On Saturday, October 12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, boxing fans will witness a highly anticipated showdown between WBC, WBO, and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA titleholder Dmitry Bivol. The two light heavyweight champions will battle to unify all four major 175-pound belts in what promises to be an explosive clash (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET).
Originally scheduled for June 1, this fight was postponed after Beterbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus and underwent knee surgery. Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs), rather than waiting for the rescheduled bout, stayed active and faced Malik Zinad on the original date, securing a sixth-round TKO victory—his only stoppage win in his last 10 fights.
Fans can catch this monumental fight on ESPN+ as part of Top Rank Boxing’s exclusive coverage. The event is set for Saturday, October 12, at 6 p.m. ET, with both fighters battling for the undisputed light heavyweight championship.
Betting Odds Breakdown:
Dmitry Bivol: -135 favorite
Artur Beterbiev: +110 underdog
Oddsmakers currently favor Bivol, giving him a 57% chance to emerge victorious, while Beterbiev is seen as a 43% underdog. Bivol initially opened as a -140 favorite, with odds shifting to -150, while Beterbiev opened at +120.
The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds in the light heavyweight division, meaning both fighters must make the 175-pound weight limit at the weigh-in.
Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs): Known for his relentless power, Beterbiev holds the unique distinction of being boxing’s only current champion with a 100% knockout ratio. He has been a light heavyweight champion since November 2017 and unified three belts in a dominant second-round TKO win over Joe Smith Jr. in June 2022. Beterbiev has defended his titles successfully twice since that victory.
This fight will determine the undisputed light heavyweight champion, with The Ring, WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA belts all on the line. Fans can expect fireworks when these two undefeated fighters meet in Riyadh for boxing supremacy.