After the press conference to finally announce the superb light heavyweight clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn made some shock comments on the fight.
This fight is one of the most anticipated of the year so far and a top-level clash between two elite fighters. All four of the major world titles will be on the line with Bivol coming off the back of wins over Gilberto Ramirez, Saul Canelo Alvarez and Lyndon Arthur in his last three fights.
Beterbiev is the only world champion with a 100% knockout ratio having stopped the likes of Callum Johnson. Callum Smith, Anthony Yarde and plenty more. Speaking to Boxing Social, Hearn revealed what he made of Beterbiev after the press conference.
“I found Beterbev a little bit arrogant. It might be the language barrier, but, you know, we’re trying to get stuff out of you to build the fight and I said to Dmitry before, smash him, come on.
“I really believe Dmitry will win, but it’s going to be a really tough night, because Beterbiev is brilliant, he’s a savage, what a fight.”
He was then asked if Bivol could stop him.
“Beterbiev has been down before, Callum Johnson had him down everybody can be hurt, but I expect Dmitry to put on a masterclass.”
Whoever comes out on top might well have the likes of David Benevidez and Canelo waiting in the wings for their own shot at the belts, while the undercard for the fight was also revealed in full yesterday.