Light-heavyweight title contender Lyndon Arthur has revealed that his fight with Dmitry Bivol last month has caused him to changed his mind on how the hotly-anticipated undisputed title clash between Bivol and Artur Beterbiev may play out.
Arthur proved to be a valiant opponent for the WBA champion on the Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin undercard despite being whitewashed on all three cards and picking up a second career loss.
That win for the Russian and Beterbiev’s knockout of Callum Smith earlier this month has set the champions up for a showdown in Saudi Arabia, that is likely to take place in June and has the world of boxing excited.
In an interview with BBTV Boxing, Arthur surprisingly indicated that he is now leaning towards Beterbiev, after feeling a lack of power in Bivol’s punches in their fight.
“I have always thought that he [Bivol] would [beat Beterbiev], I have always said that he would, but I don’t know if he hits hard enough to keep Beterbiev off [of him].
“I’ve been in with both of them, obviously not with ten-ounce gloves with Beterbiev but I’ve been in with sixteen’s, and he hasn’t got one-shot knockout power but he has got power that hurts you with every shot.
“Bivol is a very f***ing good boxer, but Beterbiev is a good boxer as well. Everyone thinks that he is just a come-forward fighter, he’s not, he’s very smart in what he does. He closes the gap well, he blocks and counters well, he is very good and I am excited for that fight.
Bivol-Beterbiev has fast-become one of the most talked about contests in the sport and Saudi catalyst Turki Alalshikh appears to have pulled it off, with Bivol claiming that he has already signed for the showdown.