Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are no threat to break revenue records when they fight Saturday for the unified light heavyweight title. But what the two Russian-born boxers lack in box-office appeal, they make up for with talent.
Loads of talent.
Beterbiev has power – thus, the 20-0 record with 20 knockouts.
Bivol has footwork and finesse – thus the 23-0 record. While he has just 12 KOs, he does boast an upset victory over Canelo Alvarez in 2022.
Both rank as high as No. 4 and no lower than No. 7 in pound-for-pound rankings generated by The Ring, ESPN, The Sporting News and CBS Sports.
“Woo,’’ Mike Tyson told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday when asked about the fight. “I just think Beterbiev’s gonna do well. I’m a big fan of his. I’m being biased, it’s not fair to ask me that question.”
The question, of course, is who will prevail? What should be considered:
