Boxing fans simply want the best to fight the best. Oftentimes injuries, retirements, or boxing politics get in the way and the waiting game becomes frustrating. Recently, however, dreams have become a reality with Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia and Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford. The trend will hopefully continue into 2024.
On January 13, Artur Beterbiev defends the IBF, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight titles against Callum Smith at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City. If Beterbiev can get past Smith, then he will have a clear path to facing Dmitry Bivol, the WBA light heavyweight champion, in an undisputed title fight.
WATCH: Beterbiev vs. Smith, LIVE on ESPN+
One reason this fight hasn’t happened is the WBC’s stance on not sanctioning bouts with Russian boxers due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the Saudi government, which is putting on high-profile cards throughout Riyadh Season, seems confident that they can overcome this obstacle.
Needless to say, Beterbiev vs. Bivol would be an amazing matchup for fight fans, but is it too late?
WATCH: Beterbiev vs. Smith, LIVE on ESPN+
Is it too late for Artur Beterviev vs. Dmitry Bivol?
At 38, Beterbiev may not have lost a fight, but he could be slowing down. The Russian star suffered a jaw infection recently and he had an injury going into the Anthony Yarde fight.
A lot of fans and experts believe that Beterviev will have his work cut out for him against Smith. After all, the 33-year-old Englishman is a former WBA and Ring Magazine champion at super middleweight, he punches extremely hard, and he's motivated to cause the upset.
Yes, Beterbiev has a 100% knockout ratio, but it hasn’t been an easy run for him in his last few fights. He landed 136 of 334 shots against Anthony Yarde in his previous outing. However, Yarde landed 38% of his power punches, a rarity for a Beterbiev opponent. The champion had to dig deep in order to get that win.
Bivol, 33, underwent a surgical procedure on his right hand last year. However, following 13 months out of action, it did look like he was back to his dominant ways when he broke down Lyndon Arthur on the Day of Reckoning fight card.
Regardless, Beterbiev is becoming impatient.
“I hope we’re gonna fight in 2024,” he told Boxing Scene. “But now, it’s 2023, and I think he talk about he’s gonna fight me the last four or five years. He always talk about it... only talk. I hope one day he’s finished his talking, and he will fight with me. I don’t know, but he’s always talking. For the last four years, we did two unification fights, but he didn’t.”
MORE: Who is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world?
Bivol also had his doubts about whether the fight would happen but was quite positive in a recent interview.
“Before, I couldn’t see who could make this fight,” Bivol told Boxing Scene. “I had asked my manager, ‘I wanna fight with Beterbiev. Who could make this fight?’ He’s like, ‘I don’t know who could make this fight because you are not popular enough, you and Beterbiev, to make this fight happen. And you have your contract with Matchroom, and he has his contract with Top Rank. It’s hard now to make it.’ But now I see that the Saudis could make it, of course.”
Outside of Beterbiev, Bivol was offered a fight against Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. He rejected that deal to focus on the light heavyweight division. There's also Canelo Alvarez, who has had revenge on his mind since Bivol beat him in 2022.
Given the enticing matchups that are on the table, Beterviev vs. Bivol might be reaching hourglass status. Beterbiev must get past Smith and then work on the WBC. If the former happens, there is a clear path to getting what fans have been craving.
