ARTUR Beterbiev, 21-0 (20 KOs), established himself as the best light-heavyweight of this generation with a win over Dmitry Bivol, 23-1 (12 KOs), to claim the undisputed title back in October. However, he will have to repeat that victory on Saturday night to cement his position amongst the light-heavyweight greats.
Additionally, should the Canadian-Russian successfully defend his undisputed crown at the weekend, he would match the accomplishment of a proven light-heavyweight legend, one that has not been repeated in over 50 years.
Beterbiev became the first four-belt undisputed champion of the 175lb division when he edged out a razor-thin majority decision victory over Bivol just four months ago in one of the most competitive contests at the elite level in recent memory.
Yet, before what must now be considered as the Beterbiev era of the division, whether that lasts just four months or more, came the days of Roy Jones Jr, 66-10 (47 KOs), who made an astonishing seven defences of the WBA, WBC and IBF titles between 1999 and 2002.
Before him came the supremely talented Michael ‘Jinx’ Spinks, 31-1 (21 KOs), who overcame Dwight Muhammad Qawi to unify the WBA and WBC marbles before the inauguration of the IBF saw Spinks become the first three-belt light-heavyweight champion, making two defences of the belts before being stripped of the WBC strap after moving up and becoming a heavyweight world champion.
Finally, we arrive at one of just two two-time undisputed light-heavyweight champions, ‘The Deputy Sheriff’ Bob Foster, 56-8-1 (46 KOs), who reigned between 1968 – 1970 and 1972 – 1974, with a combined total of 10 defences of the WBA and WBC titles. However, a rare occurrence took place towards the end of Foster’s final reign.
Fresh from an unsuccessful move up to heavyweight to face Muhammad Ali, Foster returned back to light-heavyweight to defend his two titles against South Africa’s Pierre Fourie, 52-7-1 (10 KOs), who became just the second challenger in his division to survive the distance with Foster, losing a unanimous decision.
Regardless, the win was a conclusive one for the American and despite Fourie’s demands for a rematch, there seemed to be little need for one, especially considering the risk that comes with travelling to the challenger’s racially unstable backyard of South Africa as a Black world champion.
As always, a career-high payday proved to be enough for Foster to take part in what was the first contest between Black and white fighters in South Africa since they were outlawed almost 20 years prior. The promise that Black fans would be allowed to attend the event provided further reason for Foster to make the trip to away soil.
Once again, Foster was unable to stop Fourie and won another comfortable decision, albeit a closer one than their first encounter. Although the action in the ring may not have been as exciting or dramatic as some hoped, the impact it had outside of it makes it a turning point for racial hatred in sport.
Since that night at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg, no undisputed light-heavyweight champion has made back-to-back defences of his title against the same opponent, meaning Artur Beterbiev has the chance to break the 51-year streak by trumping Bivol for a second time in 19 weeks.
A similarly intriguing battle to their first meeting is anticipated, with the hard-hitting Beterbiev attempting to cope with the in-and-out style of Bivol – who many felt won the first fight, in a justified rematch in Riyadh this Saturday, as the pair top one of the most salivating bills this side of the millennium in the newfound home of big-time boxing.
