The boxer will face his Russian compatriot in Saturday's (12.10.24) light heavyweight world title fight and insists that the clash between the two undefeated competitors is "just business" for him.

Bivol told TNTSports: "It’s just business. I don’t have anything personal with him.

"He’s not my enemy, he’s not my friend. He is just a good fighter who I respect. What he’s doing in the ring is good. I want to check my skills. I want to win this great fight.

"I’m trying to keep personal emotions out of the job… we are professional fighters and if you are really a pro, you have to put your emotions out of the business."

The two men were team-mates in the Russian national team as amateurs but Bivol did not pick up any skills from his opponent - who has a 100 per cent knock out rate in his professional career.

He said: "I didn’t copy him at all because it’s different styles.

"I was watching him, how he was doing with the other guys. I was watching and learning how it could be, but I didn’t use it or try it."

The bout between Bivol and Beterbiev is hotly-anticipated by boxing fans and promoter Eddie Hearn has described it as the "best fight" in the sport.

He said: "For me, it’s the best fight in boxing.

"This one you don’t have to sell to fight fans. They know. The educated fight fans, the casual fight fans, it doesn’t really matter.

"The wider world needs to know just how great this fight is: two undefeated world champions, every belt in boxing on the line, the glory, the ownership of the light heavyweight division. It doesn’t get any bigger."