It seems that all roads are leading to a second undisputed clash of the year, this time in the light heavyweight division with Artur Beterbiev versus Dmitry Bivol high up the wish list for the Saudi Arabians, and Johnny Nelson is keen to give his prediction.
This fight has been brewing for some time. Both men are unbeaten in their respective professional careers, and both men have Russian heritage.
Beterbiev is the unified champion and owner of the IBF, WBO and WBC titles. He has knocked out all 20 of his opponents including three Brits in Anthony Yarde, Callum Johnson and recently Callum Smith, who had never been on the canvas before facing ‘the beast.’
While Beterbiev is a big puncher, Bivol is a technician and stylist. It was those silky skills that saw him run out the winner against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez in his best fights to date last year.
Should the two come together it would be a mouth-watering clash, though Tim Bradley reckons Bivol will have to fight a perfect fight to win.
Nelson has spoken to Boxing Social about the fight and was asked how he sees it going.
“Great fight. Beterbiev beats Bivol. Bivol is a great fighter, world class fighter, but styles make fight. Beterbiev’s style is too tight, too compact, too consistent, and amazingly strong.
“He’s not an idiot, he’s a clever fighter, but so is Bivol. But Bivol is a little more open out of the two, and that is a minor detail. I’d go for Beterbiev.”