This might be as cold as it gets.
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol had a tense staredown at Thursday’s pre-fight press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of their undisputed light-heavyweight title fight. This is the first time since 2002 that all four major championship titles have been up for grabs in the four-belt era.
Both Beterbiev and Bivol didn’t break eye contact until they were instructed to face forward for the photo op. Below you can check out their intense staredown (via X):
BETERBIEV. BIVOL.
FOR THE THRONE.#BeterbievBivol | OCT 12 6PM ET | @ESPNPlus | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/LEkfSM5Wmi
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 10, 2024
For the first time in the modern era, all four light heavyweight belts will be on the line – WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC. Beterbiev holds the WBO, WBC and IBF titles, while Bivol brings the WBA belt into the contest. Both fighters are undefeated.
Bivol, 33, has three wins since his big 2022 title defense against boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. His most recent victory came in June when he stopped Malik Zinad to retain his WBA title. Meanwhile, Beterbiev, 39, last fought in January, stopping Callum Smith.
