Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol to Test Their Mettle on June 1

Alalshikh and heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) were guests on The MMA Hour LIVE Special Edition hosted by Ariel Helwani. Moreover, Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) and his manager, Egis Klimas, were also in attendance. The group was talking about future dates for the Fury vs Usyk fight. Notably, the fight, which was initially scheduled for February 17, had to be postponed after Fury suffered a severe cut while sparring.

In conversation, Alalshikh revealed that a series of fights were scheduled in the meantime. This was when Helwani asked him about the status of Bivol vs Beterbiev. “First of June. This is the main event, and five fights between Eddie’s (Hearn) camp and Frank’s (Hearn) camp. They will choose, and each one will not know the fighter until we decide it,” Alalshikh said. “It will be something new.”

Helwani then asked Fury if his injury and the Beterbiev vs. Bivol announcement was a “blessing in disguise.” He mentioned that this would, in turn, give him more time as the Usyk fight was in quick succession to his fight against Francis Ngannou (17-3, 12 KOs). “No, it’s not a blessing in disguise. But I take God’s will as it comes. I was in fantastic shape, ready to fight. I was 100 percent confident that I was going to knock Usyk out,” Fury said.

“He’s Stronger”

Bivol, on the other hand, had previously expressed his excitement in a fight against Beterbiev. In fact, he was all praise for his future opponent, who he believes is his “hardest test” yet.

“Yeah, yeah. To be honest, I believe it’s the hardest test. Why? Because he’s stronger. I know he’s physically stronger than Canelo Álvarez, and he has good technique too,” he said while talking to The Matchroom Boxing Podcast.

Bivol also mentioned that he is a fan of “smart boxing” and wishes to fight boxers with a great ring IQ and aren’t afraid to use their skills.