Bivol to face Arthur on Day of Reckoning Card as Beterbiev showdown looms
It's King Arthur before KO King Artur for Dmitry Bivol
WBA light heavyweight champion, Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11KOs), will look to defend his belt against Lyndon Arthur (23-1, 16KOs) on a stacked card in Saudi Arabia.
‘The Day of Reckoning’ is being hailed as one of the biggest boxing events of all time. The card is full of PPV main event fighters, with Joshua, Wilder, Dubois and Bivol all taking to the ring, just to name a few.
The night will mark Bivol’s 11th title defence and appears to be a step down in opposition for the Russian fighter. Bivol’s last two fights have been against incredible opponents and the positive results have led many to believe he has earned a place amongst the top pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.
Bivol’s last fight took place just over a year ago when he handed Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez his first professional loss in a dominant decision victory. Only six months before, boxing megastar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez had been doomed to the same fate.
The Russian’s soviet-style has garnered the attention of fans all over the world. His lightning-quick footwork and precision punching have enabled him to walk through some of the toughest opponents boxing has to offer with relative ease. There is an elegance to his fighting. He is efficient and economical, not wasting any punches, and hitting hard when the opportunity arises. A master of range and subduing his opponents, Bivol has made some of the greatest fighters in the world look like novices when sharing the ring with them.
Facing Lyndon Arthur seems nothing more than a tune-up fight. After a year out of the ring and a date with Beterbiev appearing imminent, it is important for Bivol to shake off any ring-rust and resume activity if he is truly serious about unifying the belts.
It is near impossible to imagine a scenario where Bivol does not come out on top. That being said, boxing is perhaps the most unpredictable sport, and Arthur will be hoping to use this to his advantage and cause what could be one of the biggest upsets in light heavyweight history.
Arthur currently has one defeat to his record, occurring when he rematched Anthony Yarde in his second WBO Intercontinental title defence. With 16 knockouts the Mancunian boxer possesses an explosive power that is often overlooked. Arthur is coming off the back of a stoppage decision win and will look to carry this form forward to December.
However, it will prove a challenge to land anything meaningful on a fighter as elusive and masterful as his Russian opponent.
Arthur is best known for having one of the best jabs at 175lbs. He dismantled Yarde in their first meeting, hammering jabs through the Briton’s guard, and coming away with a split-decision upset. Despite great performances in the past from Arthur, he has not faced anyone possessing anything close to the talent of Bivol. It seems a one-sided affair, yet it will be interesting to see how Bivol deals with Arthur’s jab-happy left hand. Both these boxers have exceptional jabs, but one is on a higher level than the other.
Assuming a win from the Russian, it would be safe to assume a Light heavyweight showdown between the only two world champions will take place in the near future. A chance to become the first undisputed 175-pound champion in the four-belt era.
There have been rumours of a 2024 showdown circulating, but nothing has been confirmed. Beterbiev will also have to make it through his next opponent, WBC mandatory challenger, Callum Smith.
Both champions making it through their title defences could lead to an exciting clash, and the first undisputed champion since the legendary Roy Jones Jr.
Betting Odds
1/16 Bivol
9/1 Arthur
14/1 Draw
Prediction
Bivol to box masterfully in a one-sided contest that ends in a knockout from rounds 7-12.
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