Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol Predictions: Bivol is on the cusp of supremacy

WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol meets WBC/WBO/IBF counterpart Artur Beterbiev this Saturday, October 12. The undisputed title showdown takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, a venue that typically stages the game’s biggest fights these days. As is customary with these interpromotional supercards, both DAZN PPV and TNT Sports Box Office will televise the event. 

Here are my Beterbiev vs Bivol predictions ahead of one of the most anticipated fights of the year.

Like Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury before it, this is another perfectly-matched undisputed title fight in Saudi. As with that heavyweight showdown, these light heavies are both unbeaten and have carved up their division between them. Twin-rulers of a kingdom that has fallen around them. Some fights need hype and promotion to build intrigue. This isn’t one of them.

What makes this match-up so fascinating is the contrasting approaches that the fighters have used to dominate. Bivol is your master boxer. Long and rangy, he keeps opponents in check from distance. Beterbiev is a warrior of renown, a big-punching bulldozer who has knocked out every single man he has ever faced. 

Something has to give. Either Bivol’s acumen or Beterbiev’s power will ultimately win the day. While Fury and Usyk was a clash of fighters who favour technique over terror, this is an idealistic clash of approaches. The student of the game takes on the wrecking ball.

This sort of fight often errs towards the technician. A well-schooled boxer should, by all logic, be able to befuddle a brawler. But the issue here is that nothing ever seems to faze Beterbiev. You can cut him and he’ll knock you out, as Marcus Browne found out. You can hurt him, like Anthony Yarde managed, and he’ll knock you out. You can even put him on the canvas like Callum Johnson did. Beterbiev will knock you out.

Bivol can match Beterbiev in the unflappable stakes. Rarely bothered in a fight, never mind knocked down or hurt, the Russian goes about his job like a sculptor. He moulds his opponent into shapes that suit him. Beterbiev’s brutal displays are the definition of war. Bivol creates art installations with a balled fist.

A craftsman’s work often goes unnoticed. History is littered with artists whose extraordinary work was not appreciated in its time. But Bivol stepped up from his status as one for the aficionados in May 2022. 

The nickname-less champion had already racked up impressive wins over Jean Pascal, Joe Smith Jr and Craig Richards. But Bivol’s coming-out party occurred when he was chosen for Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s return to light heavyweight. It was a voyage most expected to end like the Mexican’s last visit, when he knocked out Sergey Kovalev to win the WBO belt. 

But instead, Bivol mastered ‘Canelo’ in every aspect of the sweet science. Alvarez applied pressure but Bivol would turn him around and back him up. The champion unleashed flurries of jabs, straights and hooks with ‘Canelo’ backed into the ropes. Wherever they went in the ring, Bivol would make it work to his advantage. Whether the fight was at close-quarters or at distance, the 33-year-old found a way to press his advantage. It was no surprise when Bivol took home a unanimous decision.

Bivol has been a world champion since 2017, while he has just now begun to get his flowers. Beterbiev has been higher-profile and the fact his fellow Russian has been considered the best at the weight must rankle for Bivol. Beterbiev lifted his first title in 2017 too, but has garnered more publicity due to his explosive style.

Beterbiev was built for primetime, with an all-action style that appeals to audiences looking for blood. Wars with Browne, Smith Jr, Yarde,  Callum Smith and Oleksandr Gvozdyk have helped cultivate his image as a destroyer.

There is a thought that the great bulldozer could be slowing down. Beterbiev has fought just once a year since 2021 and had to pull out of the originally-scheduled date for this bout due to a knee injury. At the age of 39, his best years are quite possibly behind him.

But the issue Bivol will have to deal with is the fact that a fighter’s punch is the last thing to go. Beterbiev was never the quickest, his stock in trade has always been brawn. Age is less likely to sap his gifts due to his style. Obviously all fighters run out of road eventually. But Beterbiev boxes in a way that is conducive to his advancing years.

Bivol is the best boxer that Beterbiev has ever faced. Beterbiev is the hardest puncher Bivol has ever faced. This fight is perfectly balanced, as all things should be. The light heavyweight division has entered its endgame.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol Fight Odds

Beterviev opens as a narrow 5/4 underdog in this mega-fight. Bivol is your 8/11 favourite while a stalemate is available at 14/1.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol Full Card

Artur Beterbiev (c) vs. Dmitry Bivol (c); IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight titles Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta; Middleweights 

Fabio Wardley (c) vs. Frazer Clarke II for the British heavyweight title 

Jai Opetaia (c) vs. Jack Massey for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles 

Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron; Light Heavyweights 

Skye Nicolson (c) vs. Raven Chapman for the WBC featherweight title 

Mohammed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol Prediction

Despite the close nature of this bout, I am steadfast in my choice here. I am convinced that Bivol has the style to beat any light heavyweight on the planet, including the great Beterbiev.

The WBA king will likely have to eat harder shots than he has ever tasted. The unified champion will not go down without one hell of a fight. But Bivol’s speed and distance fighting, as well as Beterbiev’s advancing years, will decide this one.

My prediction is Bivol to win on points at 11/10.

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