Unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev was training for his rescheduled 175-pound open-weight championship bout against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol on Oct. 12 when he was spotted by a fan while cycling through the desolate mountains of Siberia.
The road to recovery
The fact that IBF/WBC/WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is able to train hard is a good sign considering he suffered a torn meniscus on May 3 and his June 1 bout with Bivol was postponed until October 12.
Beterbiev's training in the rugged mountains of Siberia will take its toll on the champion's knees, but it will strengthen them and improve his cardiovascular fitness ahead of his planned bout with Bivol in October.
Beterbiev will need to use his pressure and footwork in this fight to counter Bivol's in-and-out attacking style. This opponent is not going to stand in Beterbiev's way like Callum Smith did last January. Bivol is fast and will not be easy to take down.
One of Artur Beterbiev's biggest supporters has spotted the Russian light heavyweight champion cycling through the rugged, bear-infested mountains of Siberia before facing Bivol on October 12. pic.twitter.com/HOkWc4yvWi
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) July 11, 2024
Some boxing fans have questioned whether the 39-year-old Beterbiev will be able to recover from his knee injury in time for the Oct. 12 bout, given how quickly he returns from that type of injury.
Bivol vs. Beterbiev is a showdown between two undefeated light heavyweight champions to prove who is the No. 1 fighter in the division. A rematch between them could happen soon, with the winner potentially defending his title against WBC mandatory contender David Benavidez.
Bivol is known for his technical fighting style and is powerful when on the offensive, but tends to retreat when under pressure and does not like to get involved in offense or defense.
Bivol fought British boxer Lyndon Arthur last December, but was wounded by a gunshot wound to the head in the eighth round. After that, Bivol played the rest of the fight defensively, barely trading offense and looking timid. If Bivol continues to fight in the same way, Beterbiev will have to chase him around the ring all night, much to the disappointment of fans.
Last updated: 2024/07/11
