Artur Beterbiev and Dimitry Bivol will finally meet next month to crown the undisputed light-heavyweight world champion.
The showdown between two of boxing’s best is one of the most anticipated fights of the year after being marred by delays.
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol is arguably the best fight in boxing todayMark Robinson/Matchroom
The pair were due to meet in June after months of build-up only to be postponed due to Beterbiev suffering a ruptured meniscus.
Bivol 22-0 (11 KOs) instead successfully defended his WBA light-heavyweight titles by stopping Malik Zinad in the sixth round.
He will now return to Saudi Arabia for the undisputed clash with Beterbiev, who boasts the IBF, WBC and WBO championships.
Beterbiev 20-0 (20 KOs) last fought in January when he finished Callum Smith after also KOing fellow Brit Anthony Yarde last year.
The Russians will headline a stacked card that includes Chris Eubank Jr’s return and Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke.
Beterbiev vs Bivol: Date and how to follow
This huge 12-round undisputed title bout will take place on Saturday, October 12.
It will be held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but timings for the fight and ringwalks are yet to be confirmed.
The fight is expected to be shown live on TNT Sports and DAZN in the UK but full broadcast details have not yet been announced.
In the US, it’s set to be shown on ESPN+ as a one-off non-PPV event.
However, American fans will have to pay $14.99 for the rest of the card.
Fans can sign up to TNT Sports and discovery+ here. More details on how to sign up to DAZN can be found here.
talkSPORT will have live updates throughout fight week, while talkSPORT.com will provide the best of the reaction as well.
It will be a huge night of boxing with Beterbiev vs Bivol having a stacked undercardMark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
Beterbiev vs Bivol: Undercard
Subject to change…
MAIN EVENT: Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol – for IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO light heavyweight titles
Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey – for IBF cruiserweight title
Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke
Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta – for IBO middleweight title
Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman – for WBC featherweight title
Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron
Mohammaed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez
Eubank Jr will be back for the first time since beating Liam Smith last yearGetty
Beterbiev vs Bivol: What has been said?
Bivol has shared his delight at receiving high praise from light-heavyweight legend Roy Jones Jr, who tipped him to beat Beterbiev.
Jones Jr said: “No, it’s not a 50/50 fight.
“One, Beterbiev is 39 years old, Beterbiev has been down, Bivol has never been down. So, it’s not a 50/50.
“Beterbiev has got everything to show me to bring it back to a 50/50 fight. Right now, Bivol has the advantage 60/40.”
And Bivol said: “It means a lot to me to be honest, because Roy Jones is one of my favourite fighters; Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones, Mike Tyson and [Muhammad] Ali – they are [on a different level], for me. At one period in my life, they were just idols.
“Now he is giving me the chance that I could win, it is amazing for me to be honest.
“It gives me more confidence.”
