Boxer Lionel Thompson was once hit by a car – but he says fighting Artur Beterbiev was just as bad.
Beterbiev is the only world champion in boxing to have a 100 percent knockout ratio and has stopped all 20 of his opponents.
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This Saturday he faces his biggest challenge yet in 23-0 Dmitry Bivol in the light-heavyweight undisputed title decider.
Beterbiev strikes fear in every man he shares the ring with.
And American Thompson has been brave enough to repeatedly attend the Russians’ training camps over the years.
But in a 2018 interview fighthypeHe exposed the harsh reality of facing Beterbiev’s force.
He said: “This is the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol is a beauty and the beast tale between a boxing poet and a terrifying KO artist.“I got hit by a car once when I was little and arguing with him feels like that. I’m just being honest.”
Brit Dan Aziz, 35, confirms Thompson’s claim, even though Beterbiev wears a giant 20-ounce glove.
he said pro boxing fan After being told of Thompson’s car crash comparison: “He’s not exaggerating, you know! I’m telling you.
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“You know what’s weird? This guy wears a 20-ounce, you think it has more padding but it has more force because it’s a bigger glove.”
The 39-year-old Beterbiev holds the WBC, IBF and WBO titles at 175 pounds and had stopped Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde in his last two fights.
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Bivol is the WBA champion, having defeated Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez in 2022.
