The new undisputed light-heavyweight belt made its official debut during the weigh-in of Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Both Russian boxers stepped on the scale this Friday, ahead of their title fight at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, scheduled for Saturday.

Bivol, 33, showed a leaner and slightly taller figure, weighing in at 174.12 pounds, just below the light-heavyweight limit. Meanwhile, Beterbiev, 39, who previously had to postpone the fight due to a meniscus tear, weighed 174.9 pounds. Both boxers respected the 175-pound limit without issues, signaling that they are in excellent physical shape for the bout.

After stepping on the scale, Beterbiev and Bivol briefly faced off in a stare-down that reflected mutual respect between the two contenders. Without any further gestures or provocations, they left the stage with the same composure they had when they arrived, clearly showing focus and discipline.

In an interview with DAZN, Bivol

Bivol, who has been training since the age of six, also spoke about his final preparations before the big fight. “I just need to eat right, sleep, and be ready. I’m used to it,” the champion added.

For his part, Beterbiev was brief but firm in his statements. When asked how he felt, he responded: “Good, like usual. My favorite part is fighting. Like I said, we’ll see. I’m getting ready to fight,” commented the experienced boxer, hinting at his preference for letting his fists do the talking.

Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, took the opportunity to promote the fight, describing it as a generational showdown in the light-heavyweight division. “This is a generational, great fight. The best fight in the light-heavyweight division for decades. Two ice-cold competitors. This is an opportunity for Dmitry Bivol to achieve a lifelong dream,” Hearn concluded.Davis-Roach undercard taking shape with additional world title fight touted

With excitement building and the new undisputed belt on the line, fans are eagerly awaiting Saturday’s fight, which promises to be one of the most anticipated boxing events of the year.⚖️ Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol weigh-in results (ceremonial weigh-in later): [@DanRafael1]

🇷🇺 Artur Beterbiev – 174.96lbs 🇷🇺 Dmitry Bivol – 174.12lbs

✅ All set for the undisputed light-heavyweight world title fight tomorrow night.

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 11, 2024

‼️ Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol FINAL FACE-OFF ahead of tomorrow night…

[🎥 @Queensberry] pic.twitter.com/FbqKAgly3Q

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 11, 2024

Not long ago, Chris Eubank Jr. faced backlash for ruining the atmosphere of Riyadh Season by being overly outspoken. Now, just two weeks later, Artur Beterbiev, the light-heavyweight champion set to fight on Saturday, finds himself criticized for a contrasting reason: his silence and apparent reluctance to engage beyond what he considers necessary.

While some may see Beterbiev's silence as a disruption, it's particularly perplexing for those tasked with interviewing him and disappointing for others—especially those with a financial stake in the success of Saturday’s event. They’d prefer both Beterbiev and his opponent, Dmitry Bivol, to engage more at press conferences and express themselves when given the chance.

Beterbiev, however, remains unapologetically stoic. He’s known for his piercing gaze and one-word answers, revealing more in the ring than in interviews. Even in the ring, he tends to be notoriously frugal with his words.

“At the first press conference, Beterbiev said about three words,” complained Eddie Hearn, one of the many promoters involved with the event, in an interview with DAZN. “I actually found it quite arrogant because you’re flying him over, and he just went, ‘Good.’ It’s like, hang on a minute, you’re getting paid an absolute fortune; you owe us a little bit more than that. He couldn’t care less.

“In a way, I respect it; but in a way, I think it’s a little bit disrespectful. I’m not expecting him to come and start rolling around with Bivol, but you are a monster; you’ve got your role to play in this fight. You’re receiving a huge amount of money, so let’s play the game a little bit.

“But when you actually get into Beterbiev and break him down in the interviews, he is actually quite funny. He’s got this very cold, dry sense of humor that does come out. He should show that a little bit more.”

Hearn’s comments touch on several intriguing points, notably the notion that Beterbiev owes something to his paymasters for the substantial sums he receives. While it may seem reasonable to expect more engagement from Beterbiev, he’s certainly not the first fighter to offer only as much of himself as necessary, and he won’t be the last.

Moreover, due to the nature of Riyadh Season events and the exorbitant amounts of money being handed out, there is little incentive for Beterbiev to sell this fight as he might have in the past when the promotional model was more conventional. Here, with his earnings effectively guaranteed and ticket sales irrelevant, Beterbiev’s main focus is on avoiding injury and showing up ready to fight. Whether he chooses to offer a monologue or just a word or two at press conferences has no bearing on his financial reward.

“You talk a lot,” he told Hearn during Thursday’s press conference.

“That’s my job,” Hearn replied. “You should try it.”

If it’s Hearn’s job to promote and engage in conversation while in Saudi Arabia, why should it also fall to Beterbiev? He’s a fighter preparing for the most challenging bout of his life. Is that no longer sufficient in terms of a boxer’s contribution?

Perhaps promoters have grown so accustomed to fighters adhering to their whims that it seems unusual to encounter one whose focus is solely on the fight itself. To them, it might feel like a fighter neglecting their promotional duties is only fulfilling part of their role.

On the flip side, one could argue that the promoters involved in Riyadh Season are also only doing what is required of them: showing up, speaking, smiling for the cameras, and posing as if they’re fighting. Their responsibilities differ significantly when collaborating with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season compared to promoting shows funded by their own resources. The risks are minimized in Riyadh, allowing them to enjoy their roles more.

In the end, Beterbiev is doing just what’s necessary. While his terse interviews can be frustrating, they reflect the peculiar landscape boxing is navigating today. It’s also possible that Beterbiev has simply fallen out of practice; perhaps he has forgotten how to attend press conferences and deliver anything beyond standard platitudes and thank-yous to those signing his checks.

Interviews often follow a similar pattern, probing him for soundbites meant to generate social media traction or go viral rather than encouraging genuine engagement. For someone like Beterbiev—a 39-year-old man from Russia—there are few things less appealing than participating in this superficial world. While some attendees at Riyadh Season must conform to its rituals, Beterbiev, a powerful figure in boxing, has options. He wields left and right fists and boasts a perfect record of 20 knockouts in 20 fights. He doesn’t need to market himself beyond what he is: the scariest fighter on the planet.

Renowned boxing promoter and founder of Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, has revealed details of his conflict with Chris Eubank Jr. In an interview with @IFLTV, Warren discussed Eubank Jr.’s refusal to accept a fight against rising star Hamzah Sheeraz. According to Warren, the British boxer was upset after being publicly called out for not accepting the offer.

“He (Chris Eubank Jr) was pissed off that I called him out (for not taking the Hamzah Sheeraz fight). He said he never received the offer that was made, which is pretty surprising because the offer was made. He kept showing up with Ben Shalom and with that Maz (Mazhar Majeed) who’s his advisor, which…who’s his advisor,” Warren stated.

This comment has not only caused a stir but also sparked a debate about Eubank Jr.’s career and his willingness to face new challenges. The fight with Sheeraz, a young rising boxer, could have been a significant opportunity for Eubank Jr., but according to Warren, it was declined.Frank Warren had previously mentioned that earlier this year, Sheeraz was offered the chance to fight Mexican champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.

However, Frank Warren argued that it was not yet the right time for Sheeraz to take such a big leap in his career. This offer was also turned down, highlighting the cautious approach taken by Sheeraz’s team in selecting the right fights.👀 Frank Warren: “(Chris Eubank Jr) was pissed off that I called him out (for not taking the Hamzah Sheeraz fight). He said he never received the offer that was made which is pretty surprising because the offer was made. He kept showing up with Ben Shalom and with that Maz… pic.twitter.com/8MXVR23sC2

— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) October 11, 2024

Meanwhile, Chris Eubank Jr. is preparing to face Kamil Szeremeta on Saturday, October 12 in Riyadh, as part of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol event. This fight represents a significant challenge for Eubank Jr., as he looks to solidify his position in the middleweight division.

In addition to his in-ring commitments, Eubank Jr. has recently made headlines due to a public confrontation with Conor Benn. The two boxers crossed paths in Saudi Arabia during the weigh-in ahead of Eubank Jr.’s fight against Szeremeta. Tension between them has escalated, and both have taken to social media to express their disagreement. Conor Benn has made clear the reasons behind his conflict with Eubank Jr., adding a new chapter to the rivalry that has been brewing between them in recent months.

Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol both weighed in narrowly under the light-heavyweight limit for Saturday’s undisputed title fight at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The leaner, narrowly taller Bivol, 33, was 174.12lbs. Beterbiev, 39 and whose ruptured meniscus forced the postponement of their sought-after contest from June 1, was 174.9lbs. 

The Russians briefly stared at each other in a demonstration of their mutual respect, before departing the stage with the same composure with which they arrived.

“I’m always like this,” Bivol told DAZN. “I’m chilled, but I’m focused also. It means a lot, but at the same time I’m trying to forget about everything I went through. I say thank you for everything, for everyone, and now I just focus on Saturday. 

“I just need to eat right, sleep, and be ready. I’m used to it. Since six years old I’ve been fighting.”

“Good, like usually,” Beterbiev responded when asked how he felt. “[My] favorite part is fighting. Like I said, we’ll see. I’m getting ready to fight.”

Their latest reluctance to express themselves led to Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn, long aligned with DAZN, again attempting to promote Saturday’s fight, and he said: “This is a generational, great fight. The best fight in the light-heavyweight division for decades. 

“Two ice-cold competitors. This is an opportunity for Dmitry Bivol to achieve a lifelong dream.” 

On October 6 2023, Liam Cameron returned from a five-year lay-off and outpointed the 2-2-2 Robbie Connor at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield.

On October 6 2024, Cameron boarded a flight to Saudi Arabia. On Saturday, he will box the Olympic silver medallist Ben Whittaker in Riyadh. 

Cameron’s struggles outside the ring – the harsh four-year ban he received after returning a positive test for metabolites of cocaine; the tragic loss of his step-daughter; the resultant struggles with drink and depression – are well documented but he has been rewarded for persevering where many others would have given up. 

The 33 year old may be the underdog on Saturday but he is in Saudi Arabia for a fight.

In June, and just three easy wins into his comeback, the former Commonwealth middleweight champion took what many deemed to be a gigantic step up in level against the former world-title challenger Lyndon Arthur. 

Arthur may have come unstuck in a WBA title challenge against Dmitry Bivol but he remains a terribly testing night’s work at domestic level. Cameron produced an excellent display and pushed the Mancunian to the wire before losing a close split decision. 

Cameron, 23-6 (10 KOs), is well aware that although he is a good fighter with an intriguing story, he is the opponent on Saturday. Everybody who puts a camera or microphone in his face before the fight will be polite and ask about his journey, but not many will have seriously considered the possibility of him upsetting Whittaker. 

Cameron believes that his performance against Arthur proved that he is a true, capable light heavyweight, and that his ability is being underestimated. 

“If I beat Ben, it's not the worst upset in boxing we've seen and I can really, really punch as well,” he told BoxingScene. “I don't know because I'm not the one taking them but everyone who's sparred me says I can really punch.”

“I don't know if people think I'm just a come-forward fighter. Lyndon is a devastating puncher and if I would have just walked in, he'd have knocked me clean out. And I think I got hit with about four big right hands.

“I think in the eighth round, I didn't see one coming and he whacked me and I thought, ‘Fucking hell, what was that?’ So I put my hands up, found out I was all right and then stuck my tongue out and threw about eight shots back.”

The occasion is likely to draw something out of Whittaker, 27. Nobody – maybe even Whittaker himself º knows exactly what that will be. Will he use the stage to show the world his true potential as a fighter or will he enter showman mode and try to create a spectacle?

Cameron isn’t concerned either way. He would love Whittaker to dispense with the skills that carried him to an Olympic silver medal and stand toe to toe in the centre of the ring in the Kingdom Arena but he is smart enough to know that that is unlikely to happen. Cameron is also confident enough in his abilities to believe that Whittaker will quickly realise that he can’t take the type of risks that have made him such a viral sensation.

All he can do is prepare for the best possible version of Whittaker and see what happens when the first bells rings. 

“He'll have a sharp punch and I think this is going to be Ben's best performance,” he said. ”He's going to have to go up levels himself. If he shows me any weakness I'm going to take it and it'll feed my fire.

“People watch his fights and he’s showboating and he's looking terrific. I'm not being horrible here but if I put you in a ring with me – I don't know if you’ve boxed – but if I put my hands behind my back and my trainer went, ‘Right, hit him in the face. You can't hit him back’. Probably, I'll make you miss nine times out of 10.

“This is what we're talking about and there's people deluded. You look at those highlight reels that have got three million views when he's tapping them on the head. This a hard fight for him. It's a hard fight for me as well. I'm not going to sit here and say it's not.”

In a recent interview for Fight Up TV, Conor Benn discussed his recent confrontation with Chris Eubank Jr. in Saudi Arabia. The 28-year-old British boxer did not hold back after the altercation that took place on Friday. Benn pushed Eubank Jr. in the chest, generating tension between the two.The conflict between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. is not new.

The two fighters were supposed to face each other in October 2022 in a fight that would mark the 30th anniversary of the match between their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr. However, the fight was canceled when Benn failed two voluntary doping tests. Since then, the rivalry has grown, with exchanges of words and latent tensions.

In the interview, Conor Benn recounted his version of the events that triggered the altercation. According to him, it was Eubank Jr. who approached him first. “Well, I didn’t approach him, that’s the point. He started walking toward me,” Benn explained. “If he thinks I’m going to let someone approach me like that, he’s mistaken. Nobody comes at me like that, period.” Benn made it clear that he would not allow Eubank Jr. to intimidate him, adding that the rivalry has been brewing for over two years.

“He says he was waiting for me to finish cutting weight to ‘attack me,’ but I wouldn’t be that disrespectful,” Benn continued, emphasizing his firm stance. “If you want to come up to me, don’t think I won’t tell you what I think.”

When asked about his personal opinion of Eubank Jr., Benn did not mince words. “He’s an arrogant idiot,” he said without hesitation. “He’s arrogant, he’s delusional, he’s a fool. I don’t have many good things to say about him, personally.” For Benn, Eubank Jr.’s attitude and the way he has handled things over the past two years have been unacceptable.

Benn accused Eubank Jr. of using his pain for his own benefit, referring to the difficult situation surrounding the cancellation of their fight in 2022. “I called him personally from my phone, crying, saying, ‘Chris, I’m sorry, mate.’ And he used that against me when it was very hard for me to make that call,” Benn revealed.

Benn made it clear that he is ready to face Eubank Jr. as soon as possible. “Let him sign the contract for the next fight,” Benn expressed. “I don’t need a warm-up fight.” Although he acknowledges the risk of moving up two weight classes, Benn remains confident and has no doubts about his ability to face Eubank Jr. without needing more prior fights.Terence Crawford and Sebastian Fundora reach agreement

“I’m a fighter, I live in the gym. I spar with light heavyweights, super middleweights, and middleweights.” He added, “For me, nothing he brings is concerning. The only thing is that I’ll have to move up two weight classes, but apart from that, I don’t consider him a top-level opponent.”

“Of course, there’s a risk; it’s dangerous to move up two weights, but I’m a fighter. I could face King Kong tomorrow if necessary,” Benn stated confidently.Controlling emotions in the ring

Despite the intensity of the rivalry, Benn admits that he fights with strong emotions, something that won’t change when they finally face off. “I fight with emotions. I fight with rage, with anger. That’s just how I am,” Benn explained. “I come out like a bull from the start.” The boxer is convinced that his aggression and fighting style will be key to defeating Eubank Jr. when the time comes.

Regarding how he sees the fight, Benn is categorical. “As soon as I land my big right hand on his huge head, it’s over.” For Benn, the outcome is clear, and all that’s left is to wait for both boxers to face each other in the ring to settle their bitter rivalry once and for all.

Now, Chris Eubank Jr. is preparing to face Polish fighter Kamil Szeremeta on Saturday in Riyadh at the Beterbiev vs. Bivol event. But the encounter with Conor Benn continues to loom in his horizon, with both showing clear intentions to resolve their differences in the ring.

Ben Whittaker has crammed a lot into eight professional fights.

The light heavyweight is an outstanding talent but it is his unique style and imaginative showboating that has made him a viral sensation. He has quickly crossed over and graduated to the stage where although a good proportion of fans buy tickets to watch him perform rather than fight, a sizeable number tune in hoping to see the Olympic silver medallist get punished. 

Pressure and attention can cause some fighters to lose their way and forget the qualities that earned them their platform in the first place. Whittaker, however, is renowned for his dedication to his chosen craft. The 27 year old is a ferocious trainer and, if you watch a full fight rather than a perfectly curated highlight reel, he generally keeps his tricks to himself until he has established a measure of control over his opponent.

“I knew it was gonna happen so I think you prep yourself from young,” Whittaker, 8-0 (5 KOs) told DAZN before he fights Liam Cameron in Riyadh on Saturday. “My style will get hated on or people will say certain things about it. It doesn’t bother me. I think the more they talk about it, the better it is for me. That’s how I look at it

“I’ve always put pressure on myself. In anything you do, I think there’s always pressure but as an elite athlete and if you want to be the top, top guy you need to have that pressure. I think that pressure makes you get better. It makes me train harder. It makes me want to do extra sessions. It makes me want to do extra reps. I think that’s what makes me the man I am.”

In June, the 33-year-old Cameron, 23-6 (10 KOs), pushed former world-title challenger Lyndon Arthur all the way before losing a split decision.

Some have wondered why – if Whittaker really is such a major talent – he isn’t facing Arthur himself rather than the opponent who came up short against him, but Whittaker has been guided sensibly so far and Cameron is a sensible match-up.

The former Commonwealth middleweight champion’s return from a four-year ban and serious personal issues is well documented. He is hungry, determined and, of all Whittaker’s opponents to date, appears the most well equipped to test his ability to fight as well as box. The fight also gives him the opportunity to gauge his performance against Arthur’s. 

Whittaker understands the process he must go through before stepping in with the division’s bigger names and, apart from the significant boost Saturday’s event will give his profile, sees plenty of benefits from facing Cameron.

“I think that’s what the journey of a professional boxer is – taking those steps,” he said. “That’s what Saturday is about. It’s another step. It’s a harder opponent. A more game opponent. When I was a young kid, you want to be an Olympic medallist but you can’t go to the Olympics right away. You need to go to the world championships and the Europeans. Learn about yourself and that’s what the pro game is too and I’m learning, I’m developing and I’m getting more confident.”

Renowned boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has firmly expressed his rejection of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, scheduled for November. In a recent interview with Michael Benson, Hearn was adamant in declaring that he will leave the stadium after watching the rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, scheduled for November 15. His refusal to watch the Paul-Tyson fight was clear.

“I think it’s a huge shame that one of the biggest legends of the sport comes back 20 years after everybody knew he shouldn’t be boxing anymore. At 55 or however old he is. He’s 58? Jesus Christ, he’s nearly 60. Like, you have no respect for the sport of boxing if you put Mike Tyson in a ring at 58 years of age. And if he gets hurt, then it’s on those people… I’ll watch Katie Taylor and then I’ll leave. I can’t watch that,” Hearn said during the interview.Eddie Hearn has been a consistent critic of this fight, which he called “dangerous, irresponsible, and disrespectful to boxing.”

His main concern revolves around Tyson’s advanced age. At 58 years old, he will face an opponent 31 years younger than him, Jake Paul, who is 27. For the promoter, the age difference is one of the most alarming factors, alongside the potential health risks Tyson faces.

The fight has sparked criticism from many quarters. Boxers, analysts, and media outlets have noted that this bout is more of a spectacle than a competitive fight. Many agree it is driven by financial motives rather than sporting ones. Tyson’s iconic status in boxing and the controversial rise of Jake Paul, a YouTuber turned boxer, appear to be the main attractions of this event.

It is also worth mentioning that this fight had been postponed before due to Tyson’s health issues. For Eddie Hearn, this should have been a clear warning sign about the risks of going ahead with the fight. In his remarks, he stressed that returning to the ring at 58 is not a wise decision.

Despite his rejection of the Paul-Tyson fight, Hearn has expressed full support for Katie Taylor in her rematch against Amanda Serrano. Hearn emphasized that this fight will be the greatest challenge of Taylor’s career and is a fight of true sporting merit. However, he remains firm in his decision not to watch the main event, which he deems unnecessary and risky for Tyson’s health.Sebastian Fundora may be stripped of world title despite Terence Crawford ‘agreement’

The controversy surrounding this fight continues to grow, and as boxing fans are divided between those eagerly awaiting the spectacle and those who

Jai Opetaia believes Artur Beterbiev’s only chance of defeating Dmitry Bivol exists in him stopping his fellow Russian.

Beterbiev and Bivol will contest the undisputed light-heavyweight title at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, in an occasion that will define their careers and determine the finest heavyweight not only in Russia, but of their generation.

The 39-year-old Beterbiev, the IBF, WBO and WBC champion, for all of his boxing abilities, is widely regarded as the biggest puncher in the world, pound for pound.

Bivol, 33 and the WBA champion, established himself as one of the world’s finest boxers when in 2022 he so convincingly defeated Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, then even more widely considered the finest fighter in the world.

There exists speculation that the winner of Saturday’s contest will follow becoming the undisputed champion by moving to cruiserweight to fight Opetaia, who on the undercard defends his IBF title against Jack Massey. 

The Australian has, therefore, inevitably assessed both, and told BoxingScene: “It’s a great fight. As a boxing fan, it’s one of the best fights to make at the moment. Perfect style match-up; very exciting.

“[Bivol] keeps his range; cuts angles; he’s got amazing footwork. He keeps people right at the end of his punches.

“Beterbiev’s the complete opposite. He applies such smart pressure; he’s so hard to hit. He looks easy to hit but he’s so hard to hit. He’s got a great jab; he’s got fucking power; he’s got a really good chin, and they both have really high work-rates. They obviously work hard in the gym, because you can’t fake that sort of style. To hold that level for 12 rounds, you get caught out, so they do the hard work.

“It’s exciting. If Bivol can box smart and doesn’t get clipped – if it goes to the scorecards, Bivol’s gonna win. But if somehow Beterbiev hurts him, he could win by knockout. But if it goes to the scorecards, Bivol’s got it, 100 percent.”

Opetaia was then asked about how likely he considered the prospect of him fighting the victor, and responded: “It’s been thrown up. They’ve talked about it a fair bit. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Our focus is collecting these [cruiserweight] belts, and if one of those super fights pops up on the way, we’ll take it. 

“I’d fight the winner. I think they’ll both be decent cruiserweights; they’ve got great skills for it. Boxing’s changing – it’s not about punching on. Look at the best heavyweight in the world now [Oleksandr Usyk] – he’s got the best footwork. That’s why he’s the best. 

“The sport of boxing is about moving; the punching’s the easy part, but when you start adding the footwork; the distance; ticking every box. That’s when you become world champion.”

Skye Nicolson is on the eve of making history in Saudi Arabia, but it is a homecoming fight in Australia she craves.

On Saturday the 29-year-old will attempt to defend her WBC featherweight title against Raven Chapman on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh, and will therefore feature in the country’s first fight for a women’s world title.

If the Kingdom is to succeed in rebuilding its image as a less oppressive society, the time may come when Nicolson and Chapman – 30 years old and from England – are recognised as contributing a major part.

For all that she recognises the potential benefits in doing so, however, Nicolson is more focused on her target of defending her title in Australia. She is from Meadowbrook, Queensland, and in the event of victory intends on pushing her promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, to make her ambition real.

“I want to take big fights home to Australia,” she told BoxingScene. “I’ve said that all along, for my whole career. I fought for my first title – the Commonwealth title – back at the end of 2022, so to defend my world title on home soil would be very special for me, but for my family and fans as well. It’s something I’m going to keep pushing, and hopefully we can get that over the line in the near future.

“It’s a conversation I’m almost bored of having, to be honest. I ask and ask and ask, but we haven’t been back there for a while. I know that Eddie wants to do a homecoming for me and [Liam] Paro; it’s just about the right opponents, the right date, and making it make sense for everyone. I was really, really hoping that I would get to fight at home before the end of 2024, but obviously that’s nearing now, and it doesn’t seem likely that it’s gonna happen with Paro fighting [Richardson Hitchins] in Puerto Rico in December. That makes me feel like that’s not happening anymore.

“The conversations are definitely being had. But the when, where, how it all happens is all still up in the air. 

“I was disappointed. But I understand it from a business point of view. Australia, and the Australian public, just don’t give boxing the support – the recognition – that it needs and it deserves. Especially with the world champions that we have coming out of our country; we’re not really backed by the Australian government or by the Australian public, unfortunately, which does make it hard for Matchroom to take a show there when other cities are willing to pay up and, I guess, make better fights.

“Probably after every fight my team talks to Matchroom about a homecoming. But I understand it from a business point of view and it has to make sense for everyone – but we’ll keep pushing. 

“My chief ambition is to be undisputed champion of the world. I want to bring big fights home to Australia, and it is important to me, and I will keep pushing for it. But my goal remains to be undisputed world champion.”

That the Saudi Arabian culture continues to limit women’s rights potentially leaves Nicolson, Chapman and others who accept the increased purses on offer there open to criticism. 

She was asked if, in the modern era when fighters have become so accessible, she had been criticised for doing so. She also revealed that she is yet to meet the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh.

“From what I’ve seen – not that I sit and scroll through every comment – I haven’t really seen any negative criticism about fighting out here,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of positive stuff, and a lot of people saying that this has been a long time coming and this is a movement in the right direction for women in Saudi Arabia; for women in boxing. So it’s been quite a positive reaction and experience so far.

“I haven’t met him yet. I assume I will this week, but I haven’t actually spoken to him yet.

“I’ve honestly had a really positive experience out here. Everyone I’ve met has made me feel very welcome; it’s been nothing but positivity from the male and female Saudis that I’ve met. I feel like I’m in a very empowering position, to inspire the women here. I’ve met a few of the Saudi boxers – the young up-and-coming boxers in the boxing gyms here. I feel like I’m really inspiring that next generation; I’ve only felt positive things about fighting over here.

“Apart from the main event, the female fight’s probably been the most talked about fight. We’ve had the most media attention. Which I think’s great; it’s great for women’s boxing; it’s great for Raven and I. It’s giving us the spotlight; it’s giving women’s boxing the spotlight it deserves, and that’s probably been missing and needed, especially from these Riyadh Season cards. It’s all been very positive for women’s boxing, and for myself and my own career, and for the people of Saudi Arabia as well.”

Nicolson, who won her title against Sarah Mahfoud and defended it against Dyana Vargas, is the favourite for Saturday’s fight. Chapman is considerably less proven at world level, but she has, unlike Nicolson, previously fought in the Middle East – in 2022 she outpointed Fatuma Yazidu at Yume Nightclub in Dubai.

“She’s a good fighter,” Nicolson continued. “I just don’t think she’s as good as me. She’s aggressive; quite relentless; strong; powerful; a bit of a brawler. Which are all things that will complement my style. 

“She’s got slow feet. She falls in; she rushes her work; she doesn’t set her shots up, and she’s very easy to hit.

“I see what’s coming before it comes. I find her quite easy to read, and I think she’s gonna be there for me to hit all night long.”

Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn had to be separated when they came face to face in Riyadh on the eve of Eubank Jnr’s fight with Kamil Szeremeta.

Eubank Jnr and Szeremeta, both 35, meet at super middleweight on the undercard of the undisputed light-heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The former’s encounter with Benn, however, will inevitably fuel speculation that they will finally fight in 2025.

Their catchweight contest in 2022 was abandoned when Benn twice tested positive for the banned substance clomifene and he  subsequently relinquished his British Boxing Board of Control license.

The 28-year-old Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn said as recently as September that he hopes Benn’s return will happen imminently. “We’ll know more early October how that will play out,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of questions asking why doesn’t he just take a two-year ban – the test was in June 2022.

“But to Conor’s detriment he’s never wanted to concede a ban because he believes in his innocence. He’s never wanted to do a deal, and it has cost him time.”

“This little weasel waited to the day I’m starving and dehydrating myself making weight to grow some balls and pull up on me,” Eubank Jnr posted on social media.

“Don’t lose to this nugget on Saturday, satsuma head,” Benn responded. “And I suggest you scrub your teeth because your breath smelt like a mountain of shit.

“Three rounds I’m flattening you.”

Dan Azeez will have the opportunity to regain the British light-heavyweight title when he fights Lewis Edmondson at London’s Copperbox Arena on October 19. 

The British Boxing Board of Control’s latest championship circular revealed that Boxxer will stage the fight on the undercard of Adam Azim’s intriguing super-lightweight clash with Ohara Davies.

Azeez, 20-1-1 (13 KOs), won the title by beating Hosea Burton in 2021 and defended it twice before losing it to Joshua Buatsi in February. 

Azeez’s victory over Burton kickstarted an outstanding run that led him to the European title and turned the career underdog into a headliner. The 35 year old will next need to prove that he possesses the drive and ambition to launch another by turning back the challenge of the undefeated Edmondson. 

Edmondson, 9-0 (3 KOs), has been heavily linked to a fight with Ben Whittaker but instead gets the chance to win his first professional title. Edmondson has never been beyond eight rounds and will have his stamina tested by the relentless Azeez.

In September it was announced that Brad Pauls, 19-1-1 (11 KOs), will make the first defence of his British middleweight title against Keiron Conway, 21-3-1 (6 KOs). The same circular detailed that Eddie Hearn will promote the fight on a date and at a venue to be advised. Conway, however, is due to face Aaron McKenna in the semi final of the middleweight Prizefighter tournament.

The vacant British super-welterweight title fight between the Commonwealth champion Sam Gilley, 17-1 (8 KOs), and Louis Greene has been postponed due to an injury sustained by Greene, 17-4 (11 KOs). It is a year since Gilley got the better of Greene after 12 outstanding rounds and the rematch was due to take place on October 18. Gilley has been inactive since. 

Nathaniel Collins remains the British featherweight champion but is continuing to work his way back to full fitness after undergoing emergency bowel surgery in May.

In a bid to keep the division moving, the board have decided to put a final eliminator between the Commonwealth champion Masood Abdulah, 11-0 (7 KOs), and the English champion, Zak Miller, 14-1 (3 KOs), out to purse bids. 

In September Abdulah stopped the brave George Stewart to win the Commonwealth title. Miller lost a majority decision to Collins in 2023 and beat the undefeated Lewis Frimpong to win the English title in June.

Marcel Braithwaite withdrew from his vacant British super flyweight title with the English champion Brandon Daord, 10-0 (3 KOs). Quaise Khademi, 12-3-2 (4 KOs) steps up. Khademi drew with Ijaz Ahmed in two previous attempts at the title. Lee Eaton will stage the fight on a date and at a venue to be advised.

The latest British Boxing Board of Control British title circular in full

Heavyweight

Fabio Wardley (holder) v Frazer Clarke

The above contest to be promoted by Frank Warren, will take place on 12 October 2024 in Saudi Arabia.

Cruiserweight

Cheavon Clarke (holder)

Light heavyweight (vacant)

Dan Azeez v Lewis Edmondson

The Stewards to approve a request from promoter Ben Shalom for the above contest, which will take place on Saturday, 19th October 2024 at the Copperbox in London.

Super middleweight

Callum Simpson (holder)

Middleweight

Brad Pauls (holder) v Kieron Conway

The above contest to be promoted by Eddie Hearn, will take place on a date and at a venue to be advised.

Super welterweight (vacant)

Sam Gilley v Louis Greene

Following injury to Louis Greene, the above contest to be promoted by Frank Warren will take place on a date and at a venue to be advised.

Dean Sutherland (holder) v Fraser Wilkinson

The Stewards decided to approve a request from promoter Sam Kynoch for the above eliminator contest, which will take place on 30 November 2024 in Aberdeen.

This contest is also for the Celtic super-welterweight Championship.

Welterweight

Harry Scarff (holder) v Liam Taylor

The above contest to be promoted by Nisse Sauerland, will take place on a date and at a venue to be advised.

Super lightweight

Jack Rafferty (holder)

Ben Marksby v Khaleel Majid

Following injury to Khaleel Majid, the above eliminator contest to be promoted Nisse Sauerland will take place on a date and at a venue to be advised.

Lightweight

Sam Noakes (holder)

Regan Glackin v Kyle Boyd

The above final eliminator contest to be promoted by Sam Kynoch will take place on 31st January 2025 in Glasgow.

This Contest is also for the Celtic lightweight championship.

Super featherweight

Reece Bellotti (holder) v Michael Gomez Jnr

The above contest to be promoted by Eddie Hearn will take place on 26 October 2024 in Manchester.

Featherweight

Nathaniel Collins (holder)

Masood Abdulah v Zak Miller

The Stewards decided to put out the above final eliminator contest to purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions to the Board’s head office by 12pm on 13 November 2024; the contest to take place by the end of March 2025.

Super bantamweight

Dennis McCann (holder) v Peter McGrail

Following agreement being reached between the parties, the above contest to be promoted by Frank Warren, will take place on a date and at a venue to be advised.

This contest is also for the European super-bantamweight championship.

Bantamweight

Andrew Cain (holder)

Super flyweight (vacant)

Brandon Daord v Quaise Khademi

Following Marcel Braithwaite vacating the above championship, the Stewards decided to approve a request from promoter Lee Eaton for the above contest, which will take place on a date and at a venue to be advised.

Flyweight

Jay Harris (holder) v Conner Kelsall

The above contest to be promoted by Frank Warren, on a date and at a venue to be advised.

This contest is also for the European and Commonwealth flyweight championship

Jan Paul Rivera and Andy Beltran both made weight ahead of Rivera’s homecoming fight on the DAZN-streamed card from Coliseo Roger L Mendoza in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

The eight-round featherweight bout headlines the Most Valuable Prospects 9 event.

Rivera (10-0, 6 KOs) of Puerto Rico, who will face undefeated Las Vegas native Beltran (8-0, 5 KOs), weighed in at the featherweight limit of 126lbs. Beltran, 23, came in at 125lbs.

Rivera is managed by Amanda Serrano and her trainer, Jordan Maldonado. The duo also manage two other fighters on the card – women’s featherweight Krystal Rosado and middleweight Alexis Chaparro, both of whom will also be in action.

Rivera is coming off a knockout win in July over Justin Goodson (8-1, 8 KOs) on a previous Most Valuable Prospects card in Orlando, Florida.

Beltran spent the first two years of his career fighting in Mexico. His most recent fight, a first-round knockout of Isiah Rodriguez (2-3, 1 KO) in Bellflower, California, was his first outside of Mexico. This will be his first fight in Puerto Rico.

The full weigh-in results are as follows

Featherweight – eight rounds 

Jan Paul Rivera (126lbs) vs Andy Beltran (125lbs)

Women’s bantamweight – six rounds 

Krystal Rosado (116.4) vs Perla Lomeli (116.6)

Welterweight – eight rounds 

Elijah Flores (146.6) vs Omar Rosario (146.4) 

Middleweight – four rounds 

Alexis Chaparro (159.4) vs Steven Kirkwood (157.6)

Heavyweight – eight rounds 

Herich Ruiz (230.4) vs Travorus Barnes (226.8)

Junior lightweight – six rounds 

William Colon (131.4) vs Jan Pomales (131.8)

Featherweight – four rounds

Carlos De Leon (125.6) vs Levale Whittington (125.8)

Junior welterweight – four rounds 

Matthew Soto (140.8) vs Eduardo Perez (141.8)

Unified WBO and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora is walking around with a target on his back in the super-welterweight division and it appeared as though his next fight was planned out. However, it now appears as though he will be stripped of one of his world titles if he goes ahead with what had been agreed.

Fundora shocked the world when he defeated Tim Tszyu on short-notice to become a unified super-welterweight, a sizeable cut to the Australian aiding him on his way to a famous split-decision victory.

Since then, ‘The Towering Inferno’ has been continuously linked to a first defence of the titles in a clash with Errol Spence Jr. – despite the fact that Spence’s last contest was in July 2023 and was back down at welterweight against Crawford.

Additionally, arguable pound-for-pound number one and now WBA 154lb champion Crawford holds the position as the WBO mandatory challenger and purse bids for the showdown had been called, with ‘Bud’ supposedly keen to add two additional titles to his collection as he attempts to become a three-weight undisputed champion

Yet, it was surprisingly revealed that Crawford had agreed to allow Fundora to proceed with a voluntary defence of the belts against Spence Jr. – likely in the hope that Spence Jr. would come out on top and set up a fruitful rematch between the pair.

Although, those plans seem to have gone out of the window regardless of the deal, as the WBO have confirmed that they will not allow Fundora to defend their belt against Spence Jr. due to the fact that he is not ranked, as per Dan Rafael.WBO tells me they will accept this but Fundora optional cannot be vs. Spence as he is not in the top 15 rankings. Keep in mind Fundora could vacate the WBO and still has WBC which could approve Spence. https://t.co/sDXwZlAZLQ

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) October 10, 2024

“WBO tells me they will accept this but Fundora optional cannot be vs. Spence as he is not [in their] top 15 rankings. Keep in mind Fundora could vacate the WBO and still has the WBC [title] which could approve Spence.”

Should Fundora vacate the WBO or be stripped of the strap, Crawford would be expected to be upgraded to full WBO world champion or at least be given the shot at a vacant belt in his next contest.

Alternatively, the WBO may choose to insert Errol Spence Jr. into their top 15 rankings in order to make proceedings less complicated and to avoid stripping their champion.

The announcement that Gervonta Davis would defend his WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach in December was met with collective groans of disappointment with many believing there to be other more worthy contenders for his title. Yet, there are signs that the undercard will help prop up the value of the event, with rumours of a second world title contest being added.

‘Tank’ had been linked to a number of unification contests throughout 2024 but news that fellow champions Shakur Stevenson (WBC) and Vasyl Lomachenko (IBF) would be unavailable left the Baltimore banger searching for an alternate dance partner.

With Floyd Schofield and Edwin De Los Santos both well ranked with the WBA and each calling for a shot at Davis’ throne, the expectation was that one of those two contenders would be granted the opportunity.

However, the self-proclaimed ‘face of boxing’ instead opted to bring WBA super-featherweight champion Lamont Roach up from 130lbs and present him with the chance to become a two-division world champion – underwhelming many of his fans.

Although, it was since been whispered that a salivating rematch between Stephen Fulton and Brandon Figueroa will be going ahead as the co-main event – the victor likely to challenge either Rey Vargas (WBC) or Nick Ball (WBA) for a featherweight world title.

Now, esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael has declared that the possibility of there also being an additional world title affair on the undercard, with Alberto Puello attempting a first defence of his WBC super-lightweight crown against tricky Spaniard and mandatory challenger Sandor Martin.Dave Allen comments on his next fight against Johnny FisherPer multiple sources, plan is for WBC 140 titlist Alberto Puello & mandatory Sandor Martin to fight on the Tank-Roach card Dec. 14. Their camps (PBC and Top Rank) made a deal in August with the fight having to take place before end of year & purse bid was canceled. #boxing

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) October 10, 2024

“Per multiple sources, plan is for WBC 140 titlist Alberto Puello & mandatory Sandor Martin to fight on the Tank-Roach card Dec. 14. Their camps (PBC and Top Rank) made a deal in August with the fight having to take place before end of year & purse bid was cancelled. #boxing”

The Davis-Roach event will take place on December 14th at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas as ‘Tank’ hopes to add a 29th knockout to his resume on a PBC card that will be available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video PPV.

Former WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo is also expected to appear on the undercard, expected to fight Thomas LaManna in his second fight in three-and-a-half years.

Chris Eubank Jr. is set to end a 13-month spell of inactivity when he fights on the Beterbiev-Bivol undercard against Kamil Szeremeta this weekend and his involvement on the bill has already been rife with drama. Now, he and Conor Benn have crossed paths in Riyadh and their meeting was as fiery as could be expected.

After their father’s famous rivalry, the animosity between Eubank and Benn was already innate, but it intensified after Conor Benn failed a drugs test ahead of their scheduled grudge match in September 2022, which was rightfully cancelled.

Benn has not returned to fight in the United Kingdom and seems unlikely to any time soon, revoking his British boxing licence but still calling for a showdown with Eubank in order to put their differences aside.

Meanwhile, Eubank Jr. moved on to a rivalry with Liam Smith and suffered a first knockout defeat to the Liverpudlian back in January 2023, although he got his own back over the former WBO super-welterweight champion in their rematch last September – scoring a stoppage victory of his own.

Eubank Jr. has not returned to action since that contest, but he is set to make a comeback to the ring against Szeremeta on Saturday night.

As the clock counts down to fight night, Conor Benn bumped into his foe ahead of today’s weigh-in and shoved his rival, before labelling him as a ‘dead boy walking’.‼️ Conor Benn SHOVES Chris Eubank Jr as they clash in person today: "I'm gonna f*** you up, you're a dead boy walking."

[🎥 @ChrisEubankJr] pic.twitter.com/OiWTZ1QsYv

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 11, 2024

[Benn] – “You are lucky you are fighting tomorrow or else I would f**k you up right now.”

[Eubank Jr.] – “You see this guy only comes in when I am cutting weight.”

[Benn] – “I will see you tomorrow after the fight.”

[Eubank Jr.] – “You get in that ring.”

[Benn] – “Yeah, I will get into that ring and give it to you. Course. You are f***ing lucky that you are fighting tomorrow.”Martin Bakole claims Zhilei Zhang ‘ran’ from their fight

[Eubank Jr.] – “We will see. Let him come in close, I like this energy.”

Benn shoves Eubank Jr.

[Eubank Jr.] – “You are a kid.”

[Benn] – “I am a kid that is going to f**k you up.”

[Eubank Jr.] – “Watch what happens.”

[Benn] – “Yeah, yeah, watch what happens. Dead boy walking.”

[Eubank Jr.] – “You are a p**sy.”

[Benn] – “You are lucky that you are fighting tomorrow and that I need you to win because I will give you a good a** beating in front of 60,000. That is what is going to happen.”

Since footage of the incident went viral on social media, Conor Benn has added further comment on X and declared that he would ‘flatten’ Eubank Jr. inside three rounds if given the opportunity.Don’t lose to this nugget on Saturday satsuma head. And I suggest you scrub your teeth because your breathe smelt like a mountain of sh*t.

3 rounds I’m flattening you !! https://t.co/Vz4yuJBnXb

— Conor Nigel Benn (@ConorNigel) October 11, 2024

“Don’t lose to this nugget on Saturday satsuma head. And I suggest you scrub your teeth because your breath smelt like a mountain of sh*t. 3 rounds I’m flattening you!!”

Eubank-Benn does appear to be a fight that is around the corner and remains as one of the most deep-rooted rivalries in the sport. Whether it will take place in the United Kingdom or on Saudi shores remains to be seen, but it will likely hinge on Eubank Jr.’s success against Szeremeta this Saturday.

Brandon Figueroa broke the news on his Instagram, posting footage of him shadowboxing rapidly and an image of him as a child with the caption: “I’m a 3X champion now.”

Through a series of events, Figueroa’s planned title showdown against the WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas was scrapped because the injured Vargas was designated “champion-in-recess” by the WBC.

Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KOs) was then elevated to champion and placed by Premier Boxing Champions on to the December 14 Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach pay-per-view lightweight title card in Houston, where he’ll stage a rematch against Stephen Fulton.

In 2021, Fulton (22-1, 8 KOs) defeated Figueroa by majority decision in Las Vegas to become the unified WBO and WBC champion.

Figueroa, 27, of Weslaco, Texas, previously won the WBC belt by knocking out Luis Nery earlier in 2021.

Figueroa has gone 3-0 since the loss to Fulton, capturing the WBC interim 126lbs belt by posting a unanimous decision victory in March 2023 over Mark Magsayo and then retaining that belt by knocking out the former champion Jessie Magdaleno with a ninth-round body shot on May 4 on the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-Jaime Munguia card in Las Vegas. 

The WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told BoxingScene that Vargas (36-1-1, 22 KOs) “was committed to” fighting Figueroa following Vargas’ March 8 draw with the reigning WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball.

Premier Boxing Champions told BoxingScene in June that Vargas-Figueroa would happen in 2024, but Mexico’s Vargas injured his shoulder and has undergone surgery, Sulaiman reports.

That therefore moves Figueroa to Fulton, who is coming off a sluggish showing on the September 14 Alvarez Edgar Berlanga undercard.

Carlos Castro knocked down Fulton in the fifth round and Fulton was noticeably jeered by the crowd when awarded a split-decision victory via scores of 94-95, 96-93, 95-94.

2024 has proven to be a phenomenal year for boxing with Turki Al-Alshikh’s involvement in the sport resulting in a plethora of blockbuster events that have captivated fans around the globe. Yet, the Saudi is not a necessity when it comes to manufacturing major cards and Top Rank now appears poised to end the year with bang without the assistance of boxing’s newfound catalyst.

Three-division world champion Emanuel Navarette (38-2-1) attempted to claim a title at a fourth weight earlier this year but came up short against Denys Berinchyk this May, resulting in back-to-back fights without a win for the Mexican.

That last win came in a dominant performance against former WBC super-featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (32-2), who has since become the WBO interim title-holder and therefore has earnt his shot at a rematch with the out-of-sorts ‘Vaquero’.

Meanwhile, Rafael Espinoza (25-0) pulled off one of the upsets of the year when he outpointed Robeisy Ramirez (14-2) last December, edging a majority-decision against the two-time Olympic gold medallist to claim the WBO featherweight title.

Since then, Espinoza has made one successful defence of the belt to prove that his victory was no fluke, knocking out Sergio Sanchez in June, whilst Cuba’s Ramirez got back to winning ways with a stoppage win of his own – halting Brandon Benitez, also in June.Chris Eubank Jr in talks to fight three blockbuster names

Now, Boxing Scene have reported that both rematches will take place on the same card for the respective WBO super-featherweight and featherweight world titles.

“The Rafael Espinoza-Robeisy Ramirez WBO featherweight title rematch will not go to a purse bid tomorrow, as Top Rank reached an agreement with both fighters before the deadline, per reporting from Lance Pugmire of BoxingScene.

“Espinoza and Ramirez will be the co-main event on the Dec. 7 Top Rank card in Arizona, headlined by the rematch between Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez.”

The imminent announcement of the bill will add to what is already set to be an action-packed end to the calendar, as December plays host to Davis-Roach, Fury-Usyk II and Inoue-Goodman already.

This weekend plays host to what many are calling the ‘best fight in boxing’, as Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol go toe-to-toe in a battle to crown a first four-belt undisputed light-heavyweight champion. Ahead of fight night, a former opponent of Bivol’s has spoken out and detailed why he believes Beterbiev will have his number.

Beterbiev remains as boxing’s only world champion with a 100% knockout ratio, scoring stoppage victories over the likes of Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Joe Smith Jr. and Callum Smith since becoming champion.

Meanwhile, Dmitry Bivol represents the slick boxing technician in the age-old stylistic match-up that is a powerful puncher versus a masterful boxing mind with tremendous footwork.

Yet, that is not to say that Beterbiev does not possess extremely intelligence in the ring himself, with his aggression being far more advanced than your average front-footed swarmer – as shown by his success in the amateurs, where he won two European championships and one world championship, making for an intriguing affair this weekend.

In an interview with Pro Boxing Fans, Lyndon Arthur, who lost a decision to Bivol back in December, revealed his prediction and detailed why Beterbiev’s success in the amateurs could prove pivotal, although he admitted that the age and recent injuries of the 39-year-old does raise alarm bells.

“When I was in there with Bivol, I thought, ‘He doesn’t hit as hard as I thought he would,”

“I was able to defend a lot more punches than I thought I would.”Team GB star signs with boxing advisor

“I’ve been in with both of them. I was sparring Beterbiev. It’s not the same as a fight, but the punches he throws to be able to take them with 10-ounce gloves at the pace he brings them and the resilience he comes into the ring with, it’s going to be hard for Bivol to keep him off.

“He definitely hits hard with 10-ounce gloves with both hands, and it would hurt to get hit with 10-ounce gloves,”

“Bivol, it’s his combination punching, his distancing, and the way he gets in range. Before you know it, he’s there. Beterbiev, it’s his relentless and his ability to come forward. He’s very good at boxing. Because he knocks everyone out, everyone thinks he’s a come-forward fighter, but he was on the Russian team for a long time in the amateurs.”

“He had a long amateur career. He’s seen a lot of styles. He’s very good at boxing. Yeah, [I am picking Beterbiev to win].”

“As long as Beterbiev has got something left in the tank and didn’t grow old overnight. If he’s not showing age, I believe Beterbiev will get him,”

Beterbiev-Bivol will take place on Saturday night, topping a mammoth undercard that features names such as Jai Opetaia, Chris Eubank Jr. and Ben Whittaker.

Jai Opetaia has warned Jack Massey that the physical approach that inspired his victory over Isaac Chamberlain won’t serve him when on Saturday they contest the IBF cruiserweight title.

Opetaia makes the first defence of the title he won for the second time in his rematch with Mairis Breidis in May, and at the same venue – the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Massey, 31, transformed his career a month later when as the underdog he largely bullied Chamberlain in the course of earning a unanimous decision, and in turn won the Commonwealth and vacant European cruiserweight titles, and ultimately the opportunity to dethrone Opetaia: the finest cruiserweight in the world.

He will again be the underdog against the 29-year-old Opetaia—he has previously recorded defeats by Richard Riakporhe and Joseph Parker in what represented his toughest fights—but for all that he has improved and he impressed the defending champion in victory over Chamberlain, Opetaia has reminded him that he is entering a vastly different nature of fight.

“Those boys, they punched the shit out of each other,” Opetaia told BoxingScene. “They just stood there and fucking banged it out, eh? Far out. But we’re a completely different kettle of fish, compared to those guys. We’re not going to stand there and turn this into a fucking slugfest. We’ll use the ring, and ring IQ, and we’re going back to the roots of boxing and movement.

“He’s good, man. We’re not taking him lightly at all; he’s a good, tough opponent. At the press conference he was saying he has a big amateur pedigree, so he’s been around the sport for a long time. He’s good. He’s a tough opponent. But styles make fights.

“There’s pressure in every fight. I’ve had pressure in every single fight of my pro career; it’s been a stepping stone to get where we want to go, and we’re still very far from our final destination. We’re always under pressure. 

“These underdog boys remind me of myself. I was in their shoes; no one knew who I was. I went from fighting at the Music Hall in Brisbane [in Australia] to fighting for a world title. They’re dangerous, so I take every fight very serious.

“Everything we have is earned every day. It can easily be taken away from us in one bad day. We don’t fucking prepare properly for a fight, and we fall short, everything will be taken away from us. We’ve gotta win it before we go in there, so we’re doing all the hard work that needs to be done.”