IBF/WBC/WBO mild heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev isn’t targeted on attempting to attain a knockout over WBA champ Dmitry Bivol heading into their June 1st struggle on ESPN in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) desires to get the victory to seize the WBA belt from Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs), and if he has to go the complete 12-round distance to do this, he’s prepared.
That stated, Beterbiev wish to knock out the unbeaten 32-year-old Bivol if the chance arises. Bivol vs. Beterbiev is headlining on ESPN on the Kingdom Area in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The struggle was a very long time coming. They waited 5 years earlier than the Saudis lastly stepped in to make it a actuality. With out them, it’s questionable whether or not the Bivol-Beterbiev struggle would have ever fought, not that Beterbiev didn’t wish to.
Age Not a Concern for the Champion
“It’s vital, yeah, however I’m not in search of that,” stated Artur Beterbiev to the media when requested if it’s vital for him to knockout Dmitry Bivol on June 1st in Saudi Arabia.
It will likely be tough for Beterbiev to cease Bivol as a result of he’s a mover who doesn’t keep within the pocket like many of the opponents he’s confronted. Beterbiev might probably cease Bivol if he backs as much as the ropes and shells up, which he tends to do loads in his fights.
“We’ll see. I’m not previous, 39 solely. I’m not previous,” stated Beterbiev when requested if Bivol is catching you on the proper time. “I consider I’ll put together 100%, however I can’t say I’ll do one thing,” stated Beterbiev on whether or not he’ll knockout Bivol.
Some followers consider Bivol has deliberately waited till Beterbiev has aged and slowed down slightly earlier than lastly displaying curiosity in combating him. Nonetheless, it’s the Saudis who wished this struggle, and if that they had been round within the final 5 years to supply Bivol large cash to struggle Beterbiev, he would have finished so.
Bivol’s Mindset a Thriller
“Ask him, however he’ll by no means inform the reality,” stated Beterbiev on whether or not Bivol might be ‘scared’ of him on struggle night time. “In fact, it’s at all times completely different. The struggle is completely different. You’re making ready completely different,” stated Beterbiev when requested if he’s bringing one thing completely different for this struggle.
This isn’t the primary time that Beterbiev has talked about Bivol not telling the reality. He feels that he’s not at all times truthful in what he says about why the 2 haven’t fought up to now.
“I’m not studying [studying] him for a very long time. I’ve simply watched a few his fights first time. We simply began to be taught him. We are going to put together,” stated Beterbiev when requested if he’s been watching Bivol’s fights.
