Unified light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol is regarded as the very best at 175lbs, but there is a new player in the division who believes that he can be the first to knock the slick Russian out.

Bivol became the first fighter to take Artur Beterbiev the distance when the pair collided for the undisputed title back in October 2024, but it was Beterbiev who claimed a majority-decision win and made history by becoming the first undisputed light-heavyweight ruler of the four-belt era.

However, just four months later, Bivol became the second, as he avenged his solitary career defeat with a majority-decision triumph of his own before vacating the WBC belt – which subsequently fell into the hands of David Benavidez.

Now, after Bivol returned to action with a points win over Michael Eifert, it seems as though a trilogy showdown with Beterbiev is finally on the horizon, but the Russian-Canadian puncher is not the only knockout artist hoping to hand Bivol a first stoppage defeat.

Speaking to TalkSPORT Boxing, after a first-minute knockout of Sean Hemphill, Dutch light-heavyweight Gradus Kraus admitted that he cannot wait to face the likes of Bivol and knock them out.

“I want to make rounds, but you see I am too good for these guys and I know that I am the best in the world, I will be a future world champion. 

“I can’t wait to step up in the ring against [guys] like Bivol and then I will show the world that I also knock them out because my power is too much.”

Boxing News understands that Kraus, who now has 11 knockouts from 12 wins, will return to action in October, with former Bivol opponent Craig Richards amongst the names being considered as a potential opponent. 

Meanwhile, the unified champion has been ordered to face WBO mandatory challenger Callum Smith, though he may instead vacate the belt to make the third fight with Beterbiev.

Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly has been offered to Chelsea following the signing of Bruno Guimaraes. The Englishman has also been offered to Manchester United, who have been previously linked with him.

According to a report from Football London, Lewis-Skelly is looking to leave Arsenal after falling down the pecking order. The Gunners are yet to decide on him but are reportedly open to a sale.

The teenager, who signed a new deal at Emirates last summer, is unhappy with his minutes and is looking to leave. The left-back likes to play in the midfield and believes that he would not be getting enough chances under Mikel Arteta.

Lewis-Skelly has started all the pre-season matches this summer, as the manager waits for Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Guimaraes to join training. The Brazilian joined the club over the weekend, while the rest were on vacation after the FIFA World Cup.

Lee Dixon urged Lewis-Skelly to seek assurance over his minutes from Arteta this season, saying that the teenager would be starting at every other Premier League side. He claimed that the Englishman should be demanding minutes and said:

“At almost any other club, he’d be a starter. He was brilliant when he first broke in, lost his way a little bit, and now there’s that question of where he fits best. If I were him, I’d be having a proper one-on-one chat in Arteta’s office, asking, ‘How do you see me at the club? How do I develop into what you want me to be, or do I need to go elsewhere?’ Because if the plans don’t match up, you can spend four or five years drifting, and before you know it, you’re in your mid-20s, and half your career is gone.”

“He’s so good at flipping into midfield when he plays left-back, and he played a couple of Champions League games toward the end of last season where he was brilliant in midfield. It’s a really deep discussion they need to have together, and we’ll probably see at the start of the season where he fits in.”

Lewis-Skelly played just over 700 minutes in his 20 Premier League appearances last season. He was a part of the Chelsea academy, before moving to Arsenal when he was eight years old.

Will Arsenal sell Myles Lewis-Skelly to Chelsea?

Arsenal are reportedly open to selling Myles Lewis-Skelly, if they get the right offer. Chelsea seem unlikely as things stand, as their midfield is packed, and they have signed Valentin Barco, who plays a similar role.

Manchester United could be the ideal club for Lewis-Skelly, as the Red Devils are looking to sign a player who can operate as a left-back and a midfielder.