Beterbiev vs. Bivol: Eddie Hearn Reflects on Riyadh Season Success and Looks to October 12

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, October 12, Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) will face Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) in the highly anticipated undisputed light heavyweight clash. These two talented pugilists will lock horns in this fascinating clash, backed by a stacked undercard featuring Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke. Fight fans can catch the action on DAZN PPV, TNT PPV, and Sky Sports Box Office, while those in the United States will also have the option of watching the main event on ESPN+.

Ahead of fight night, Eddie Hearn has spoken to the Matchroom Boxing podcast about the success of Riyadh Season in boxing, the relationship between Queensberry and Matchroom and the generational fight between Bivol and Beterbiev.

Eddie Hearn Reflects on Whirlwind Year and Talks Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol

Queensberry and Matchroom

Reflecting on the Riyadh Season involvement in boxing, Hearn said: “Yeah, I mean, it’s been a whirlwind, to say the least. You know, going back to the Tyson Fury and Ngannou card, which we weren’t involved with.”

He continued: “And you know, we had an event the same night in Mexico and, you know, it’s only really when I saw the scale of that event, you know, saw the fight night, the fight week and I realised that there was a new movement in boxing.”

Read More: Dmitry Bivol Exclusive: Talks Final Preparations and Beterbiev’s Power Ahead of Saudi Clash

Hearn added: “And it was one that, as I said to His Excellency, we needed to be on the train for and what we’ve seen has definitely been the most enjoyable year of my career in boxing because it‘s been so refreshing to see the big fights get made.”

Discussing the new promotional harmony in boxing: “When I look at the relationship between Matchroom and Queensberry, you know there’s another fight that by the time this goes out will either be announced or will be announced shortly, and I can’t actually quite believe what’s happened,” said Hearn.

He added: “But for me, it’s just really reinvigorated my passion for the sport and my love to see the best fights.”

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol

When asked about the fascinating fight on October 12 between Bivol and Beterbiev, Hearn said: “You know, I look at this weekend with Bivol-Beterbiev, for me, I don’t think there’s a better fight in boxing.”

He added: “Bivol-Beterbiev is just one of the greatest, purest fights in the sport.”

Read More: Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: Roy Jones Jr. Reveals His Prediction

Eddie Hearn then described the undisputed light heavyweight clash as a “Generational fight.”

“This is the fight that makes you a generational great. Both fighters will go down as pound-for-pound great fighters, but this is the win that gives you generational greatness,” added Hearn.

Hearn summed up this titanic clash perfectly when he said: “No one knows how this fights going to play out, and it can only be a thriller.”