Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol Face Off Reveals Familiarity But Focus

Saturday night is the first time in the four belt era there will be one single undisputed light-heavyweight champion.

Not only that, it is also the biggest fight of all-time involving two Russian world champion boxers.

Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev sat down with Steve Bunce of the UK in the official face off with TNT Sports which produced a very insightful back and forth:

“So, you’re not friends, right? It’s not that you’re enemies, but you don’t really know each other. You haven’t been friends for 15 years or trained together. You’ve spent no time together, correct?

We were on the same national team, but we weren’t friends, of course. In the ring, you’re very professional. You don’t get involved in all the cheap talk or silliness.

I can sense that you want to fight him. Is that fair to say?

(Beterbiev) I don’t want to fight him; I just need another belt. I’m not focused on him as a fighter. It’s just business for you, then?

It’s not just business; I need another belt.

And what about you, Dmitry? Is it personal or just business?

Of course, it’s not personal. I’ve said before that I want to be undisputed. I want to fight for the belts, and this is my chance.

Have you ever had a fight where it was personal? Have you ever had an opponent as a professional that you didn’t like?

(Bivol) No, never. It’s just not my way. For me, boxing is just a game; it’s my life. An opponent is just an opponent—nothing personal. Every opponent has a different personality, and I don’t mix business with personal feelings.

What about you, Arthur? Have any of your 20 professional opponents been someone you didn’t like?

Of course! Before a fight, everyone says, “I don’t like him,” and I don’t like him either. Before the fight, it’s true—I don’t like him. It’s my opponent; I’m coming here to win, not to shake hands.

But you will shake hands because you’re a gentleman.

I shake hands because he offers his hand, but I’m not here to be friends.

So, it’s just about getting in the ring and fighting each other.

Exactly. He’s not my friend; he’s my opponent. He’s trying to beat me, and I’m trying to beat him. It’s very simple.

At 39, how do you stay so fresh? What’s your secret?

(Beterbiev) I don’t know; it’s normal. Maybe good food, maybe good sleep. I don’t know.

And Dmitry, do you think that at 39, this could be towards the end of Arthur’s career?

Every time I go into the ring, I think my opponent is in the best shape of his life. I don’t consider his age or how many opponents he’s beaten. I just focus on him as the best version of himself.

What do you think is Arthur’s best quality? Is it his head, his physique, his left hand, or his right hand?

He has everything, but his main attribute is power.

And Arthur, what does Dmitry do best?

I think he knows his strengths and weaknesses, and I believe he knows them well.

When you bumped into each other and shook hands, it looked like you were measuring each other up, perhaps knowing you would fight.

I felt we would fight, but when I met him, I didn’t look at him that way. I just shook hands with someone I knew from my national team during my amateur boxing days. I was polite, but I don’t know about fighting.

You have three belts, Arthur has one. Is it important to have all four belts to be considered undisputed? Does that mean a lot to you?

(Bivol) Yes, it’s a goal. It’s like a soldier wanting to be a general. That’s the same for me; I don’t need distractions.

And fight week isn’t the best time to sit you both down for an interview, is it?

Honestly, I don’t enjoy it. I like training and fighting. I understand it’s part of my job to do interviews and attend press conferences, but I prefer being in my training camp.

Arthur, do you feel the same way about this?

I have to do it because it’s my job, but I don’t enjoy it. It’s how I earn my money.

When you were growing up, when did you realize you would become a professional boxer?

I don’t remember my life without boxing. It’s always been a part of me. I felt I had to do it.

How old were you when you first walked into a gym?

I was about five and a half.

And you, Arthur? How old were you when you first walked into a gym?

About 10.

So, you’ve both been at this for over 20 years.

When you look at each other, what do you see? What kind of man do you see?

I only watch how he boxes; I don’t care about his life outside the ring. I just want to compete.

And you, Dmitry?

I see him as a good fighter who loves his job.

Do you think you will ever get another fight with Canelo? He still talks about you.

I don’t know; I don’t care about that right now. I have a serious opponent in front of me, and with Canelo, that subject is closed for me, but anything is possible.

Arthur, even though you’ve won all your fights and stopped all your opponents, is there anyone you would like to fight again?

No, it’s all finished. I don’t think about those things.

In the first round, what happens in the fight, Dmitry?

I’m not a fortune teller, but I believe in my skills, as always. I’ll come into the ring only for victory.

What happens after the first round?

Whatever happens, happens once the action starts.

You’re both very diplomatic, but it’s not easy for us to talk about things you don’t know. Before we finish, could we shake hands one last time?

Of course, I don’t have a problem with that.”

Very interesting that they know one another so well going back to their amateur days being on the same team.

They obviously have studied one another in the pro ranks since those days.

All the big names in boxing are interested in this one on Saturday.

It is simply a great fight.

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Who Is Better Pound For Pound:

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They know one another well but ultimately it will be about who implements their different game plans, better, and adjust mid fight if needed.