Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol prediction, odds, start time and how to watch

• Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol goes down on Saturday, October 12th
• The latest boxing odds slightly favor Bivol at -125
• Read Beterbiev vs Bivol prediction, odds and story below

The boxing match we’ve all been waiting for is finally happening. Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, two of the most dominant forces in the light heavyweight division, will face off on October 12, 2024 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This unification struggle has been simmering for years and on Saturday it will all become reality. The betting providers in Vegas have made their decision

Here is our Beterbiev vs. Bivol prediction and boxing odds breakdown.

Battle details

• Date: October 12, 2024
• Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Main Event Start Time: Approximately 6:00 p.m. ET
• How to watch: ESPN+ (main event), DAZN PPV ($19.99) for undercard fights

Beterbiev vs Bivol odds

The oddsmakers have Dmitry Bivol as the slight favorite at -130, meaning a $130 bet would return a profit of $100. Artur Beterbiev is the underdog at +110 odds, where a $100 bet would return a profit of $110.

Odds as of October 12, 2024 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Unlock DraftKings promo code to bet on Beterbiev vs. Bivol.

The undercard

Before we get to the main course, let’s take a quick look at the sub-menu. It’s packed with talent, including Jai Opetaia defending his IBF cruiserweight title against Jack Massey.

• Jai Opetaia (c) vs. Jack Massey for the IBF cruiserweight title
• Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke in a heavyweight bout
• Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta in a middleweight bout
• Skye Nicolson (c) vs. Raven Chapman for the WBC featherweight title
• Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron in a light heavyweight contest

Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke battle it out in the heavyweight division, while Chris Eubank Jr. takes on Kamil Szeremeta in the middleweight division.

Skye Nicolson will also put her WBC featherweight title on the line against Raven Chapman, while Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron will face off at light heavyweight.

Artur Beterbiev: The Knockout Artist

Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is a name that strikes fear into every opponent who faces him. With a perfect record and an unsurpassed knockout rate, the unified IBF, WBC and WBO champ has proven time and again that he is a force to be reckoned with.

Beterbiev’s strength is legendary and he is dedicated to stopping even the toughest challengers. It doesn’t surprise me that oddsmakers are giving him some respect in Saturday’s boxing odds.

🚨This kind of power has never been seen in boxing. Artur Beterbiev bench presses 50kg dumbbells in each hand. pic.twitter.com/psLIAuUY76

— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) October 11, 2024

But here’s the thing: Beterbiev is 39 years old and has a knee injury that required surgery. That’s enough to make even the most confident fighter a little nervous. Given his age and injury history, will Beterbiev be able to keep up with an experienced technician like Bivol? This is a question that many people ask themselves.

Beterbiev’s recent victories over the likes of Anthony Yarde and Callum Smith have shown that he still has a lot of fighting spirit left in him. But Bivol presents a unique challenge and Beterbiev will need to be at his best if he is to emerge victorious.

Dmitry Bivol: The Technical Wizard

Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) has made a name for himself as one of the most technically accomplished boxers today. Since 2017, Bivol has held the WBA light heavyweight title, proving his ability to outwork anyone who steps into the ring with him.

Bivol’s big moment came in 2022 when he outclassed Canelo Alvarez, handing the Mexican superstar only his second career defeat. This performance put Bivol at the top, and he will look to do the same against Beterbiev.

Bivol’s greatest strengths lie in his footwork, his ability to control distance and his precise punches. He is a master of the sweet science and must rely on these skills if he is to neutralize Beterbiev’s power and avoid getting caught up in a brawl.

In his last fight, Bivol made quick work of Malik Zinad, stopping him in the 6th round. It was a reminder that Bivol isn’t just a points fighter – he can finish a fight if given the opportunity.

Beterbiev vs. Bivol Tale of the Tape

Beterbiev vs Bivol prediction

I’ve gone back and forth on this. It’s a true 50-50 fight, and you could make a compelling case for either one to emerge victorious. The oddsmakers have Bivol as a slight favorite (-130) over Beterbiev (+110), and I think they’re right.

When I look at this duel, for me Bivol’s youth, his speed and his technical ability are the deciding factors. He has the footwork to stay out of Beterbiev’s reach, the jab to disrupt his rhythm, and the ring IQ to make the necessary adjustments as the fight progresses.

That doesn’t mean Beterbiev doesn’t have a chance. His power is a great equalizer and if he can land cleanly he could score an injury-time win. But I think Bivol’s defense and movement will make him a difficult target and he will be able to pick up points as the rounds progress.

My prediction is for Bivol to win via unanimous decision in a close match. He will use his technical skills to outsmart Beterbiev and secure victory, but he must remain vigilant throughout all 12 rounds. One mistake could be enough for Beterbiev to turn the tide.

Saturday boxing selection:

• Bivol by unanimous decision (+180 at DK)