Boxing Betting Tips: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol

Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol finally collide to crown the world's best light-heavyweight, but which of the pair will come out on top in Riyadh?

Odds Now's resident boxing expert Brad Walker takes a closer look at the bout from a punting perspective to find you the best value. 

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol - Fight Details

When is the fight?

The fight takes place on October 12th, 2024. Undercard coverage begins at 5pm BST, while main event ring-walks are expected to take place at around 11pm BST.

Where is the fight? 

The fight takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Bivol has previously fought in the country on two occasions, while Beterbiev is yet to fight there. 

Betting odds

Artur Beterbiev 13/10

Draw 18/1

Dmitry Bivol 4/5

*Best UK prices as of 4:30PM 08/10/2024 

Big fight analysis

You know you have a good fight on your hands when it feels impossible to pick who's going to come out victorious. 

Opinions are split as to who will get their hand raised in Riyadh, though it is Bivol who enters a solid odds-on favourite at 4/5. 

He comes in with the WBA belt wrapped around his waist - a title he most recently defended with a sixth-round stoppage of the unfancied Malik Zinad back in June. 

The night was initially set to stage this fight, before an injury to Artur Beterbiev's knee forced the bout's postponement.

Nevertheless, Bivol was able to land his first stoppage in 10 contests against his replacement opponent.

Bivol is a steady favourite heading into Saturday night. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

One man who hasn't struggled for knockouts will be standing in the opposite corner this weekend. 

Beterbiev has won all 20 of his fights inside the distance, most recently demolishing Callum Smith in seven rounds back in January.

The Canada-based light-heavyweight holds the IBF, WBO and WBC titles at 175lbs and stands as one of the most ferocious fighters currently operating in the sport. 

His 100% knockout record shouldn't detract from his technical ability, mind. 

Beterbiev represented his country at the London Olympics where only Oleksandr Usyk could prevent him from progressing. 

The 39-year-old's footwork is up there with the best, allowing him to walk opponents down and pummel opponents into submission.

Odds Now's best bet

As mentioned above, this fight is an incredibly tough one to call. 

Bivol is an elite boxer on a technical level, as demonstrated by his resounding domination of former pound-for-pound ruler Canelo Alvarez back in 2021.

Questions are yet to be asked of his chin, though. 

His superb lateral movement and defensive capabilities have prevented anyone from inflicting damage in any of his 23 professional contests - at least up until this point. 

The same cannot be said of Beterbiev. 

He has already been dropped on two occasions so far in his career - against Jeff Page Jr in 2014 and Callum Johnson four years later - though neither occasion saw him in any particular trouble in terms of being in danger of losing the fight. 

In truth, the bout boils down to whether Bivol is able to keep Beterbiev at bay for the full 12 rounds. 

The latter's technical skills are understated but Bivol will still likely bank the majority of the rounds, at least for as long as the fight lasts. 

Beterbiev has been forced to pick himself off of the canvas two times so far in his career. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

The early stages will likely make for a cagey affair but expect Beterbiev to pick the pace up as the fight approaches the middle stages. 

Five of his last six stoppages have come in the second half of bouts - including his most recent win over Callum Smith - showing his power remains a potent threat throughout.

What Beterbiev does with his hands understandably captures most of the attention but his ability to glide in and out of range with his feet is also a defining factor in his 100% knockout record.

His front-foot pressure has smothered his opponents to date, all of whom have been unable to keep him off for the full 12 rounds. 

And while Bivol is by far the best boxer he has faced on a technical level, I'm not sure he'll be able to prevent himself suffering a similar fate. 

We have not yet seen how he reacts when getting hit clean.

Perhaps he's able to stand up to it, or perhaps his name will be another added to Beterbiev's list of victims. 

One thing that can be guaranteed is boxing fans are in for a real treat with this one on Saturday.