Beterbiev vs Bivol - Culmination or Prelude?
On Saturday night, fight fans across the globe got the chance to witness the long awaited light heavyweight showdown for supremacy between Russian titlists Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Both of them belt holders in some capacity since 2017, the bout would crown an undisputed champ at 175 pounds, the first such claimant since Roy Jones Jr. earned the distinction back in 1999, and the first of the 'four belt era,' for those keeping track of such things. Beterbiev–at 39-years-old–would bring into the ring three of the sanctioning body titles, and 33-year-old Bivol carried the fourth one. On paper this was an unmissable attraction for anyone with even a passing interest in boxing; in a year badly bereft of good news and worthy events, this encounter kept fans’ hopes alive that the sport could still produce memorable nights. Fortunately and despite the long gestation period–this contest could’ve taken place at any time in the last seven years–Beterbiev vs Bivol delivered a fasc...