Today is the day fight fans have been waiting for, as one of the best fight cards in recent memory, including an incredible headline battle, finally springs into life as part of the Riyadh Season, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will do battle to be crowned the undisputed light heavyweight world champion of the world
Both are undefeated with Beterbiev, 39, walking to the ring IBF, WBC and WBO belts, while Bivol, 33, is the WBA champion.
They headline a huge fight night, with Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke's rematch, plus Chris Eubank Jr and Jai Opetaia all on the bill.
Beterbiev and Bivol seems to many a 50/50 call, but what do the experts, pundits and current and former fighter think?
DAZN News wraps up the best pundit predictions from Beterbiev vs. Bivol.
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 |
Former undisputed heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson
"I just think Beterbiev’s gonna do well. I’m a big fan of his,” said Tyson when speaking at the LF-GO press conference .
“I’m being biased, it’s not fair to ask me that question.”
Former light heavyweight champion and boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.
"What people fail to realise is that Beterbiev has been down three or four times already," said the legendary fighter.
"That's usually the weakness of the strong punchers, they don't take as good as they get. So when there's a superb puncher like Julian Jackson, Gerald McClellan took him out, Mike McCullum took him out.
"He was a big-time puncher, but these guys don't beat him on decision - they knock him out. Because he gives a good punch, but he doesn't take the best punch.
"I really think Bivol has the advantage and I'll go with him."
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Legendary trainer Teddy Atlas
"I never will rule out Beterbiev, he’s got power, he’s got character and pride, but, yeah, I got Bivol a solid favourite," Atlas told The Fight podcast.
"I think there’s a good chance he stops him late in the fight, either by cuts or by just an endless barrage of punches.
"Beterbiev is not a defensive wizard, where the referee would probably have to stop it, or his corner would have to stop it."
Ex WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew
First of all, this is a high-quality fight between two really outstanding boxers,” said Bellew when speaking exclusively to DAZN News.
Picking the winner is so difficult as each man has several ways to win and there’s a few scenarios that could play out.
The one I keep saying is Bivol building an early lead, but Beterbiev just applying nonstop pressure and eventually stopping Bivol in the later rounds.
DAZN boxing presenter Ade Oladipo
I'm taking Bivol all the way. I just love him too much to go against him right now.
This is the fight of the year. This is number one against number two. Number three is just no way near these too.
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Former world champion Regis Prograis
I think Beterbiev. Only because when I was younger I sparred with him and the dude is a monster, told Boxing News.
Sparring with him four rounds is like sparring for 20 rounds. He is just a killer
Heavyweight boxer Otto Wallin
Speaking to people in the gym, around my city, they are asking me who will win. But it is 50/50 for me.
It will be a great fight, that's what I'm sure of.
Light-heavyweight Lyndon Arthur
I’ve been in with both of them. I was sparring Beterbiev. It’s not the same as a fight, but the punches he throws to be able to take them with 10-ounce gloves at the pace he brings them and the resilience he comes into the ring with, it’s going to be hard for Bivol to keep him off.
Bivol, it’s his combination punching, his distancing, and the way he gets in range. Before you know it, he’s there.
Beterbiev, it’s his relentless and his ability to come forward.
Ex WBC light heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Gvozdyk
My message to Bivol, don’t let him [Beterbiev] punch you and work your [backside] hard,” Gvozdyk told Round Eight Boxing.
Run away because it’s not a good idea to stay against the ropes against him.
Former light-heavyweight world champion Clinton Woods
The thing I love about this fight is that it’s two guys at the very top of their game, Woods told SportsBoom
What makes it so intriguing is that the only light-heavyweight on the planet right now who can beat Beterbiev is Bivol. And the only one who can beat Bivol is Beterbiev.
For me, though, the more I think about it, I’m edging towards Bivol. Why? I’m just going with that old saying: ‘A good boxer will always beat a good puncher.’
Former two-weight world champion Tim Bradley
Tough fight. I’m going to say 50-50, said Bradley when speaking to Boxing News.
“I’ve always favoured Bivol, but he’ll have to fight a perfect fight to keep Beterbiev off of him.”
Two-time world champion Shawn Porter
Bivol wins this fight. He has youth on his side, said Porter when speaking to Boxing News
Beterbiev is a big truck and has been clashing again and again with other big trucks. Eventually that takes its toll and catch up with you.
Bivol has less milage than Beterbiev, so that takes it for me.
Super-middleweight world champion 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.
Trainer Tony Sims
This is a great fight and I am looking forward to watching it. It is so tough to call.
I'd learn towards Beterbiev because of his punching power and that showing late in the fight.
Bivol has all the ability in the world. It is a 50/50 fight
Trainer Joe Gallagher
You can't really pick a winner in this one.
At the moment I am going for Bivol on points, but if Beterbiev lands then it is goodnight.
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.
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