Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will put their titles on the line when they meet in an undisputed light heavyweight title fight as part of Riyadh Season on tonight. DAZN Pay-Per-View and can be purchased now by clicking here.
The former will bring his IBF, WBC and WBO titles to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, against a rival who holds the final piece of the division crown with the WBA belt.
Not only will the pair defend their unbeaten records, they will do so atop a stacked and exciting fight card filled with the likes of Fabio Wardley, Frazer Clarke, Chris Eubank Jr. and more.
But when only one can walk away on the right side of history, just which man will be the one to step up and write their name in the bright lights?
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol.
When is the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight?
The fight is set to take place on Saturday, October 12, as the pair meet with their combined four titles on the line.
The main undercard, with the likes of Chris Eubank Jr, Fabio Wardley, Frazer Clarke and Ben Whittaker all in action, will begin around 5pm UK time, 12pm ET, and 9am PT, which will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN. Beterbiev v Bivol is set to start with the ringwalks around 11.15pm UK, 6.15pm ET, and 3.15pm PT.
- Date: Saturday, October 12
- Time: 7pm UK / 2pm ET / 11am PT
- Beterbiev v Bivol main event ringwalks (approx): 11.15pm UK / 6.15pm ET / 3.15pm PT
| 11.15pm | Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol | IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA light heavyweight titles |
| 10pm | Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke 2 | For Wardley's British heavyweight title |
| 9pm | Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey | For Opetaia's IBF cruiserweight title |
| 8pm | Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta | Middleweight |
| 7pm | Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman | For Nicolson's WBC women's featherweight title |
| 6pm | Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron | Light heavyweight |
| 5.35pm | Mohammaed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez | Lightweight |
How can I watch the Beterbiev vs. Bivol fight and what does it cost?
DAZN Pay-Per-View has the Riyadh Season: Beterbiev vs. Bivol event live and in full. The full undercard will be show in over 200 countries including the UK, USA and Canada; while the Beterbiev-Bivol main event will be broadcast worldwide (excluding USA and Canada). PPV sign-ups include a seven-day free trial of the DAZN platform.
The Beterbiev vs. Bivol Pay-Per-View is £19.99 for UK viewers for the whole fight card, and the undercard is available to US and Canadian viewers for $19.99. Buy now here
DAZN's broadcast team includes host Ade Oladipo, who is joined by play-by-play specialist Todd Grisham and expert commentator Chris Mannix.
The team will also feature two-time Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams, former world middleweight champion Darren Barker, as well as British boxing star – and recent opponent of Chris Eubank Jr - Liam Smith.
Additionally, former world champion Andy Lee will offer his analysis alongside Barry Jones with reporter Olivia Buzaglo rounding out the line-up.
Where will the Beterbiev-Bivol fight take place?
Beterbiev and Bivol will meet at the Kingdom Arena, located in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Built in 2023, it is the home of Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal and has been used for multiple fights since it opened its doors to the public, with a 30,000 seated capacity.
The venue has already hosted some of the biggest names in boxing, including Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. Usyk defeated Fury in the pair's undisputed bout earlier this year at Kingdom Arena, and the rematch will also be held there in December.
Who is on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight card?
The undercard is surely one of the most fascinating and entertaining put together in recent memory.
Fabio Wardley meet for the second time Frazer Clarke after delivering one of the fights of the year in their first clash. That finished in a draw, with both promising to win this time by clear knockout with Wardley's British heavyweight title on the line.
Chris Eubank Jr. has talked about future world title shots, and must see off Kamil Szeremeta to have any chance of that. While the dazzling Ben Whittaker looks to continue his rapid rise as he fights Liam Cameron.
Skye Nicolson and Raven Chapman make as the first females to fight in the Riyadh Season, as Nicolson defends her WBC women's featherweight title.
- Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol; For the IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA light heavyweight titles
- Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta; Middleweight
- Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke; For Wardley's British heavyweight title
- Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey; For Opetaia's IBF cruiserweight title
- Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron; Light heavyweight
- Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman; For Nicolson's WBC women's featherweight title
- Mohammaed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez; Lightweight
Beterbiev vs. Bivol fight week schedule
There is a whole host of events in fight week, as Beterbiev vs. Bivol and the undercard build towards Saturday night, including open workouts, the final press conference and weigh in. DAZN will be broadcasting live all fight week events, so tune in so you don't miss a moment.
- Tuesday, 8 October: Grand Arrivals Show
- Wednesday, 9 October: Open Workout
- Thursday, 10 October: Press Conference
- Friday, 11 October: Weigh in
- Saturday. 12 October: Fight night
How did Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol land this fight?
With 43 bouts, 43 wins, 32 knockouts and no losses between them, this clash has been a long time in the making for both men, who will finally meet this October.
Having been originally scheduled to fight in June as part of the Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5, a ruptured meniscus for Beterbiev ultimately saw the bout postponed.
But it was just one more match to wait for fans as these two unbeaten foes finally cross paths in the ring, having racked up a number of major victories across their careers.
With 20 fights, 20 wins and - astonishingly - 20 KOs, 39-year-old Beterbiev, enters this clash as the man with the most to lose, thanks to his three belts.
It was 2017 when he earned his first world title, taking the vacant IBF belt with a knockout over Enrico Kölling, before adding the WBC two years later against Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
(Getty Images)
A comprehensive second-round demolition job on Joe Smith Jr. saw him pick up the WBO in 2022, leaving him with just Bivol to conquer.
Mandatory fights against Anthony Yarde and Callum Smith have delayed this dream bout, followed by that injury too, but Beterbiev will at last get his wish.
33-year-old Bivol, meanwhile, took the IBO title against Lyndon Arthur in late 2023, having previously held the WBA (Super) crown since 2019.
He whetted his appetite in Beterbiev's absence with a sixth-round KO against Malik Zinad in Riyadh in June, and now will bid to become the undisputed champion too.
Beterbiev vs. Bivol - Who is the favourite and what are the betting odds?
How well-matched Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are is reflected in the betting, with the feeling it is very close to call. With DAZN BET Beterbiev is 11/10 to be declared the winner, while Bivol is 3/4 to have his hand raised in victory. The draw is 16/1.
In terms of method of victory, Beterbiev, 39, is 7/4 to win by knockout, TKO or disqualification, while Bivol is 6/1. For a winner declared by decision, Beterbiev is 6/1 and 33-year-old Bivol sits at 23/20.
*Odds correct of October 11
For full DAZN BET odds and offers for the whole Beterbiev-Bivol fight card, click here.
Beterbiev vs. Bivol - the key numbers and stats
Here are just some of the key figures and facts to keep in mind of before this blockbuster battle.
23: The number of professional bouts Bivol has fought, with a 23-0 record and 12 KOs.
20: The amount of KOs Beterbiev has scored across his career - one in each of his 20 professional fights.
12: The only time Beterbiev has reached the 12th round of a fight was against Enrico Kölling in 2017, having finished every other bout earlier.
1: The number of times Beterbiev has been knocked down, coming in the second round of his victory over Callum Johnson in 2018.
Did you know?
- Beterbiev has secured 12 of his 20 knockout victories inside the first half of the scheduled fight length, compared to nine for Bivol.
- Bivol is one of only two men to defeat Canelo Alvarez, with the other being Floyd Mayweather Jr., when he downed the Mexican in 2022.
- Beterbiev has fought only slightly more than half as many rounds as Bivol, with 98 to 190.
What are the fighters saying?
Beterbiev has been complimentary towards his opponent in the build-up, addressing him as a "good boxer" in an interview with The Stomping Ground .
"He has good experience in amateur and professional," he added. "He holds one belt. I’m always respecting my opponents and future opponents."
Bivol however is just happy to finally have a shot at an undisputed battle, highlighting that many great fighters never get the chance across their careers.
"It's a lot, but I'm thankful that I have this opportunity," he also told The Stomping Ground . Some really good boxers, they don't have this opportunity in five or six years."
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
What about the promoters?
Bivol's promoter, Matchroom maestro Eddie Hearn, feels that his fighter is the marginal favourite, but acknowledged he would face a daunting task to bring down Beterbiev.
"It’s a very tough fight," he told Boxing News . "I believe [Bivol is] a slight favourite in the fight because I feel, skill-wise, he’s a better fighter than Artur Beterbiev.
"We’ve seen time and time again that Artur can sometimes lose rounds, but he just hunts you down."
Read more : Eddie Hearn outlines favourite for Beterbiev-Bivol clash
Beterbiev vs. Bivol expert predictions
Former light heavyweight champiom Roy Jones Jr
"That's a very, very good fight, if I didn't know that they had sparred before I would pick Bivol. Because Beterbiev is a puncher, and if he can hit Bivol, he'll knock him out for sure.
"Because to me, Beterbiev is one of the best pound-for-pound punchers this game has ever seen. If he can hurt Bivol with his punches, if he can catch him then he has a chance.
Former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman
“Artur Beterbiev has excellent boxing skills. Nobody has brought it out yet because his power is so devastating. That rules everything.
"Bivol, if he makes Beterbiev box, he’ll beat him. He’s a better fighter. I do think Bivol has better footwork, but I think Beterbiev has the ability to cut the ring off and make him fight.
Super-middleweight David Benavidez
“I think Bivol has a slight edge, but I don’t know,” said Bivol when discussing the fight with Pro Boxing Fans.
“It’s a 50-50 fight. It’s going to be a great fight, but I think Bivol might take off with a victory."
IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia
"I keep going back and forth, I’m always leaning towards Bivol," Opetaia told The Stomping Ground.
"Beterbiev is a great fighter, I’m just leaning towards Bivol because I respect the footwork."
Two-weight world champion Tim Bradley
“My original pick, before Beterbiev needed surgery, was a Bivol win. He has better footwork, defense, an incredible jab, and sharp counters.
“If he can keep the fight in the center of the ring, without being too stationary for Beterbiev's midrange to inside attacks, he should win. However, it's easier said than done. But I will go with Bivol.”
Watch Beterbiev vs. Bivol on DAZN
Watch Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol and the full fight card on October 12 on DAZN Pay-Per-View, which includes Fabio Wardley, Frazer Clark, Chris Eubank Jr, Jai Opetaia, Ben Whittaker and Skye Nicolson all fighting.
The PPV is priced at £19.99 for UK viewers to watch on any device, including Smart TV's, game consoles, phones, tablets and PC's. To purchase and find the prices in your region click here.
Purchasing the PPV includes a seven-day free trial of all of DAZN's programming across a range of sports.
DAZN is the home of boxing, showing over 150 fights a year, broadcasting a variety of boxing programming - press conferences, weigh-ins, exclusive interviews, documentaries and much more - week in, week out, 52 weeks a year from all around the world, in all divisions, at all levels.