For Artur Beterbiev, the equation is simple: he holds three world light heavyweight championship belts and he wants the fourth. The Quebec boxer has never been so close on Monday in London.
The black leather object, set with golden plaques, sat on a press conference table near its owner, Dmitri Bivol. The host of said conference, Dev Sahni, asked Beterbiev, sitting on the other side, what it felt like to see her in real life after all these years of lust.
“I see another belt,” said the Montreal boxer in what could be seen as deadpan humor, but with him, who knows.
The host also replied, with an uncomfortable laugh: “Thank you Artur… who is terrorizing me! »
But still, does he see in the undefeated Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs), champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA), only an opponent like an “other”?
“As you say, I collect belts and I need one more,” Beterbiev cut in, impassive in his black jacket open over a white t-shirt.
After years of speculation and conjecture, Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) and Bivol will finally meet between the cables on 1er June, in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia.
Respective promoters – the American Top Rank for Beterbiev, the British Matchroom for Bivol – linked to competing television networks (ESPN v. DAZN) seemed to condemn this duel that all lovers of the noble art were demanding. The intervention of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of the Saudi Kingdom and the subject of all thanks and bows during this press conference broadcast live on YouTube, resolved these supposedly irreconcilable differences (with the help of dozens of million).
PHOTO ANDREW BOYERS, REUTERS
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitri Bivol pose with their belts.
Why did it take so long? “I don’t know, he knows better than me, ask him,” Beterbiev suggested to the master of ceremonies, who then turned to Bivol.
“I have been asking for this for a long time, and the answer from my team was: no one will make this fight happen,” recalled the Russian of Kyrgyz origin. Now we have His Excellency, who loves boxing so much and who said: I want this fight. »
Cryptic
Bivol, 33, obviously assured that he had full confidence in his abilities. “I have good skills, I just believe in my skills. I have been boxing for 28 years. I’ve been boxing since I can remember! I like this sport. My experience, my mentality and my skills will help me… I just believe that I will be the undisputed champion. »
Respectful towards his counterpart, the one who has been the WBA title holder since 2017 claims to be excited by the confrontation.
“I love a challenge, I love being tested, and this fight is a huge test for me. »
The host tried two or three other questions to Beterbiev, without much success. Does this shock represent its biggest challenge? ” We’ll see. » What is your presentiment, what are you thinking? “I don’t think so, I’m getting ready.” And I’m going to prepare for this fight to try to be 100% ready. »
Then, a last one: “Do you have a message for Dmitri Bivol? » Cryptic as he can sometimes be, the Canadian of Chechen origin simply retorted: “He already knows that. »
Bivol insisted he had no idea what it was about, but Beterbiev insisted: “I tell you he knows. »
Raw and beautiful
The little passing of arms ended like this, before the traditional face-to-face for the cameras, during which the two champions stared at each other without blinking for almost 30 seconds, which is longer than it seems. air.
Accompanied by Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, Beterbiev came down from the stage for a few press scrums. Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, duBoef noted that his 39-year-old protégé was now “a must-see on television, almost like Mike Tyson in his day.”
It’s not the cutest, it’s not the fanciest, it’s not the one who executes the strike after a dodge, it’s not the beauty of the noble art, it’s destruction. And there’s something so raw and beautiful about that.
Todd duBoef on Artur Beterbiev
The holder of the WBC, IBF and WBO titles did not add any. “I’m a little embarrassed,” he justified. It’s not my thing [les évènements médiatiques]. I’m more comfortable in the ring! »
And above all interested in the belts, which is good, since if he wins, he will not only wear that of the WBA, but also the very prestigious one of the Ring Magazine, and a brand new one, unveiled Monday in London, with the inscription “Unified” right in the center. A true collector’s item.
The “very particular” style of Bivol
Busy in his gym in Villeray, Marc Ramsay, Beterbiev’s trainer, did not follow the large-scale press conference, which also set the table for the intriguing “5 vs 5” match between the foals of Eddie Hearn (Matchroom) and Frank Warren (Queensberry), powerful British promoters and sworn enemies… until Turki Alalshikh brought them together for the gala on 1er June.
To restart a machine already well-oiled since his decisive victory against the Briton Callum Smith, in Quebec, on January 13, Beterbiev spent 21 days at altitude in Russia. He is now in the third week of his preparation camp in Montreal, which will last eight.
“It’s the same recipe before every fight,” Ramsay said. The most delicate operation was finding training partners who could reproduce the classic, yet “very particular” style of Bivol.
“They don’t teach this boxing everywhere in the world,” said the coach. They are almost all boxers from Russia. And getting guys out of this country right now is very complex. »
The Beterbiev clan managed to find three of them, in addition to others opposite. “Indeed, Bivol has a classic style, especially in terms of the choice of combinations,” added the technician. But he really has something special about his movements. It is a style that is mainly found in Russian amateur boxing and that of the countries of the former Soviet Union. It’s very linear, but still moving at the same time. It takes a lot of timing and practice with this style. »
Furthermore, Hearn promised a “whitewash” for his pugilists against those of Warren, starting with a victory for former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, who will face Chinese Zhiley Zhang in the semi-final. Another heavyweight duel will pit Daniel Dubois against undefeated Croatian Filip Hrgović.