Dmitry Bivol will defeat Artur Beterbiev to set up colossal trilogy fight

Saturday will see one of the most stacked boxing cards in history take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with seven world title fights set to be contested at the latest Riyadh Season boxing event.

Topping the card is a rematch for the undisputed light heavyweight championship of the world, as Artur Beterbiev takes on Dmitry Bivol in a rematch that has captured the imagination of the boxing world.

One particuarly interested spectator will be former WBA super-middleweight world champion George Groves who, in his role as a boxing pundit, shared his views on some of the upcoming clashes.

“It’s only four months since the first match, isn’t it? So it’s a quick turnaround. I think Bivol wins, though,” Groves told Casinobeats.com.

“I think it will be close again, but I think Bivol wins and then we see the trilogy.

“Both guys were cautious of each other’s ability and each other’s punch power in the first fight. Both guys showed each other a lot of respect, and therefore we didn’t get the best version of that fight. This one should be more lively.”

Groves said that Bivol may feel like he has a point to prove, not just as a result of the first fight between the pair, but also down to the way he was treated at the recent Ring Magazine Awards, where Groves suggested the former champion was somewhat sidelined in favour of his opponent at the event.

“I wonder what Bivol is feeling,” mused Groves.

“Does he feel like he’s been left out in the cold? Because that’s what happens in boxing, the winners get celebrated. The losers get another fight.

“I went to the Ring Awards ceremony and Beterbiev was on the main table and Bivol was sat off to the side.

“A lot of times he was there on his own. (He) really sort of looked a little bit lost.”

Groves also weighed in on two of the other big bouts on the stellar Riyadh Season card, as he suggested that Daniel Dubois would do well to match his performance against Anthony Joshua, and may already have shown us the very best he can accomplish inside a boxing ring.

“He must have frightening power,” he said.

“I think I’ll still make Daniel Dubois a favourite, but that is a really close fight, I can’t pick the winner.

“That Joshua win may always be his biggest moment. He might end up having better performances, or beating bigger names, but there’ll be nothing in his life that will be what that was.”

And Groves also had some words of support for rising star Hamzah Sheeraz, who takes on Carlos Adames for the WBC middleweight title this weekend in Riyadh.

“Hamzah Sheeraz of late, I feel has been one of the most improved fighters in British boxing,” he said.

“He’s risen to the occasion time and time again, he carries himself like a champion now. I think he’s definitely a future world champion.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes and does a really good job. When he puts his shots together and he gets the guys hurt, he’s good at closing the show. So, I’d back him for a stoppage win.”