Beterbiev-Bivol Clash Headlines ESPN+ Event
Oleksandr Usyk Undisputed Title Defense Next
Artur Beterbiev will defend his unified light heavyweight world titles against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol in the main event of an ESPN+ event on Oct. 12 at a location to be determined, multiple sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), of Russia, will make the 10th defense of his WBC and IBF titles against Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs), 31, of Kyrgyzstan.
The fight has been in the works for months, but it was not finalized until Beterbiev knocked out Joe Smith Jr. in the second round on Saturday night in New York. The 33-year-old Smith was making his first defense of the WBO title he won by stunning Beterbiev's mandatory challenger Callum Johnson in the ninth round in January.
Beterbiev and Bivol are two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world
Beterbiev has knocked out all 18 of his opponents and has a reputation as one of the hardest punchers in boxing. Bivol is a skilled boxer with excellent footwork and counterpunching ability.
The fight is expected to be a close and competitive matchup. Beterbiev will have the power advantage, but Bivol will be the more technical boxer.
The winner of the fight will be in a strong position to unify the light heavyweight division. WBO champion Artur Beterbiev is scheduled to defend his title against Anthony Yarde on Oct. 29.
After that, the winner of the Beterbiev-Bivol fight could face the winner of the Beterbiev-Yarde fight in a unification bout in early 2023.
The Beterbiev-Bivol fight is a major event for ESPN+. The streaming service has been investing heavily in boxing in recent years, and the fight will be one of the biggest events on its schedule this year.
The fight will also be a major test for ESPN+'s new pay-per-view model. The service is charging $79.99 for the fight, which is more than the $49.99 that it charged for its previous boxing events.
It remains to be seen whether fans will be willing to pay the higher price for the fight. But if the fight lives up to the hype, it could be one of the most successful boxing events of the year.
Oleksandr Usyk Undisputed Title Defense Next
Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his undisputed heavyweight championship against Anthony Joshua in a rematch on Aug. 20 in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk defeated Joshua by unanimous decision in their first fight in September 2021. The 35-year-old Usyk is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
The 32-year-old Joshua is looking to avenge his loss to Usyk and regain his heavyweight titles.
The fight is expected to be another close and competitive matchup. Usyk will have the advantage in skill and experience, but Joshua will have the power and size advantage.
The winner of the fight will be crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Beterbiev-Bivol Clash Headlines Free ESPN+ Event On October 12th
Artur Beterbiev will defend his unified light heavyweight world titles against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol in the main event of an ESPN+ event on Oct. 12 at a location to be determined.
The fight is expected to be a close and competitive matchup. Beterbiev will have the power advantage, but Bivol will be the more technical boxer.
The winner of the fight will be in a strong position to unify the light heavyweight division.
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