Beterbiev goes to cruiserweight

Artur Beterbiev is contemplating a move up to cruiserweight if he emerges victorious in his undisputed light heavyweight showdown against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol on October 12th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The IBF, WBC, and WBO champion Beterbiev mentioned that capturing all the belts at light heavyweight has been his primary goal, and if he achieves that by defeating Bivol, he might consider the next phase of his career in a heavier division.

A move to cruiserweight could set the stage for a fight between Beterbiev and undefeated IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who is regarded as the best in that weight class. Opetaia, while a strong fighter, showed vulnerability under pressure in his last bout against Mairis Briedis. If the fight materializes, it would undoubtedly be a major draw for fans.

Beterbiev-Bivol will be aired live on ESPN+ from the Kingdom Arena, with a split broadcast for the undercard. Many analysts believe it will be a tough fight for Beterbiev, as Bivol’s movement and technical boxing skills will likely make it difficult for him to engage in the close-range combat where he excels. Bivol has been seen working extensively on footwork and distance control in training, indicating a strategy to keep Beterbiev at bay.

When asked about the challenge that Bivol presents, Beterbiev remained focused on the task at hand. “I’m excited about the fight, not the face-off,” Beterbiev told the Queensberry YouTube channel. He acknowledged Bivol as a skilled boxer but downplayed the idea that this would be the toughest fight of his career. Beterbiev’s recent knockout victories over Callum Smith, Anthony Yarde, and Joe Smith Jr. have proven his dominance in the division.

Watch the full interview here: Watch

If Beterbiev does decide to move up to cruiserweight after the Bivol fight, it could open up new and exciting challenges for the 39-year-old. For now, though, he’s focused on the task ahead, with his eyes set on becoming the undisputed light heavyweight champion.