Beterbiev adjusts strategy for Bivol rematch

Artur Beterbiev says his team has changed “some things” in their rematch against Dmitry Bivol on February 22. Changes to undisputed light heavyweight champion Beterbiev’s (21-0, 20 KOs) team will likely involve applying more pressure and not allowing Bivol to escape when moving around the ring.

Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) will not show up to negotiate, as he will not last more than a few rounds against Beterbiev in their rematch in Riyadh. We saw it last time.

Adapt for victory

In the only instance of the fight where Bivol stood his ground in the seventh round, Beterbiev punched him and he was staggered. That was the first and last time Bivol attempted to negotiate in the fight.

In the rematch, Bivol will use the Shakur style hit and run style he employed in the first fight with Beterbiev, but will probably include a lot of grip. When Bivol resisted, he neutralized Artur’s offensive and controlled him. He would get close enough to throw his short punches. It’s boring to watch Bivol run and hold on, but it’s his only path to victory.

Dmitry is not built. Bivol is not made to face a powerhouse like Beterbiev and does not have amateur experience for that type of fighter. Bivol was a good fan, but not at the level of two-time Olympian Beterbiev.

However, Beterbiev is a smart fighter and has fought many fighters in the past who have used excessive grappling to stop his offense. He will know what to do to deal with this tactic.

Tactical change

“On my team we changed some different things, but we can’t tell you. In the second fight we will see what happens there,” Artur Beterbiev told Professional boxing fansreacting to being told that Anthony Joshua chose Dmitry Bivol to beat him in their February 22 rematch.

“Mentally, you need to be focused. Even if someone says it’s a close fight, I felt like I won,” Beterbiev said of his previous matchup against Bivol on October 12 last year. “We need enough changes to win. It didn’t surprise me, but he did a good job,” Artur said when asked if Dmitry did something in the first fight that ‘surprised’ him.

“I felt like I won the fight. I didn’t see that (Beterbiev’s power coming to Bivol).”

☝️ @bivol_d 👑#BetterbievBivol2 | February 22 | @DAZNBoking pic.twitter.com/CzQMuZsCMf

— Boxing in the match room (@MatchroomBoxing) January 17, 2025

Beterbiev vs. Bivol meet for the second time in the historic event The Last Crescendo for the undisputed World Championship 🔥🥊

Riyadh 📍
February 22 🗓️

Reserve your tickets now👇https://t.co/8aQHpjE9Un#BigTime#RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/13ElUfG02F

— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) January 16, 2025