russian has a perfect record: 20 fights, 20 wins, 20 stoppages to establish a reputation as one of the finest knockout specialists of his era. He also possesses elite skills, shaped by a brilliant amateur career that saw him become European and world champion.

Bivol, also unbeaten after 23 fights (with 12 knockouts), is one of the most skillful and technically gifted fighters on the planet and has schooled every opponent put in front of him, including pound-for-pound superstar Canelo Alvarez.

So, what will come out on top: strength or skill? Power or precision? It feels too close to call. When the fight was announced, there was a large consensus that Beterbiev would win, but the closer to fight night it gets, it appears more are siding with Bivol.

The big question will be the fitness and sharpness of Beterbiev following knee surgery. It could be the difference in a fight of fine margins.

Prediction: Bivol to beat Beterbiev on points

Eubank Jr v Szeremeta (Middleweight)

Only a few months ago, Chris Eubank Jr was in talks to fight unified super-middleweight champion Canelo. The Mexican instead chose Edgar Berlanga as his opponent.

With all due respect to Kamil Szeremeta, the Polish veteran is not quite the same challenge or household name, and Eubank is widely expected to comfortably win. The British fighter will hope ring-rust is not an issue having not fought for 13 months since avenging his loss to Liam Smith and will want to impress on his first appearance in a Riyadh Season show.

Szeremeta has only been beaten twice and both by knockout against top-tier opponents – Gennady Golovkin and Jaime Munguia – and Eubank will want to make a similar statement.

Prediction: Eubank to beat Szeremeta by late stoppage

Wardley v Clarke (Heavyweight)

If this rematch is anything like their first fight in March, it has the potential to steal the show in Riyadh. Fabio Wardley, the British and Commonwealth champion, and former Olympic bronze medalist Frazer Clarke fought to a thrilling draw in London seven months ago.

Wardley had the early advantage with his power and sent Clarke to the canvas in the fifth round, but the challenger and his superior skills took charge for the second half of the bout, resulting in a deserved tie.

Both fighters insist they will leave nothing to chance this time around and have vowed to stop the other inside the distance. It’s such a close fight to call, and the bookmakers agree, making Wardley the marginal favorite.

Wardley and Clarke are still relative pro novices; Wardley has fought 18 fights and a handful of white-collar bouts, while Clarke – an accomplished amateur – is only nine fights into his pro career. It means both fighters should have plenty of room for improvement and will hope further progress has been made since the first fight.

Prediction: Clarke to beat Wardley on points

Opetaia v Massey (IBF Cruiserweight Title)

Jai Opetaia makes the first defense of his second reign as the IBF’s cruiserweight world champion against European champion Jack Massey.

The brooding Australian had hoped his next fight would be for a unified title, but his unsuccessful pursuit of WBO title holder Chris Billam-Smith instead led to an intriguing challenge against Massey. The British fighter is coming off an impressive win over Isaac Chamberlain and competed well against Joseph Parker on his heavyweight debut last year.

But Opetaia is viewed as the big dog of the cruiserweight division and the unbeaten champion will be determined to let his quality shine through.

Prediction: Opetaia to beat Massey on points

Whittaker v Cameron (Light-Heavyweight)

Ben Whittaker may only be eight fights into his pro career, but he is building a global reputation and massive social media following for his showboating and extravagant boxing style.

Don’t let the flicks and tricks fool you, though; Olympic silver medalist Whittaker can really fight and he should have far too much for the experienced but limited Cameron.

Prediction: Whittaker to beat Cameron by knockout

Nicolson v Chapman (WBC Featherweight Title)

History will be made on Saturday night when the first women’s world title fight takes place as Skye Nicolson defends her WBC featherweight title against Raven Chapman.

The champion and challenger both take unbeaten records into the ring, and with a combined three stoppages from 20 fights, we can expect this one to go the distance.

Nicolson is viewed as a comfortable favorite to retain her title and her greater experience at the top level should prove the difference.

Prediction: Nicolson to beat Chapman on points

Alakel v Gonzalez (Lightweight)

The opening bout of the main card will see local talent Mohammed Alakel make his professional debut in a four-round lightweight bout against Colombian novice Jesus Gonzalez, who has lost two of his five pro fights.

It can be safely assumed that Gonzalez has been chosen as Alakel’s opponent to ensure he begins his career with a victory.

Prediction: Alakel to beat Gonzalez on points

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