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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.
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:
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.
Artur Beterbiev
Dmitri Bivol
What Beterbiev should do:
What Bivol should do:
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.