Beating Artur Beterbiev will make Dmitry Bivol ‘the best fighter out there’, insists Raul Marquez

Former junior middleweight titleholder Raul Marquez, now a prominent boxing analyst, believes light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol could emerge as the world’s top fighter after his 175lbs undisputed bout against three-belt champion Artur Beterbiev on Saturday.

Beterbiev and Bivol will clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in what is considered the most significant light heavyweight matchup since Andre Ward faced Sergey Kovalev. Marquez, meanwhile, will be broadcasting in Stockton, California, where he will call lightweight Gabriel Flores Jnr's fight against Dennis Contreras.

In an interview with BoxingScene, Marquez highlighted several top fighters, including Gervonta Davis, before expressing his admiration for Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs). Marquez believes a Bivol victory could elevate him to the top spot in the sport.

“The winner between him and Beterbiev – I go back and forth on it,” Marquez told BoxingScene. “I think it's a 50-50 fight, but I believe, in the end, Bivol will be able to keep him away. I really love Bivol. He’s not just a master boxer; he’s exciting, he hurts guys, controls distance well and is well-rounded.”

Bivol, who has held the WBA title for seven years, has been criticized for a perceived lack of power, despite more than half his wins coming by knockout. In contrast, Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs), 39, has won all of his bouts by knockout.

Marquez dismissed the notion that Bivol, 33, is a defensive, passive fighter. 

“People sometimes think he’s a boxer who runs around, but no, he creates action fights,” Marquez said. “He’s powerful, too.”

Marquez cited Bivol’s 2022 unanimous decision win over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez as proof of his skill, and he claimed that a win this Saturday would cement Bivol’s legacy.

“If he beats Beterbiev, he’ll be the best fighter out there,” Marquez said.

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.