Dmitry Bivol arrived well prepared for today’s press conference for his rematch with undisputed lightweight champion Artur Beterbiev for their rematch next month on February 22 in Riyadh.
Beterbiev’s menacing look
Former WBA 175-lb champion Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) had a humorous line when the moderator asked what his message was to Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs): “I’m not a postman. I’m an athlete.” The line made everyone laugh, except Beterbiev, who shot Bivol a look that said, “You’ll see.”
That look said it all. Bivol will be eliminated unless he runs as he did last time in his 12-round majority decision defeat to Beterbiev on October 12. Bivol could not cope with Beterbiev in the last round after starting to press in the sixth. In the sixth,
Bivol tried to stay on the ground and slipped. From there, he abandoned the ship and went on a long retreat, taking blows as he ran, holding and showing no desire to fight. The fans of Bivol were dishartened, they believed that their hero had won, but they did not face the truth.
He had lost his nerve and courage when he needed it against Beterbiev. Bivol looked like he was being chased by an angry wolf in the forest. His eyes were wide with fear, and he showed no heart. It was a classic example of a fighter who had lost his nerve and just had to survive to avoid humiliation.
Bivol said empty words today in the press conference, talking about “Luck” that has nothing to do with success. This is a common phase in Eastern Europe, but in this case, the words did not convince because he had not fought harder than he did last time.
If he does, he will probably be knocked out because he lacks the courage, chin and power to stand up to the hungry wolf, Beteriev.
Beterbiev won his previous fight by heart 115-113, 16-112, 114-114
The hunter returns
Dmitri Bivol: “This is a good chance for me. I know that people like the first fight, and they want to see the second fight. I want to do the second fight, and I want to be the winner of this fight. The belts that I could see. First, I wanted so these belts and nothing else. I don’t just want revenge. I want to win. It’s not just about belts today.” press conference.
“I need to change enough to prove that I am better, and I need to add more actions. We have already changed a little with the training camp. We have added some coaches in our training camp, and now, I am working on myself myself. Of course I want to be perfect, and I try to be.”
Arthur Beterbiev: “My goal now is to keep my belts, and I will do my best to do that. He has a rematch if he wants to do that (revenge). For better enough to win. Just win. I don’t know. Maybe because he was lucky that night,” said Beterbiev because Bivol saw the final bell in their previous fight on October 12.
Bivol: “I don’t believe too much in luck. I think that luck will come to people who work a lot, and I worked and I will become lucky. Luck does not come without work. I have no messages. I am not the postman. I am an athlete. I will come to the ring, and we will talk about action.”
Beterbiev: “You mean by postman? No I think that on February 22, we will see a good fight. My message is ready. Here. Nothing more.”
