Following Artur Beterbiev’s destruction of Callum Smith this past weekend, the path is now clear for an undisputed battle with Dmitry Bivol and Tim Bradley has predicted it, saying that one man will ‘have to fight a perfect fight’ to win.
Despite being 38 and coming off a long layoff due to a serious dental issue, Beterbiev put on another fearsome performance in his native Canada against Smith.
He came out of the blocks fast and put pressure on Smith that by the seventh round was too much. Smith hit the canvas, and though he rose again he was pulled out by his corner and saved from more hurt.
Waiting in the wings is Bivol, owner of the WBA belt that Beterbiev is keen to add to his WBO, WBC and IBF titles in a light heavyweight contest that is hugely appealing.
He was most recently out against Lyndon Arthur on the Day of Reckoning card in Saudi Arabia and last year and has also beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez in impression fashion.
Speaking to Boxing News, Bradley was asked to call the undisputed fight, but couldn’t.
“Tough fight. I’m going to say 50-50.”
He then admitted he had previously backed Bivol to win but now sees it as a closer contest that will require the best of the Russian, while George Groves has come down in support in Beterbiev.
“I’ve always favoured Bivol but Bivol is going to have to fight a perfect fight to keep Beterbiev off of him.”
Beterbiev’s promoter Bob Arum predicts the fight will happen this summer in Saudi Arabia.