Last week, while MMA fans focused on the underwhelming UFC Fight Night in Seattle, headlined by veteran Henry Cejudo facing Song Yadong, which became infamous for all the wrong reasons, boxing enthusiasts were treated to what many are calling the ‘greatest light heavyweight fight’ of all time between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. This thrilling matchup, held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, four months ago, saw the Dagestani export claim Dmitry Bivol’s WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles.
This time, Dmitry Bivol made strategic adjustments, conserving energy in the early rounds before unleashing his full power later in the fight. With a total of 12 fight rounds in the fight, the outcome? Bivol reclaimed his titles and added ‘The Ring’ title, reaffirming his status as the undisputed champion with a majority decision. Even UFC color commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan, usually focused on UFC events, expressed his admiration for the Turkish Alal Sheikh’s boxing event and became a fan of both Bivol and Artur Beterbiev’s performances.
During a discussion with Hancock director Peter Berg on JRE episode #2280, Joe Rogan inquired, “Did you catch the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight this past weekend? What a f——-g fight!” To which Peter Berg responded, “Yes.” Rogan then went on to rave about the fight, calling it “probably the greatest light heavyweight fight of all time.”
In response, Berg shared an intriguing anecdote from his time at the Churchill Boxing Gym in California, where he witnessed Artur Beterbiev’s extraordinary power firsthand while sparring with David Benavidez. “The hardest punch I’ve ever seen anyone throw in my life was in our gym,” Berg recalled.
As the rivalry between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev now stands at 1-1, boxing fans are eagerly anticipating a trilogy to determine who the true champion is. Meanwhile, Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alal Sheikh, who oversaw both fighters’ matchups, has voiced strong support for a third bout with a hand gesture. However, with the stage set for what could be an epic showdown, the burning question now is: What are the thoughts of British promoter Eddie Hearn regarding the potential for this highly anticipated trilogy?
What’s the update on the Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev trilogy?
“We want to see the third fight.” This bold declaration from Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alal Sheikh highlights his eagerness for a trilogy between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. The recent bout, still lingering in the minds of boxing fans, continues to fuel intense debate. Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom and a prominent British promoter known for his work with elite fighters like Anthony Joshua and Canelo Alvarez, also shared his thoughts on the potential for a third showdown.
Hearn, who maintains a strong professional relationship with Turki Alal Sheikh on various upcoming events, suggested that the trilogy might be on the horizon. Speaking to the media, Eddie Hearn reflected on the closely contested rivalry between Dmitry Bivol and Beterbiev, particularly considering their tied 1-1 record. “He [Alal Sheikh] has given him [Bivol] two golden opportunities,” Hearn commented. “The rematch was a true golden opportunity, as those don’t come around often, especially at that pace, just four months after the first fight. My gut feeling, based on how His Excellency values fairness, is that the trilogy will happen next—and I’d watch it a million times.”
What’s your take on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2.0? Do you agree with Joe Rogan that both their light heavyweight performances were top-notch? Share your thoughts below.
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