by Gary Cromie: Under the sparkling desert skies of Saudi Arabia, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to collide once again on February 22, 2025. The rematch, set to headline Turki Al Sheikh’s blockbuster card in Riyadh, carries all the weight of unfinished business. a job.
In a city where ancient tradition meets modern luxury, and where one-humped camels and Ferraris share a similar appearance, the stage is set for a massive battle of wills and skills. Their first encounter of 2024 was a brutal chess match, with Beterbiev making the difficult decision to retain his unified light heavyweight titles and capture Bivol’s WBA belt, becoming the undisputed 175-pound champion. Now, as both men look 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 initial clash, Beterbiev’s sustained pressure and devastating power proved to be the deciding factors. The fight was a classic contrast of styles: Beterbiev, a heavy puncher who is light on his feet, versus Bivol, a moving maestro with a beautiful rhythm. Bivol’s jab and footwork allowed him to control large portions of the fight, but Beterbiev’s ability to close the distance and land powerful shots, especially to the body, wore down Bivol as the rounds progressed.
Key moments in the first battle include:
- Exchanges in the middle of the round: Beterbiev’s hooks and uppercuts in close quarters began to sap Bivol’s energy during the tournament rounds.
- Power difference: While Bivol landed clean punches, his shots lacked the stopping power to keep Beterbiev at bay.
- Pressure and pace: Beterbiev’s constant forward movement forced Bivol to fight on his back foot more than he was accustomed to, which limited his attacking production.
Ultimately, the judges awarded Beterbiev a narrow decision, as several rounds were hotly contested. Fans in boxing chat rooms debated for days over who would win the fight, but eventually, the hype died down. However, no recap of the fight would be complete without mentioning Eddie Hearn’s epic collapse. No one missed the opportunity to complain, and Hearn described the result as a “theft” for any idiot standing up with a microphone. His long, relentless tirade was as amusing as it was insulting, especially when compared to Peavol’s calm class. Bivol, who remained silent in the aftermath, admitted he needed to do more to win the fight. Meanwhile, a bizarre subplot involving Bivol’s wife, who publicly criticized him on YouTube while publicly supporting Beterbiev, added a bizarre sideshow to the proceedings. In the court of public opinion, Eddie and Mrs. Bivol came in second place, while Dimitri calmly absorbed the drama with his usual stoicism.
Backgrounds: from amateur to professional
Artur Beterbiev
- Age: 40 years
- Nationality: Russian (born in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia)
- Residence: Montreal, Canada
- Amateur record: 295-5, decorated career that includes two World Championship gold medals.
- Professional record: 21-0 (20 KO), known for his impressive knockout ability.
- 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 the ring 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, methodical approach.
- Professional record: 24-1 (11 KO), distinguished by his technical precision and defensive prowess.
- Style: Bivol is a master of distance and timing, using his jab and footwork to set the pace of his fights.
Amendments to the rematch
What Beterbiev should do:
- Maintain relentless pressure: Beterbiev needs to replicate the strategy that worked in the first fight by cutting the ring and forcing Bivol into exchanges where his strength can make a difference.
- Focus on the Body: In the first fight, body shots played a crucial role in slowing down Bivol. Doubling down on this strategy could pay off in a rematch.
- Guard Against Counters: Bivol’s sharp counters caused problems in the early rounds. Improved head movement and tighter defending will be key.
What should Bivol do:
- Increased Output: Bivol needs to throw more combinations and take risks to score points, especially in the later rounds, as he faded in the first fight.
- Distance Control: Using lateral movement and a steady jab, Bivol must keep the fight in his preferred range to neutralize Beterbiev’s power.
- Aim for the head and movement: Taking advantage of Beterbiev’s slower foot speed with precise combinations and staying out of danger can tip the balance of the fight in Bivol’s favor.
Prediction: Who will win?
This fight remains as close to a 50-50 proposition as boxing usually gets. Is 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 encounter and can execute the adjustments flawlessly. Beterbiev’s raw power and ability to apply pressure could overwhelm Bivol again if the latter fails to up his work rate. Conversely, if Bivol can maintain his composure and increase his attacking output, his technical brilliance could be enough to outpace 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 favour. Expect an uphill, hotly contested battle where the margin for error is razor-thin. For both men, the stakes have never been higher. And if you think I’m confident in this prediction, you must be out of your mind.
