The sports universe is prone to hyperbole. And no one is more guilty of hyperbolic crimes than boxing aficionados. Everything is “great” or “epic.” Everyone’s a “legend” or an “icon.” And everything is “historic” – even when there’s no history being made.

It has become so common for something to be “incredible” or “unbelievable” that it waters down the things that are.

This weekend, we have something that truly is deserving of all those over-the-top accolades – a great matchup, between two future legends in a historic showdown that promises to be unbelievable. It’s a battle so good that no amount of hyperbole can do it justice.

After co-dominating the light heavyweight division for almost a decade, Artur Beterbiev puts his WBC, IBF, and WBO crowns on the line against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol in a sublime contest of undefeated superstars in what is arguably the best matchup of the last 10 years. It’s a true super fight that harkens back to great battles of the past: Sugar Ray Leonard-Thomas Hearns, Julio Cesar Chavez-Meldrick Taylor, and Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad.

It happens at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The undercard begins at noon Eastern on Saturday. The main event is around 6 p.m. Eastern on DAZN and ESPN Plus.

Best Matchup Of The Last 10 Years

Beterbiev, 20-0 with 20 knockouts, resides in Canada by way of Russia. He was an outstanding amateur, winning gold at the 2008 World Cup and the 2009 World Championships before reaching the quarterfinals at the 2012 Olympics. His final amateur record was a phenomenal 295-5. He turned pro in 2013, stopping Christian Cruz in two rounds and reeling off 11 straight knockouts, including a win over former champions Tavoris Cloud before capturing the vacant IBF light heavyweight title with a 12th-round knockout of Enrico Koelling in 2017.

Beterbiev first showed his mettle in October 2018 in Chicago, recovering from a second-round knockdown to stop previously undefeated Callum Johnson in round four. It was an indication of what was to come, as the stone-faced Beterbiev walked down the tough, talented Johnson before his vaunted power came into play. As is usually the case with Beterbiev opponents, the end was violent.

Since then, Beterbiev has defended against Radivoje Kalajdzic (KO 5), Oleksandr Gvozdyk (TKO 10, in which he won the WBC title), Adam Deines (TKO 10), Marcus Browne (KO 9), Joe Smith Jr. (TKO 2), Anthony Yarde (TKO 8) and Callum Smith (TKO 7).

With his brutal knockout streak, Beterbiev is among the most feared in light heavyweight history. Even in the fights where he has struggled – Johnson, Yarde – he has shown a Rocky Marciano-like steel resolve, refusing to lose.

The only drawback in Beterbiev’s game is one he can’t control – age. He is 39 years old and has been fighting his whole life. He has shown no outward signs of decline. He is one of the best offensive fighters of his generation.

The 33-year-old Bivol, 23-0 (12 KO’s), is also a native of Russia but now lives in Indio, Calif. He also amassed an amazing amateur log, 268-15, including a gold medal at the 2013 World Combat Games. He turned pro in 2014 with a sixth-round TKO of Jorge Rodriguez Olivera. He reeled off 12 straight wins before winning the WBA light heavyweight title with a first-round knockout of Trent Broadhurst in November 2017.

Since then, he has defended the title 12 times. He beat former champions Jean Pascal and Joe Smith Jr. via decision using a power-boxing style – throwing tons of combinations while utilizing side-to-side movement. He was known as a boxer with KO power as Sullivan Barrera (TKO 12) found out.

Bivol Dominates Canelo

Still, Bivol was virtually anonymous outside of hardcore boxing circles. That changed on May 7, 2022. That’s when Bivol took on Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in what was supposed to be a light heavyweight coronation for the Mexican star. Instead, it turned into a nightmare for the multi-division champ, who was overwhelmed by Bivol’s size, accurate punching, and rat-a-tat-tat combinations. It was a unanimous decision for Bivol who was so dominant, that Canelo didn’t come close to seriously entertaining a rematch, opting to instead drop back to his more comfortable super middleweight division.

Bivol’s dominance continued in his next fight, as he put on another fine performance against Gilbert “Zurdo” Ramirez, a previously undefeated Mexican who was thoroughly outboxed. Since then, he’s fought twice, defeating Lyndon Arthur by decision and stopping Malik Zinad in six in June.

This fight for the ages was originally scheduled for June 1. A ruptured meniscus to Beterbiev postponed it four months, but he is healthy now after successful surgery. Both are ready.

Now, finally, it’s time for Beterbiev vs. Bivol.

Aguilar: Go With Beterbiev

It’s easy to characterize this fight as a “boxer vs puncher” matchup. But, as accurate as that description might be, this fight is much more nuanced.

Beterbiev, much like Julio Cesar Chavez, is a thinking man’s puncher. At 5-foot-11 and with a 73-inch reach, he attacks, but smartly and strategically. He prepares endlessly, studies his opponent, and sets traps. And when he gets his opponent hurt, he is among the finest finishers in the game – if not the best.

Similarly, Bivol isn’t just a boxer. He’s a boxer who is offensive, with stiff power. At 6 feet and a 72-inch reach, Bivol is muscular but wiry, with punches that may look benign but do damage over time. He not only outboxed Canelo and Zurdo, but he stung them too.

This is a fight that is often compared to the first Leonard-Hearns fight, and it will look like that. First one fighter will dominate, then the other, as the two will trade knockdowns and exchange roles as the fight progresses. Right when it looks like one fighter has the advantage, the other will come back. It will truly be a fight worthy of all the fanfare. And all the hyperbole.

In the end, though, Beterbiev has the harder punch and better chin. He’ll be hurt and he might even be dropped more than once, but he will still be there when his rock-hard fists finally catch up to an exhausted Bivol and finish him for the count.

Beterbiev by 11th-round knockout.

@MatthewAguilar5 on Twitter

Willis: Go With Bivol

Bivol is the younger fighter, who has speed and power. That’s a bad combination for a one-dimensional fighter. Bivol has the weather that first big punch. Once he handles that, his confidence will grow. Look for him to dominate the second half of the fight.

Bivol by unanimous decision

@GWillisSports

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