Mike Tyson has picked a side in this weekend’s undisputed light-heavyweight clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Fights don’t come more 50/50 than this one, with boxing fans worldwide waiting to see if Bivol’s footwork and focus can make him the first man able to nullify the raw power and calculated attacks of knockout artist Beterbiev.
Both men have systematically beaten all comers in the 175 ranks, leaving no doubt that they are a level above the rest. After years of politics preventing the bout as well as a three-month postponement, the two champions – Beterbiev the WBA, WBO and IBF, Bivol the WBA – will step through the ropes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this coming Saturday.
There are many factors at play when it comes to picking a winner, not least Beterbiev’s recent injury. The 39-year-old suffered a ruptured meniscus in training camp for the original June 1 date. Meanwhile, Bivol remained active, scoring his first stoppage in nine fights against Malik Zinad.
Beterbiev has dismissed any talk that he isn’t 100% for the fight, thus many predictions are coming down to who those making the pick like best. That certainly was the case with former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
At a press conference for the product LF*GO! of which ‘Iron’ Mike is an ambassador, he praised Beterbiev and backed him to win.
“Woo. 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 fight, branded ‘Four Crown Showdown’, tops the bill after an undercard featuring the likes of Chris Eubank Jr, Jai Opetaia, Skye Nicolson versus Raven Chapman – the first female world title fight in Saudi – and the British Heavyweight Title rematch between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke.