Exclusive: Eddie Hearn labels Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol 'the best fight in boxing' - 'Doesn't get any bigger'
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/02/image-dfe2a7b1-16b3-40a7-aa20-5e002e65941a-68-310-310.jpeg)
Updated 09/10/2024 at 17:20 GMT+1
Anticipation is building ahead of Saturday's titanic fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh. The winner will become the first undisputed light heavyweight champion for a quarter of a century, and Eddie Hearn told TNT Sports that it is "the best fight in boxing". He also described the fighters as "two machines" after their refusal to engage in pre-fight trash talk.
Hearn on Beterbiev v Bivol, Wardley v Clarke, and AJ future
Video credit: TNT Sports
Eddie Hearn says “it doesn’t get any bigger” than Saturday’s blockbuster unified title bout between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, describing it as “the best fight in boxing".
The two undefeated Russians will put their belts and reputations on the line in Riyadh, live on TNT Sports Box Office, with the winner set to become the first undisputed light heavyweight world champion for 25 years.
Bivol (23-0) holds the WBA belt, while Beterbiev (20-0) is the WBC, IBF and WBO champion and boasts a 100% knockout rate in his professional career.
It promises to be a fight for the ages, and Hearn sat down with TNT Sports to explain what makes the night so special.
“For me, it’s the best fight in boxing,” said Hearn.
“This one you don’t have to sell to fight fans. They know. The educated fight fans, the casual fight fans, it doesn’t really matter.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/10/08/4049734-82132328-2560-1440.jpg)
'Don’t miss this fight’ – Beterbiev promises excitement but refuses to predict a winner
Video credit: TNT Sports
“The wider world needs to know just how great this fight is: two undefeated world champions, every belt in boxing on the line, the glory, the ownership of the light heavyweight division. It doesn’t get any bigger.”
Fight fans might be impatiently awaiting the action in the ring as they have been offered little in the way of pre-fight animosity between the pair.
Both boxers have shown little to no interest in engaging in a war of words, with Bivol telling TNT Sports that the fight is “just business” and Beterbiev saying “I’ve never done trash talk in my career and don’t want to start now.”
- 'Not my enemy, not my friend' - Bivol aiming to 'keep personal emotions out' against Beterbiev
- 'It is a little secret' - Beterbiev hints at plan to defeat Bivol and become undisputed champion
“You’ve got two machines; some might say robots,” Hearn said of the lack of pre-fight beef between the pair.
“I’ve known Dmitry and represented him for many, many years. He’s a man of few words. He’s a good character and quite amusing, but all business.
“Beterbiev is super cold. As he’s got older, he’s talked less.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/10/08/4049735-82132348-2560-1440.jpg)
‘We can't make predictions’ – Bivol says he “doesn't know” if he will beat 'great fighter' Beterbiev
Video credit: TNT Sports
“(Look at) the last press conference. Imagine flying a guy over with about eight members of his team, spending about 50 bags (£50,000).
“Then he rocks up to the table and you say ‘Artur, tell us what is going to happen in Riyadh?’ ‘Nothing to say’. Thanks very much mate!
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/10/08/4049546-82128573-2560-1440.jpg)
Beterbiev v Bivol is 'extra, extra special' fight - Warren
Video credit: TNT Sports
“Your prediction for the fight? ‘We shall see’. Brilliant. Thanks for coming. And Dmitry just with a couple more sentences.
“You’re just not going to get these guys going at it. But when the bell rings, you can never be disappointed. That’s the key with this fight.
- Riyadh Season Opening Ceremony: How to watch Beterbiev v Bivol live on TNT Sports and discovery+
- Opetaia’s IBF title on the line against Massey on Beterbiev v Bivol undercard
“There is no way this fight can be anything but compelling. To be honest, they don’t really need all that rubbish. They are two guys who are going to go about their business in a very cold fashion.”
The two fighters have known each other for a long time, having competed in the same Russian national team as amateurs.
Bivol described Beterbiev as “not my enemy and not my friend,” but Hearn believes there is more than meets the eye when it comes to their past.
“I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, but I heard that when they were on a training camp for the Russian team, that Beterbiev nicked Bivol’s lunch at one point. So it runs deep, this goes back a long way,” Hearn said.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/10/08/4049733-82132308-2560-1440.jpg)
‘I find it quite arrogant’ - Hearn calls Beterbiev's reserved demeanour ‘disrespectful’
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch Beterbiev v Bivol
Beterbiev v Bivol on TNT Sports Box Office costs £19.99 in the UK and can be watched on discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video and Virgin Media TV. You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.
discovery+ - TNT Sports Box Office events are available to purchase and watch in the discovery+ app – on smart TV’s, computer or mobile device, viewers wanting to watch the fight should visit https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/ppv-purchases and follow instructions to subscribe and then purchase the event.
EE TV - Customers can purchase the event via their STB on channel 494.
Prime Video - Customers do not need to have a Prime or discovery+ subscription to access this event. You can find live and upcoming PPV events in the “Live and upcoming events” row on the Prime Video homepage and sports page, or by searching for a specific event title.
Virgin Media TV - Customers with a TiVo and/or V6 set-top-box should visit the On-Demand section and choose Live Events; customers with a Virgin TV 360 and/or Stream set-top-box should go to the Pay Per View events rail.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement