Artur Beterbiev is thinking about stepping up a weight class if he wins his upcoming light heavyweight title fight against Dmitry Bivol, the WBA champion, on October 12th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Beterbiev currently holds the IBF, WBC, and WBO belts and aims to unify all the titles in the light heavyweight division by defeating Bivol. However, his future plans after this fight are uncertain.
If Beterbiev decides to move to the cruiserweight division, fans are excited about a potential matchup with undefeated IBF champion Jai Opetaia, who is highly regarded in that weight class. Opetaia showed skill but struggled under pressure in his recent fight against Mairis Briedis.
The fight between Beterbiev and Bivol will be shown live on ESPN+ from the Kingdom Arena, while the undercard will be on a different network. Beterbiev faces a tough challenge against Bivol, who is expected to use his movement to keep Beterbiev at a distance and avoid his aggressive style.
In a pre-fight interview, Beterbiev praised Bivol as a strong opponent and emphasized his goal of winning more titles and improving as a boxer through hard work in training. While he is cautious about the fight with Bivol, Beterbiev remains dedicated to his aggressive fighting approach and pursuit of knockout wins.
Looking to enhance his boxing skills and possibly take on new challenges in different weight classes, Beterbiev views the undisputed light heavyweight title as a significant achievement in his career. Beyond this, he is open to exploring further opportunities and challenges in the sport.
