World title challenger Lyndon Arthur 23-1 (16) believes WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol 21-0 (11) will have the measure of WBC, WBO and IBF counterpart Artur Beterbiev 19-0 (19) if they ever fought.
Kyrgyzstan-born Russian Bivol, 33, has long been linked to a fight with Russian-born Canadian Beterbiev, 38, with fight fans remaining hopeful the enthralling matchup can be made in 2024.
To keep the undisputed 17-pound world title fight alive between the two defeated champions, Bivol will need to defeat Britain’s Arthur, 32, on the massive ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Saturday night, while Beterbiev will have to turn back the challenge of Callum Smith 29-1 (21) in Quebec City in Canada on January 13.
The ‘Day of Reckoning’ card was put together very quickly with all 16 boxers featured having only around six weeks to prepare.
“It is what it is. If somebody comes up to you in the street and says ‘Lets fight’ you don’t get ten weeks. That’s how I’ve looked at it. We’re here now. Let’s just do it,” Arthur said this week.
“I was a fan of [Bivol], I’m a fan of him still and I’ll be a fan of him after it. He’s one of the best pound-for-pound fighters, why should I say no to that? Why should I not challenge that? That’s what we’re in boxing for. Let’s do it.
“I’ve got a plan in my head but on Saturday it might be a bit different when you get in there and shit don’t work. Bivol’s a great operator but I believe I am also and I believe I’ll adapt to whatever’s in the ring. We’ll find out Saturday.”
Bivol says he is expecting a tough challenge from Arthur, adding that he is confident his Saudi backers can get the Beterbiev fight made.
“I saw Arthur’s fights versus Anthony Yarde and saw his last fight versus [Braian] Suarez,” Bivol told ESPN. “I could tell he uses his jab and tries to counterpunch with his right hand.
“Counterpunchers are dangerous because you don’t see the punches, so I have to be very careful against him. I need to be focused all fight, and treat him seriously.
“I think that when we signed the contract to fight Arthur, Saudi Arabia said it wanted to see my future fight with Beterbiev there. I believe it can happen. I have to win this fight to keep moving forward to my goal of becoming undisputed world champion.”
Arthur has little doubt who would win a fight between Bivol and his former sparring partner Beterbiev, who has knocked out every opponent he has faced.
“I got asked a while ago who I thought would win between Bivol and Beterbiev,” Arthur said. “I always thought that the better boxer would always beat the better fighter.
“I’ve sparred Beterbiev and he’s not just a brawler. He’s not just a strong, come forward fighter. He’s actually got a boxing brain and he’s good at what he does, but I do believe Bivol has got the better boxing ability and would come through if they ever fought.”
