Potential Major Boxing Event in Russia This Summer
3KingsBoxing has learned preliminary discussions have taken place for a unification showdown between IBF/WBC World Light Heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) and WBA World “Super” Light Heavyweight titleholder Dmitry Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs).
According to Russian international television network RT, the goal of Top Rank boss Bob Arum (promoter of Beterbiev) is to stage a fight between these two world champions this summer.
Interest for this bout is said to be high in Russia. With Beterbiev and Bivol both being Russian, the Boxing Federation of Russia wants to host a unification fight between the two at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg in August.
The discussions are in the early stages and a lot has to be sorted out between Arum and Eddie Hearn (promoter of Bivol) for this fight to happen.
Plus, each fighter has other business to tend to in the ring. For the 35-year-old IBF/WBC champion, he has an upcoming mandatory defense against the IBF’s #1 Light Heavyweight contender, Meng Fanlong (16-0, 10 KOs) on March 28 in Quebec City, Canada. For Bivol, he’s looking to return to the ring in mid-April with Hearn targeting either Badou Jack or former WBO World Super Middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez.
A FIGHT AS BIG AS THEY COME
Should Beterbiev – Bivol eventually take place, it would be good for all parties involved. The 29-year-old Bivol has openly campaigned for a big fight at either 175 or 168-pounds. What would be better than a showdown against a unified champion within his division?
When it comes to Beterbiev, this would further stake a claim that he’s the best in the division. Last time we saw him in action, he scored a 10th round stoppage win over Oleksandr Gvozdyk in October 2019 to unify the IBF and WBC titles. On an apex in his career right now, the train would keep rolling with a fight against Bivol.
For the country of Russia, this would be huge. A unification fight on domestic soil would be a tremendous event with implications that spell big money. Be clear, this would be the biggest boxing event in ages.
And best of all, Beterbiev – Bivol is one of the best fights that could be made. This is a great clash of styles between the hard-punching pressure fighter (Beterbiev) and the highly-skilled, smooth craftsman (Bivol). In short, this a mouth-watering match for boxing fans.
Given that Arum, as well as the Boxing Federation of Russia, has publicly expressed interest in a Russian unification showdown, you’d have to think this is more than just talk. In short, there seems to be some meat on this bone.
This should have all boxing fans excited, and let’s pray this is more than just mere talk. Keep in touch with 3KingsBoxing for any further developments on this potential juicy fight.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
