Dmitry Bivol, winner of Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canello’ Alvarez, wants to unite the light heavyweight division against the winner of Saturday’s clash between Arthur Beterbiev and Joe Smith Jr.
Originally from Canada and now based in Canada, Beterbiev fights American Smith at the Madison Square Garden Theater on Saturday, live Sky Sportsfor three of the four major light heavyweight titles.
Buffalo defended its WBA title in May thanks to a spectacular victory against Alvarez. Now he is striving to become the undisputed champion of 175 pounds and is waiting to face the winner Beterbiev-Smith in the battle for the four belts.
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Artur Beterbiev will hope to unleash his fierce attacks on Joe Smith Jr. in their huge unifying battle in the light heavyweight division.
This was said by Bivol’s promoter Andrei Ryabinski Sky Sports“We like both fighters [Beterbiev and Smith] a lot.
“Buffalo would be extremely interested in fighting against the winner of this match, especially if the winner is Artur Beterbiev.
The fight between Bivol-Beterbiev is a long-awaited dream of all boxing fans.
Both Bivol and Beterbiev are struggling to prove themselves as a top in the light heavyweight division in the world today. Buffalo has held the WBA belt for five years and overtook Smith in 2019. However, Beterbiev is one of the most feared drummers in the sport. A world-class amateur champion, he combined the WBC and IBF titles in a series of 17 wins by knockout as a pro.
While Smith will be a tough and tough challenge for him, Beterbiev hopes to add the WBO American title to his collection on Saturday.
A bad cut did not stop Artur Beterbiev from defeating Marcus Brown. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS / Peter McCabe)
Top Rank has promoted the upcoming Beterbiev-Smith merger, and company president Todd DuBoff has confirmed that they will strive to lead the undisputed fight for the winner.
“Over the years, we’ve been talking about a battle between Bivol and Beterbiev. When things got locked up during Covid and everything was paralyzed, it didn’t get very far,” DuBoff said. Sky Sports. “I think this sweat got bigger as a result of the appearance of Buffalo, who came out of nowhere with great frustration.
“I think this division obviously got a little boost when Buffalo upset Canello.”
Joe Smith Jr. holds the WBO light heavyweight title. (Photo: Mikey Williams / Top Rank)
But there will be many options for the winner in this battle. “You have a man, Anthony Yard, from the woods [the UK] this is a mandatory contender for this [WBO title]. So it will be thrown into the mixture. Buffalo is obviously in the mix and you have guys like [former super-middleweight titlist] “Gilberto Ramirez and things like that,” DuBoff said. I think there are really a lot of games in this division now. “
Both Beterbiev and Smith have everything to fight for on Saturday. “Obviously Bivol has the victory over Joe Smith,” the promoter continued. “It looked like a victory, but in those late rounds, Joe almost knocked it out. And that’s how dangerous Joe is.
“I think the winner of this [Beterbiev-Smith] the battle will be standing over the other person because I think this battle will end in a knockout. I think you have two great blows that can withstand and that will be the real test. “
Watch Artur Beterbiev vs. Joe Smith Jr. live on Sky Sports from 2.30am on Sunday morning.
