Artur Beterbiev 40 years: Bivol Rematch Next

Artur Beterbiev turned 40 today, heading into a title defense of his undisputed light heavyweight championship against Dmitry Bivol on February 22 in Riyadh.

Bivol’s get a second chance due to complaints from fans and his promoter about his loss. It seemed like a fair decision. Beterbiev wanted it more, and Bivol was only interested in trying not to get knocked out. When you run like Bivol, you don’t win. It’s simple.

The ageless champion

Despite undergoing knee surgery for a torn meniscus in May 2024, Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) looked the younger and fresher fighter and defeated WBA champion Bivol (23- 1, 12 KOs) on October 12.

The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. Fighting on only one good leg, Beterbiev chased Bivol around the ring and looked like a dog chasing a scared cat. Bivol, with two healthy legs, had no fight in him.

Physically, Beterbiev looks younger than Bivol, who has looked emaciated since their previous fight. You can see bags under both eyes of the 34-year-old Bivol, and he has the look of an old dog.

The punishment Bivol took in the fight seemed to age him as he looked older. Even though Bivol was blocking Beterbiev’s shots with his gloves, the punches were so hard that they still hurt.

Last time, Bivol stayed on the move for the entire second half of the fight starting in the sixth round when Beterbiev started to pressure him. Once it started, Bivol was no longer in the fight. I was just trying to survive.

Beterbiev had held his own for the first five rounds, letting Bivol stomp and throw a combination to get the better of the action. The fight changed hands when Beterbiev went into attack mode starting in the sixth. Bivol didn’t have the firepower, chin or courage to fight. It was disappointing because it didn’t even try to make it exciting. It was pure run and hold from Bivol.

Breaking Bivol

If Beterbiev decides to attack immediately in the rematch, this will be a loss because Bivol doesn’t have the punching power or the chin to fight him. Also, he is less willing to trade power punches than other fighters in the light heavyweight division. Bivol hates being hit, and is afraid of being pinned by Beterbiev.

It will be interesting to see if Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, complains again if he loses by decision. Hopefully he’ll take the road and show some class.

“It’s going to be hard to split them up. I just don’t know if the last fight was tough for the two of them, and I don’t know if Beterbiev’s age,” Callum Smith told iFL TVquestioning whether Artur Beterbiev’s age has caught up to him for his rematch with Dmitry Bivol on February 22.

“We keep saying he’s going to start looking his age, but I don’t know in this fight if it took a little bit out of him. The more time goes on, you’ve got to lean toward Bivol to be a little bit cooler. I think Bivol, but I think it’s going to be really tight again. I’m going to do my job (against Joshua Buatsi) and then hopefully, I’ll get a chance at the winner,” Smith said.

.@ABeterbiev 40 years ago today 🎂🎈#BetterbievBivol2 | #Riyadh season | February 22, live on DAZN | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/5e6J5lR9cG

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 21, 2025