Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: Odds, full fight preview and prediction | Riyadh Season

Undefeated IBF, WBC and WBO champion, Artur Beterbiev, will finally throw down opposite undefeated WBA champion, Dmitry Bivol, TONIGHT (Sat., Oct. 12, 2024) from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In undoubtedly one of the most anticipated boxing matches of the year, contrasting styles of dominant boxers will collide with lots of gold on the line. Beterbiev vs. Bivol was supposed to go down back in June, but an injury to Beterbiev delayed the bout and forced Bivol to box up replacement opponent Malik Zinad.

At 39 years of age, this may be the final dance for Beterbiev, a chance to retain his titles, ungodly knockout percentage, and undefeated record against the best opponent of his career before walking away on top. Bivol, meanwhile, really has a chance to significantly grow his star further like he did by defeating Canelo Alvarez in 2022, as well as prove himself the best of the era.

Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:

Artur Beterbiev Vs. Dmitry Bivol Betting Odds

• Artur Beterbiev victory: -130
• Artur Beterbiev via TKO/KO/DQ: +175
• Artur Beterbiev via decision: +650
• Dmitry Bivol victory: +110
• Dmitry Bivol via TKO/KO/DQ: +600
• Dmitry Bivol via decision: +120
• Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

How Beterbiev Wins

Beterbiev is known for ferocious knockout power more than anything else, but the man is still an expert boxer. It takes craft to so consistently land those clubbing blows, which seemed to rattle opposition even through the guard. Being in incredible physical condition helps as well, and hopefully that will prevent Father Time from creeping into this match up as well.

The task at hand is getting to Bivol, who’s not only the faster man but is also a master in movement and range control. There is no easy solution here, but Beterbiev has to commit to the fundamentals of cutting the ring. His piston jab should be a huge weapon at distance, as it gives him a chance to guide Bivol’s feet and keep a bead on him.

Rips to the body will obviously be helpful, but I’d like to see Beterbiev really focus on betting up Bivol’s gloves and shoulders as well. A right hand on the gloves is better than a miss, particularly with Beterbiev’s car crash power. As rounds were on, lands to the gloves and shoulders will slow Bivol, leaving him more likely to get hit clean later in the fight.

How Bivol Wins

Bivol is one of the most fluid boxers in the sport. A genuine master technician, it’s lovely to watch him flurry or counter, smoothly sliding his way around the defense and offense of expert boxers alike.

I think most expect Bivol to win more rounds of this fight on account of his speed and distance work. The real question is whether he can avoid being clipped by Beterbiev, because so far, nobody has managed it. It will take a near-perfect defensive performance from Bivol, who has to see it all coming and never lax in focus.

Sometimes, the key to that defensive performance is a bit more offense. I’m of the mind that if Beterbiev is swinging freely for 12 rounds, he’s going to hurt Bivol at some point. Therefore, Bivol has to be aggressive in his counter, as well as turn up the combinations when Beterbiev is along the ropes.

There is danger there too, of course, but Bivol has to put at least a bit of fear in Beterbiev if he’s to win this fight.

Beterbiev vs. Bivol Prediction

When it’s an incredibly close fight and something of a coin flip, I typically side with the more consistent fighter over the finishing threat. It’s just a historic lean, a general belief in the athletes who win every minute of a contest rather than rely on a sudden turning point. They win more often than not, and it makes logical sense to me on a personal level to side with consistency.

There’s nothing more consistent than Bivol’s power, however. In that, I am a firm believer as well, and I think he has the tools to get to Bivol. It won’t be quick, and it won’t happen easily, but when Beterbiev does hurt Bivol in the second half of the fight, the snowball starts rolling incredibly quickly.

The odds on surviving an avalanche are quite long.

Prediction: Beterbiev via knockout (+175)