Artur Beterbiev, the undisputed light heavyweight champion, has achieved remarkable success in the boxing ring. At 39 years old, he claims not to be a big fan of the sport. On February 22nd, he will face rival Dmitry Bivol in a highly anticipated rematch. This fight will settle the debate about who is the best in the light heavyweight division.

Uncovering the Contradictions in a Boxing Champion's Passion

Boxing Success vs. Personal Feelings

Artur Beterbiev's journey to boxing greatness is a fascinating one. Despite achieving unparalleled success, he openly admits that he is not a fan of the sport. This contradiction raises questions about what truly drives a champion. His last encounter with Dmitry Bivol was a brutal battle, with each fighter landing heavy blows. Many thought Bivol had won, but the scorecard declared Beterbiev the winner via a majority decision. This shows the unpredictability and intensity of boxing.In an interview with Zeeshan Ali on his YouTube channel Smile2Jannah, Beterbiev revealed his unique perspective on boxing. When asked about his dream fight against someone from boxing history, his answer shocked many. He stated, "I'm not really [a] fan of boxing. And I am not dreaming about fighting someone. This is like my job—I don't like my job. I'm not [a] fan of this sport." This statement challenges the common belief that one must love what they do to excel.

The Dream Beyond Boxing

So, what does Beterbiev dream about? He revealed that he has even greater aspirations. He dreams of living in this "Dunia" to earn—or how can I say that—to get Akhirah, Jannah. The term 'Dunia' refers to the world, and 'Akhirah' is an Arabic term that refers to the afterlife or 'the Hereafter.' It is a core belief in Islam and is central to both Sunni and Shi'a Islam. And 'Jannah' basically means heaven. This shows that Beterbiev's motivation goes beyond the ring. He is driven by a desire to earn a place in heaven.Interestingly, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has also expressed similar views. He doesn't like the life of a basketball player and the fame that comes with it. He said, "Being famous, I think some people like it. I don't, really. When I finish my career, I really wish nobody knows me, and I really wish my kid, or kids in the future, really remember me as a dad, not as a basketball player." This similarity between Beterbiev and Jokić has led to Beterbiev being branded 'the Jokić of boxing' on Instagram.

Pay-Per-View Details and Boxing's Future

The highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will headline Saudi Arabia's star-studded boxing megacard on February 22, 2025. The pay-per-view pricing is surprisingly affordable, with costs capped at $25.99 USD globally and £19.99 in the UK. This shows Saudi Arabia's commitment to making elite boxing more accessible.The main event is part of a lineup that is being hailed as one of boxing's greatest cards, featuring Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker as the co-main event, alongside bouts involving Shakur Stevenson, Zhilei Zhang, and Vergil Ortiz Jr. All major titles and reputations are on the line.It appears that Artur Beterbiev proves that you don't have to love what you do to be great at it. All it takes is hard work and determination. However, it is surprising to learn that Beterbiev treats the sport like a 9 to 5 job. But does that make him similar to Nikola Jokić? Only time will tell.