ON Saturday night boxing will crown an undisputed light-heavyweight champion when Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol collide in Riyadh.
The two are top of the 175lbs weight class and have been for some time but separating them is a difficult proposition.
This week there will be countless predictions, analysis and debate over what is a fascinating 50-50 fight where a strong argument can be made for either man. But what does the boxing industry think? Boxing News picked the brains of 14 individuals ranging from promoters to fighters to broadcasters.
Below are a brief selection and to watch more click on the video.
Ben Whittaker (Light-heavyweight contender and 2020 Olympic silver medallist)
โYouโll probably see interviews [where] Iโve swapped and changed. I was so strong on Beterbiev [and] Beterbiev will probably stop him. But now Iโve gone back to Bivol and I think Bivol. Bivolโs young, fresher, heโs stayed active, he can fight close, he can fight long and his fitness is good so Iโll edge more towards Bivol.โ
Shane McGuigan (Leading trainer)
โI just think Beterbiev is on better form. Bivol looked really, really good when he boxed Canelo and heโs been inactive a little bit and didnโt look good in his last one. Beterbiev looked a little bit flat and fragile just before he boxed Callum Johnson and then Johnson dropped him. Around that time he wasnโt looking at his best. Now heโs come into his own. People might say the Anthony Yarde fight was a competitive fight, it wasnโt really. He took his foot off the gas, fought in bursts and was very within himself that night. And then Callum Smithโฆ Callumโs a very good fighter so to do that to Callum Smithโฆ heโs [Beterbiev] on great form.
Jim Lampley (Leading commentator and pundit)
โItโs just a great fight. Itโs two terrific technicians. They both have power. I do think itโs logical to accord to Beterbiev and edge in punching power. It doesn’t necessarily mean heโs going to win the fight. The Bivol who out-boxed Canelo Alvarez, supremely confident, in command of his craft, able to choose other options besides the ones in front of him to continue succeeding in the late rounds. He can win that fight. Itโs a 50-50 fight. Canโt wait to see it.โ
Jai Opetaia (IBF cruiserweight world champion)
โThis is an awesome fight. Stylistically, the walk forward fighter against the guy that just keeps cutting angles. Itโs awesome. As a boxing fan and the science of the sportโฆ thereโs a lot of hype around the heavyweights because they hit so hard but this is a chess match and as the science of the boxing sports this is a great fight, a great matchup and Iโm honestly honoured to be a part of such a huge fight like this. Any real boxing fan that knows the styles and the statistics [knows] this fightโs massive.โ