Article first appeared on AndysBetClub.co.uk
On Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, the opening night of the new Riyadh season, two of boxing’s most gifted fighters are in pursuit of the first undisputed Light-Heavyweight title since 1999.
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol also put on the line long unbeaten records in their quest to secure a career defining victory in a bout that is both hotly anticipated and the culmination of a decade as rivals.
Beterbiev is EVENS with BetFair, Bivol a narrow 4/5 Favourite on Outright markets. Odds reflective of how closely matched the two men are.
For those inclined to bet on boxing, the show features a raft of British interest on the under card. Here are four picks to consider.
175lbs Undisputed Light-Heavyweight title
Artur Beterbiev 20-0 (20ko) v Dmitry Bivol 23-0 (12ko)
IBF/WBC/WBO Champion WBA Champion
For the first time since the impervious Roy Jones Jnr., one of boxing’s traditional weight divisions will crown an undisputed champion in a match up that is the perfect marriage of being historically significant and an outstanding contest in prospect.
The combatants two styles should mesh perfectly. Beterbiev’s relentless aggression, knockout power and accuracy in offence versus Bivol’s more measured methods; utilising an outstanding jab, smoother boxing ability and efficient movement.
Both men box from an Orthodox stance and will believe they have the tools to triumph. There is barely a variance in reach or height and the two debuted as professionals within the same twelve months. In simplistic terms, the fight is a classic puncher versus boxer match up. And it is hard to choose a winner with certainty. Can Beterbiev negotiate Bivol’s outstanding jab to land his destructive power shots? Or will Bivol’s control, precision, calmness and relative youth – he’s 33 to Beterbiev’s 39 – see him through?
It is a genuine 50-50 fight and building an accumulator featuring a pick is loaded with corresponding risk. In the search for a defining advantage, I like Bivol’s greater activity, he boxed during the summer when the original date for this fight was scuppered by a Berterbiev knee injury and is the younger of the two. If anyone can negate Beterbiev’s power and see the final bell, Bivol is the most qualified to succeed. To achieve that, Bivol will likely have won rounds behind the jab and frustrated the predator. A distance fight offers 4/6 odds with BetFair, which is a value pick over the 6/5 Bivol Points win which also tempts.
Fight to go the distance. 4/6 Betfair
Heavyweight – British Title
Fabio Wardley 17-0-1 (16ko) v Frazer Clarke 8-0-1 (6ko)
Champion
These two big men produced an enthralling, blood-soaked thriller back in March. Providing further proof of the British title’s enduring ability to provide outstanding action and illicit from those who battle for it some of the best performances of their careers.
Wardley retained his belt by virtue of a Split Draw, fighting through a busted nose from the second round and spilling a pitcher or two of blood over the ensuing rounds. He dropped Clarke in the fifth and shook him on numerous occasions, but Clarke showed grit and rallied to fight himself, and his younger opponent, to a virtual standstill.
Their relative strengths and flaws created a beautifully ugly contest that outstripped expectations. A rematch is unlikely to vary significantly from the original. Clarke will be better for the competitive 12 rounds in a previously stagnating career, Wardley may be embolden by the knowledge he can hurt the challenger.
Wardley is a narrow favourite in the region of 8/11 at the time of writing but the prospect of another 12-round distance, available at 7/4, is a cautious, but attractive pick. BetFair’s market leading 16/1 for a second draw isn’t enough to tempt. The Over 9.5 rounds at 10/11 offers a path for even greater caution as it protects against a late fatigue induced collapse from either man.
Over 9.5 rounds at 10/11 with Betfair
200lbs IBF Cruiserweight World Title
Jai Opetaia v Jack Massey
Champion
If there is to be an upset victory on Saturday night, Jack Massey overcoming the IBF Champion – a man with fast and destructive hands – would surely be the biggest.
Opetaia, 25-0 (19ko) is a Southpaw fighter in hot-form and seen as the present and future of the Cruiserweight division with many believing he may yet prove a force at heavyweight. His two decision wins over teak-tough Mairis Breidis are highlights on a ledger in need of improved activity and competition. At 29, Opetaia is at the peak of his powers as demonstrated in devastating wins over less illustrious fighters.
Massey, 22-2 (12ko) is big, strong and rugged, and performed creditably when booked as an opponent at heavyweight for a rebounding Joseph Parker – a former world-title holder – and it is that showing, and his upset win to secure the European title against Isaac Chamberlain, that romantics may afford Massey hope. It will prove misplaced.
Expect Massey to be organised and tough but back Opetaia’s hand speed, fluid Southpaw style and ability to finish fights to score an eye-catching stoppage win. An early win pick may under-estimate Massey, so caution advocated, but Opetaia has the ability to dismantle him in a way an unmotivated Parker couldn’t.
Opetaia to win Rounds 1-6 at 13/8
Middleweight – IBO World Title
Chris Eubank Jnr v Kamil Szeremeta
Another fight with a prohibitive favourite in which value for punters is hard to find. Eubank has been a mercurial figure, and this bout represents another ‘comeback’ of sorts following a year out of the ring.
Now in his mid-thirties the son of former Super-middleweight champion Chris Eubank no longer has the veil of youth to throw over his erratic career. It is now or never.
He boxes a durable and well-travelled opponent who he should have the speed and technical ability to outwork and beat. But there are no certainties with older fighters shaking off ring rust. This is Eubank’s fourth fight in three years.
What is most likely is that Eubank, 33-3 (24ko) will enjoy at least one moment of brilliance and put the game Szeremeta down, whether early or late. A stoppage is harder to be certain of, Szeremeta is scrappy, Eubank often postures and has had poor displays at Middleweight and could opt to box rounds rather than pursue an early finish ahead of harder fights in 2025.
Over options are not widely available. In losses at Middleweight Szeremeta 25-2-2 (8ko) retired on his stool in 6 and 7 to Munguia and Golovkin. Eubank isn’t as good as that pairing, but Szeremeta is older, Eubank quicker. Rounds 5-8 for Eubank are available at 2-1 and is a worthy of consideration. But ½ on Eubank by TKO or disqualification has value and considers the intangibles in play.
Eubank to win by KO/TKO/Disqualification at ½
These four picks offer a 11.53/1 accumulator. Bolder choices to stretch those returns, outlined above, could be considered.
BOXINGWRITER.CO.UK 
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