Undisputed matchup: Beterbiev vs. Bivol II prepares to illuminate Riyadh

For Gary Cromie: Under the bright desert skies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to clash once again on February 22, 2025. The rematch, which will headline Turki Al-Sheikh’s big card in Riyadh, it carries all the gravity of the unfinished. business

In a city where ancient traditions meet modern luxury, where one-humped camels and Ferraris share a face, the stage is set for a titanic battle of wills and skills. Their first meeting in 2024 was a brutal chess match, with Beterbiev taking a very fine decision to retain his unified light heavyweight titles and take Bivol’s WBA belt, becoming the undisputed champion at 175 free Now, with both men looking to cement their legacies, this rematch promises to be a spectacle of skill, power and tactical brilliance.

The first fight: why Beterbiev won

In their opening matchup, Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and devastating power proved to be the deciding factors. The fight was a classic contrast of styles: Beterbiev, the heavy-handed mauler who is light on his feet, against Bivol, the master of hooking and moving with beautiful rhythm. Bivol’s striking and footwork allowed him to control large portions of the fight, but Beterbiev’s ability to close the distance and land loud shots, especially to the body, wore Bivol down as the rounds wore on.

Key moments from the first fight included:

• Mid-round exchanges: Beterbiev’s hooks and uppercuts within a few quarters began to sap Bivol’s energy in the championship rounds.
• Differential power: While Bivol landed clean punches, his shots lacked the stopping power to keep Beterbiev at bay.
• Pressure and pace: Beterbiev’s relentless forward movement forced Bivol to fight off the back foot more than he’s used to, limiting his offensive output.

Ultimately, the judges awarded Beterbiev a narrow decision, with many closely contested rounds. Fans in boxing chat rooms argued for days about who won the fight, but eventually, the clamor died down. However, no recap of the fight would be complete without mentioning Eddie Hearn’s epic meltdown. Hearn called the result a “robbery” from any whining idiot with a microphone. His relentless diatribe was as entertaining as it was undignified, especially when juxtaposed with Bivol’s calm class. Bivol, tight-lipped afterward, admitted he had to do more to win the fight. Meanwhile, a strange subplot involving Bivol’s wife, who had publicly criticized him on YouTube while openly rooting for Beterbiev, added an awkward sideshow to the proceedings. In the court of public opinion, both Eddie and Mrs. Bivol came in second, while Dmitry calmly absorbed the drama with his usual stoicism.

Background: from amateurs to professionals

Artur Beterbiev

• Age: 40 years
• Nationality: Russian (born in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia)
• Residence: Montreal, Canada
• Amateur record: 295-5, a decorated career that includes two gold medals at the World Championships.
• Professional record: 21-0 (20 KOs), known for his impressive knockout power.
• Style: Beterbiev’s combination of pressure and power make him one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. Despite his age, his conditioning and ring-cutting ability remain elite.

Dmitry Bivol

• Age: 34 years
• Nationality: Russian (born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan)
• Residence: Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Amateur record: 268-15, highlighted by success in international tournaments and a disciplined, textbook approach.
• Professional Record: 24-1 (11 KOs), characterized by his technical precision and defensive dominance.
• Style: Bivol is a master of distance and timing, using his striking and footwork to dictate the pace of his fights.

Adjustments for resumption

What should Beterbiev do:

1. Maintain relentless pressure: Beterbiev needs to replicate the strategy that worked in the first fight by cutting off the ring and forcing Bivol into exchanges where his power can make the difference.
2. Focus on the body: In the first fight, body shots played a critical role in slowing down Bivol. Doubling down on that strategy could pay dividends on the rebound.
3. Counter Guard: Bivol’s sharp counters caused problems in the early rounds. Improved head movement and tighter defense will be key.

What Bivol has to do:

1. Increase production: Bivol needs to throw more combinations and take chances to get points, especially in the later rounds, where he faded in the first fight.
2. Controlling the distance: Using lateral movement and consistent striking, Bivol must keep the fight at his preferred range to neutralize Beterbiev’s power.
3. Heading and movement: Taking advantage of Beterbiev’s slower foot speed with accurate combinations and moving away from danger could tip the fight in Bivol’s favor.

Prediction: Who wins?

This fight remains as close to a 50-50 proposition as boxing gets. Is there a trilogy on the horizon? Both men have the tools to win, but the victor will be the one who learned the most from their first meeting and can execute the adjustments perfectly. Beterbiev’s raw power and ability to apply pressure could overwhelm Bivol again if the latter fails to increase his work rate. Conversely, if Bivol can maintain his composure and increase his offensive output, his technical brilliance may be enough to overcome the older champion.

Prediction: Dmitry Bivol by split decision. While Beterbiev’s power remains a constant threat, Bivol’s youth, superior stamina and refined game plan will likely tip the scales in his favor. Expect a grueling and hotly contested battle where the margin for error is very slim. For both men, the stakes have never been higher. And, if you think I trust that prediction, you’d be out of your mind.