Highlights
- Light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will face off in Saudi Arabia on June 1, fulfilling the dreams of boxing enthusiasts.
- Beterbiev has a perfect record, with every victory achieved by stoppage, while Bivol is known for his tactical prowess and undefeated record of 22-0.
- The event will also feature a "five-versus-five" card, showcasing rival British promoters Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions, promising an unforgettable night of boxing.
The much-anticipated matchup between light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, a dream for boxing enthusiasts, is now a reality. The scheduled bout is slated for June 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as announced by Turki Alalshikh during a segment on The MMA Hour. Beterbiev, based in Canada, holds the WBC, IBF, and WBO world titles, boasting an exceptional record with every victory achieved by stoppage, making it a rare perfect record. No opponent has managed to go the distance with him.
On the other hand, WBA champion Bivol, with an undefeated record of 22-0, is recognized for his tactical prowess, often taking his fights to the judges' scorecards. Bivol has defended his world title successfully 11 times, including a noteworthy victory in May 2022 against pound-for-pound great Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
Artur Beterbiev Knocks Out Callum Smith To Retain Light Heavyweight Titles
Artur Beterviev gets his 20th knockout in 20 fights as he demolishes a brave Callum Smith.Bivol vs. Beterbiev Undercard Includes Exciting Promotional Rivalry
Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren Will Compete In Five-On-Five Contest
Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, made a significant announcement on Saturday, revealing that Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will face off on June 1 in Saudi Arabia. The event will also feature the previously disclosed "five-versus-five" card, showcasing fighters from rival British promoters Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions.
Alalshikh expressed excitement about this agreement, stating, "This type of agreement is what boxing fans have been waiting for, as the best champions worldwide are going to be a part of the five-versus-five fight night." He further mentioned that Riyadh Calendar is anticipating hosting more exciting events, promising unforgettable sports experiences for global boxing enthusiasts. The date and fight card details will be disclosed at a press conference during the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fight week in March.
Frank Warren, from Queensberry Promotions, acknowledged the challenge and described the event as one of the most intriguing in boxing, expressing gratitude to Turki Alalshikh for injecting new energy into the sport. He stated, "It's time to settle the score, who's getting the bragging rights?"
Eddie Hearn, from Matchroom Boxing, emphasized the historic rivalry between the Hearns and the Warrens, highlighting it as the most storied in the sport. Hearn appreciated the vision of Turki Alalshikh, noting that the unprecedented night of boxing in Riyadh would be etched in memory. He stated, "It’s the best against the best, and this unprecedented night of boxing in Riyadh will live long in the memory."
