The WBA champion will finally face the light-heavyweight in the ring on Saturday (12.10.24) and while their bout has sparked debate over "boxes versus puncher" styles, the Russian doesn't think they are too different.

He told Boxing News magazine: "People know me as a good technician, technical fighter and he's a big puncher.

"But also, he's a good fighter. Also he has good boxing IQ. And also I have a punch also.

"Yeah, we have some specific styles and it makes the fight more interesting, but at the same time I also have some qualities which he has, and he has some qualities that I have.

"I mean about the power, about boxing IQ, about movement, about experience – we both have it."

The boxers were originally supposed to face one another in June but Beterbiev withdrew a month before due to a serious knee injury, leading Bivol to fight Malik Zinad instead.

However, the fighter insisted he wasn't too worried about who his opponent would be.

He said: "To be honest, it wasn't bothering me too much because when I heard that he was injured, I just asked, 'What's for me?' Of course. 'What's for me? Do you have another fight?'

"And I'm just focused on another fight.

"After that fight finished, I focused again on Beterbiev. No problem. You know, I'm trying to be always focused on my fights.

"Doesn't matter if it is undisputed fight or any other fight. I'm just trying to be focused, always."