Broadcast details for the undisputed light heavyweight showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol continue to confuse fans.
Conditions have remained unchanged since the organizers postponed the event from June 1. Back then, Beterbiev vs. Bivol was to be televised free to ESPN+ subscribers due to Top Rank’s involvement. The promotional company insisted on the move when TR agreed to stage the fight during the Riyadh season in Saudi Arabia.
The previous undercard was topped by Zhilei Zhang vs. Deontay Wilder and the 5 vs 5, which eventually became a standalone DAZN Pay-Per-View. This scenario will remain the case for the rest of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol card, now headed by Shakur Stevenson vs. Joe Cordina.
Here’s where fans raised questions. Some asked how it would work despite an explanation given earlier this year. ESPN+ subscribers can watch the main event only for free. If they want to watch the rest of the bill, including Stevenson vs. Cordina, they will have to purchase and view the card on DAZN. Doing this would allow purchasers to watch the main event on DAZN without switching channels.
Beterbiev puts his 20-0, 20 KOs record and WBC, WBO, and IBF belts on the line against WBA ruler Bivol, who boasts a 23-0, 12 KOs record and a victory over Canelo Alvarez. The event occurs on Saturday, October 12, at Kingdom Arena.
This can’t-miss matchup features two of the world’s best pound-for-pound practitioners, a long-awaited duel between a master boxer and a battering ram with a 100 percent knockout ratio. Additionally, Beterbiev vs. Bivol will be promoted by Top Rank, Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, Matchroom Boxing, and Sela.
“The epic matchup has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait until these two legends of the ring meet,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “I am thrilled that American fans can view the fight on ESPN+, a tremendous platform that consistently shows the biggest and best bouts.”
Beterbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus in training. Organizers were left with no choice but to push the fight back. Bivol fought Malik Zinad on that date instead, scoring a devastating sixth-round TKO. Beterbiev last fought in January, knocking out British former super middleweight world champion Callum Smith.
Beterbiev vs Bivol – Full card for October 12
Four-crown Showdown
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
[Undisputed light-heavyweight title]
Shakur Stevenson vs Joe Cordina
[WBC lightweight title]
Chris Eubank Jr. vs Kamil Szeremeta
Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke II
Jai Opetaia vs Jack Massey
Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron
Skye Nicholson vs Raven Chapman
Mohammed Alakel vs Jesus Gonzalez
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
