Undisputed confrontation: Beterbiev vs. Bivol II ready to illuminate Riyadh

By Gary Cromie: Under the glittering desert skies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are about to collide once again on February 22, 2025. The rematch, which will headline Turki Al-Sheikh’s blockbuster card in Riyadh, has all the seriousness of the unfinished. business.

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

The first fight: why Beterbiev won

In their initial clash, 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, light-footed mauler, against Bivol, the master of hitting and moving with beautiful rhythm. Bivol’s jab and footwork allowed him to control much of the fight, but Beterbiev’s ability to close the distance and land hard-hitting shots, particularly to the body, wore Bivol down as the rounds progressed.

Key moments from the first fight included:

• Mid-round trades: Beterbiev’s uppercuts and uppercuts in tight spaces began to sap Bivol’s energy in the championship rounds.
• Power differential: While Bivol landed clean punches, his shots lacked the stopping power to keep Beterbiev at bay.
• Pressure and stimulation: Beterbiev’s relentless forward movement forced Bivol to fight on the back foot more than he is accustomed to, limiting his offensive performance.

In the end, the judges awarded Beterbiev a close decision, with many closely contested rounds. Fans in boxing chat rooms argued for days over 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, never one to miss an opportunity to complain, called the result a “robbery” for any idiot standing around holding a microphone. His incessant tirade was as entertaining as it was outrageous, especially when juxtaposed with Bivol’s calm class. Bivol, tight-lipped afterwards, admitted he needed to do more to win the fight. Meanwhile, a strange subplot involving Bivol’s wife, who had publicly criticized him on YouTube while openly supporting Beterbiev, added an awkward sideshow to the proceedings. In the court of public opinion, both Eddie and Mrs. Bivol came in second place, while Dmitry quietly 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 World Championship gold medals.
• Professional record: 21-0 (20 KOs), known for his impressive knockout power.
• Style: Beterbiev’s combination of pressure and power makes him one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. Despite his age, his physical condition and ability to cut through the ring remain elite.

Dmitri Bivol

• Age: 34 years
• Nationality: Russian (born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan)
• Residence: Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Amateur record: 268-15, highlighted by international tournament success 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 jab and footwork to dictate the pace of his fights.

Rematch Settings

What Beterbiev should 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 key role in stopping Bivol. Doubling down on this strategy could pay dividends in the rematch.
3. Counter Guard: Bivol’s sharp counterattacks caused problems in the early rounds. The key will be improved head movement and tighter defense.

What Bivol should do:

1. Increase production: Bivol needs to throw more combinations and take risks to score points, particularly in the later rounds, where he faded in the first fight.
2. Control the distance: Using lateral movements and a constant jab, Bivol must keep the fight at his preferred range to neutralize Beterbiev’s power.
3. Aim for the head and movement: Exploiting Beterbiev’s slower foot speed with precise combinations and moving away from danger could tip the fight in Bivol’s favor.

Prediction: Who wins?

This fight is still as close to a 50-50 proposition as boxing is. Is a trilogy on the horizon? Both men have the tools to win, but the winner will be the one who has learned the most from their first meeting and can execute the adjustments without problems. Beterbiev’s raw power and ability to apply pressure could overwhelm Bivol again if the latter fails to increase his work rate. On the contrary, if Bivol can maintain his composure and increase his offensive output, his technical brilliance may be enough to surpass the senior champion.

Prediction: Dmitry Bivol by split decision. While Beterbiev’s power remains a constant threat, Bivol’s youth, superior stamina and refined game plan are likely to tip the balance in his favor. Expect a grueling and close battle where the margin for error is very small. For both men, the stakes have never been higher. And if you think I trust this prediction, you must be crazy.