Buffalo vs. Beterbiev II: Fear or struggle?

Dmitry Bivol is working on his strength to improve and increase his power for his rematch with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev on February 22 in Riyadh.

Beterbiev defeated Bivol by 12-round majority decision two months ago, but is getting a second chance because of complaints from fans and Dmitry’s promoters. There was no real controversy. In short, Bivol’s nerves failed him and he did not want to fight Beterbiev.

Beterbiev had dominated and earned an 8-4 victory. I watched the fight and had it 9-3 for Beterbiev.

The Scores

115-113: Beterbiev
114-114
116-112: Beterbiev

second round

Dmitry looked like one scared rabbit in the previous fight and was not willing to fight him wolf-like Beterbiev when pressed in the sixth round. It’s hard to imagine the rematch being any different than the first fight because Bivol doesn’t have the chin, the power, and more importantly, the guts to fight Beterbiev.

Dmitry talks about wanting to be more aggressive for the second contest, but when he steps into the ring with Beterbiev and the artillery starts raining down on his position, Bivol’s fear will resurface. He will then run around the ring like last time, making the fans look bored. He has no heart to fight.

Former WBA 175-pound champion Bivol (23-1, 14 KOs) was deficient in his power game in his 12-round majority decision loss to Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) ago two months on October 12. You must build in this area if you want to win the rematch.

Turki Al-Shiekh has given Bivol a chance to avenge his loss, but if he defeats him this time, he will have run out of opportunities. Its promoters and loyal followers he was devastated by the loss last October, believing he had done enough to win, but he hadn’t.

Ideally, another opponent should have allowed himself to challenge Beterbiev instead of bringing him back with an unnecessary rematch. The boxing world would have preferred David Benavidez, Joshua Buatsi or David Morrell to face Beterbiev instead of the defensive-minded Bivol getting another shot.

Bivol adjustments

The Beterbiev-Bivol fight was boring because of the defensive style that Bivol brought to the fight, which involved him using Shakur-style backstepping, movement and three-foot hooking. Beterbiev spent the entire fight attacking and chasing Bivol like a rabbit around the ring.

Bivol, 34, ran away as Beterbiev began to press him in the second half of the contest. He showed he wanted no part in mixing it up with the undefeated unified champion.

What must Bivol do to win the rematch

– Stay in your pocket: don’t run
– Be brave
– Peck more
– Attack the body
– Limit movement

Bivol isn’t young at 34, and he can’t move for 12 straight rounds to avoid Beterbiev’s attacks. We saw that last time they fought, and it cost him when he came out gassed for his decision to run when pressed by Artur.

Bivol level up for the rematch 📈#BetterbievBivol2 | #Riyadh season | February 22, live on DAZN | @Turki_alalshikh

📸 @bivol_d pic.twitter.com/yjXFzgaHB7

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 31, 2024