Bivol promises a more aggressive approach in the rematch with Beterbiev

Dmitry Bivol says his rematch with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev on February 22 will be “more open” for he knows his former conqueror. Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) doesn’t say what he means by “more open”, but for his sake he needs to be more aggressive, stay in the pocket, hold less and fight in the second half.

Bivol says it is learned from defeat and it will be different in the rematch. If that’s true, it will be an exciting fight this time because his lack of commitment was lacking in his previous encounter with Beterbiev.

The flesh was willing, but the mind was weak. Bivol has the power, speed and skills to win, but he needs to overcome the mental block that prevented him from trading.

Bivol’s new strategy

Bivol is working hard and training for the rematch, but needs more mental than physical adjustment. He needs to be convinced to fight more aggressively in the rematch with Beterbiev. Bivol’s punch the style didn’t work last time and probably won’t work this time.

Undisputed heavyweight champion Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) will defend against Bivol on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will be available to watch live on DAZN PPV.

Bivol must change something in the restart to be able to win. His cautious approach to boxing in their first bout on October 12 will not work against Beterbiev in the rematch.

Betebriev will also take a different approach to the rematch. He will likely pressure Bivol from the first round instead of waiting until the sixth, as he did last time.

He made the mistake of letting Bivol get the better of him in the first five rounds, not going on the attack and showing too much respect. Bivol woke up Beterbiev in the sixth round when he hit him with a four-punch combination.

This seemed to anger Beterbiev and set his competitive spirit in motion. From that moment on, he was constantly attacked. Over the last seven rounds, Bivol moved, held and did nothing to win. It wasn’t that he was wasted. He felt Beterbiev’s power and didn’t want to be knocked out.

Bivol’s team and their promoter, Eddie Hearn, did not want to accept the loss. They complained and did not help. Bivol had failed, and the judges made it clear. Beterbiev attacked relentlessly, looking like a shark stalking its prey, and Bivol didn’t want to be cut. So he moved non-stop, and the judges took note and scored it for Beterbiev.

The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. I had it 117-111 for Beterbiev. Bivol appeared to win three rounds and was useless for the last nine rounds.

Learning from defeat

“He’s learned to be more comfortable in the ring with this guy. In the second fight, I think maybe it will be a more open fight. I can’t make excuses because I won’t prepare for the next fight,” said Dmitry Bivol Fight Hub TVtalking about his rematch with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in 58 days on February 22.

“Of course he’s good. He’s got power. Not only is he a powerful boxer, but he’s got good skills,” Bivol said when asked if Beterbiev is as good as people say. “I think he will be, at least , just as interesting, but I’m sure it will be better (the second fight).

“We know each other. We won’t start at the beginning. We know a few things about each other, and it will be a more open fight. It is possible to fight anyone in the division, but first, I want a rematch,” Bivol said when asked if he would be interested in fighting David Benavidez.

Battle preparations ⚔️🔥#BetterbievBivol2 | February 22, live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/sH9C9r6eIL

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