Dmitry Bivol makes defence number 10 of his WBA light-heavyweight world crown this Saturday as he takes on IBO champion Lyndon Arthur.

Double digits in defences is some feat. Yet in his six-year reign, it was only his 2022 double over Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez that irrevocably cemented claims Bivol was a truly elite fighter.

On Saturday, he fights with the aim of closing out a static 2023. Granted, this isn’t the Arthur that the fans want, and for all intents and purposes, not the Arthur that Bivol wants either.

I am, of course, talking about the beast himself - Artur Beterbiev.

The undisputed clash between the pair tops every fight fans’ list for 2024. In fact, it was in Riyadh that the pair faced-off for the world’s media in October, as the boxing fraternity came together for a gala dinner on the Fury-Ngannou fight week.

Anyway, enough of that.

All undisputed talk discredits any threat coming from Arthur who, with a stiff jab, steady boxing IQ and no fear, will fancy his chances of a monumental upset.

It would be exactly that too. Arthur is unquestionably sublevels below Bivol, who may well be eyeing up his first win inside the distance in five years.

An arrogant thought process maybe, but Arthur is liable to a leaky defence, which with Bivol’s high-volume punching style, makes for a nightmare recipe for the Brit.

And, as much as we can credit Arthur for a brilliant jab, Bivol’s is arguably the best in the entire sport. Not only is the technique and timing flawless, but his ability to position himself in the right space before throwing it allows him to follow up swiftly with his heavier stuff.

It is a beautiful yet brutal work of art.

Oh, and he can take a serious shot too, just ask Joe Smith Jr.

I reluctantly feel that this might be just a touch one-sided. Neither a shutout nor a submission of punishment would surprise me.

Bivol, it has to be said, is just too good.

Oscar Bevis