ESPN+ to carry Beterbiev vs Bivol main event stateside

Shakur Stevenson vs Joe Cordina headlines the PPV portion

American viewers uninterested in paying for Artur Beterbiev’s and Dmitry Bivol’s supporting cast are in luck, as Top Rank announced today that ESPN+ will carry a one-fight broadcast of the main event.

The rest of the lineup, led by Shakur Stevenson vs Joe Cordina, reportedly runs for $15.

Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO), who withdrew from the original June date due to a torn meniscus, is gearing up for his first multi-fight calendar year since 2021. He last saw action in January, clubbing Callum Smith into submission in front of the Quebecois faithful.

Bivol (23-0, 12 KO) is in a similar boat, going one-and-done in 2023 with a decision over Lyndon Arthur before ending a nine-fight stoppage drought by flattening late replacement Malik Zinad.

It’s a goofy arrangement to be sure, but between the weak undercard and Lays-esque ratio of empty air to action these events tend to produce, I can’t really complain.