Artur Beterbiev – Dmitry Bivol title fight set for June in Saudi Arabia as betting odds released globally

The long-anticipated light heavyweight title unification fight between Artur Beterbiev, and Dmitry Bivol is officially set for June 1. in the Middle East – amid months of speculation regarding a massive, blockbuster clash, with official betting odds released pitting the two as early pick ‘ems. 

Beterbiev, the current WBC, IBF, and WBO undisputed light heavyweight gold holder, turned in professional victory number twenty consecutively back in January, turning in an eventual seventh round knockout win over Callum Smith to successfully retain his championship titles.

As for Bivol, the Kyrgzstan-born champion, who holds the WBA and IBO light heavyweight titles, landed his twenty-second straight win back in December as part of a massive pay-per-view card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, winning the latter belt with a unanimous decision win over Lyndon Arthur.

And long expected to face-off with the above-mentioned Canadian-Russian, Artur Beterbiev in a blockbuster light heavyweight championship unification bout, reports over the weekend confirmed how Dmitry Bivol would meet his fellow champion on June 1. in the Middle East – in a huge championship pairing.

And already, some of the UK’s betting websites are offering odds on a championship unification fight between Beterbiev and Bivol this summer in Saudi Arabia, with the pair currently holding odds of -110 apiece – with the clash a current pick ‘em at the time of opening. 

Revered as one the best light heavyweight champions in recent boxing memory, prior to his knockout win over British challenger, Smith last month, technical striker, Artur Beterbiev turned in victories over the likes of Enrico Kolling, Callum Johnson, Joe Smith Jr., and an eighth round knockout win over Anthony Yarde.

Landing himself one of the most high-profile victories in boxing antiquity, back in the summer of 2022, Bivol knocked back the light heavyweight championship pursuit of undisputed super middleweight best, Canelo Alvarez with a unanimous decision win – joining former multiple-time and weight world champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the sole other fighter to beat the Mexican in professional boxing. 

Sharing his thoughts on a booking with Betebiev prior to the confirmation of their June fight in the Middle East, Bivol admitted that his showdown with his fellow light heavyweight gold holder would likely come as the toughest challenge of his career to date. 

“To be honest, I believe that it is the hardest test,” Dmitry Bivol explained. “Why? Because he (Artur Beterbiev) is stronger. I know that he is physically stronger than Canelo. He has good technique too. Many people talk about his power but they forget about his technique because his power is so much better than his technique. But he still has good technique.”

And also shared his thoughts on a fight with Bivol in his return – ahead of their June showdown, Artur Beterbiev shared his excitement of minting himself with a fourth championship strap.

“I need a fourth belt,” Artur Beterbiev said after his win over Callum Smith. “It would mean a lot to me. It’s the top. It would mean in this category [light heavyweight], I have done work.”