“Boxing Is Really Being Taken Over by MMA”: Fans Sound Off After Eddie Hearn’s Remarks About Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol ‘Money Fight’

While speaking to Akin ‘AK’ Reyes and Kamal Barak Bess during their show, The DAZN Boxing Show, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn shed some light on the possibilities of a fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. So first, he commended Anthony Yarde for displaying immense courage against heavy odds. However, the Matchroom boss acknowledged the impressive performance put on by Artur Beterbiev.

He remarked that the Canadian-Russian boxer was in complete control of the fight. Then he added that the former WBA Super Middleweight title holder Callum Smith is obligated by the WBC to face Artur Beterbiev.

Eddie Hearn on the current status of the potential Bivol vs. Beterbiev fight

For Bivol’s eagerness toward a bout with Beterbiev, he added, “You see in the build-ups to fights, people say, yeah, we want the undisputed fight. Let’s see if they’ve got the same energy now, because Dmitry Bivol is ready to fight Beterbiev, and it’s probably one of the biggest fights in boxing.”

Having said that, next, he pointed out Canelo Alvarez challenging Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed title at 168 pounds. The Matchroom boss stated a few permutations. Such as preferably seeing Callum Smith take on Beterbiev, possibly at Anfield in the early summer after Ramadan. Then, Dmitry Bivol could face Joshua Buatsi in the spring. Post-which, the former could compete against Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed title at 168 lbs.

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Once done, Bivol could immediately face either Beterbiev or Callum Smith for the undisputed title at 175 pounds.

“There’s so much that can happen. Listen, Bivol may want to go into an undisputed fight with Beterbiev. We’ve got Callum Smith, we’ve got Bivol, we’ve got Canelo Alvarez — this is where it gets really exciting because we’ve got some massive fights to be made at 175,” He said.

Michael Benson, the online boxing editor at talkSPORT, shared Hearn’s statements through his Twitter handle. It was enough to rouse a varied array of reactions from fans.

Fans band together around the possibility that they won’t get to see the battle they desire

@devsahni is confident that the two highly skilled and determined warriors can achieve their goal. Therefore, everyone will have the chance to enjoy a public and uninterrupted fight in the future.

@CloudAtlas_47 cited American sportswriter Dan Rafael who recently called the Bivol-Beterbiev fight wishful thinking. However, the crowd would be more willing to pay and watch this great fight.

@AlexHaworth89 instead questioned the Matchroom boss. He asked that the latter would rather have Callum Smith take on Beterbiev first, per common knowledge. So if that not being the case, is he putting all of his effort towards Bivol-Beterbiev?

@Square10273252 straightway got to the question and mentioned that Eddie Hearn should make this fight happen. Otherwise, mixed martial arts (MMA), where the possibility of the best meeting in their prime is high, would rapidly replace boxing.

According to @IbraheemJhanji, champion status has been held by both Beterbiev and Bivol for roughly the same amount of time. However, Beterbiev has unified it twice. Therefore, he’s the better fighter and the clear favorite to win.

A dejected @CrossJc1704340 said that boxing fans shouldn’t be so picky about the bouts they watch. According to him, they always seem to get the ones they don’t want and never get the ones they do.

The way things stand, the 168 to 175 lbs. group has everything every boxing fan looks forward to, which is a technically superb, lightning-fast bout. They will have to wait and see how it turns out in the upcoming months. They undoubtedly know Bivol and Beterbiev for their dominant performances and potent punches. Therefore, the possibility of this matchup is an enticing prospect for the sport. It will surely be thrilling and highly competitive if it comes to fruition.

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What is your take on Eddie Hearn’s remarks? Do share your views and opinions with us in the comments below.