By Gary Cromie: Under the sparkling sky of the desert of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to meet once again on February 22, 2025. The rematch, headlined by the blockbuster card of Turki Al-Sheikh in Riyadh, carries all the gravitas of unfinished. business
In a city where ancient traditions meet modern luxury, where one-humped camels and Ferraris share a face, the stage is set for a titanic battle of wills and skills. Their first meeting in 2024 was a brutal chess match, with Beterbiev taking a narrow decision to retain his unified lightweight titles and take Bivol’s WBA belt, becoming the undisputed champion at 175 pounds. Now, with both men looking to solidify their legacies, this rematch promises to be a display of skill, power and tactical brilliance.
The first fight: Why Beterbiev won
In their opening encounter, Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and devastating power proved to be the deciding factors. The fight was a classic contrast of styles: Beterbiev, the heavy mauler who is light on his feet, versus Bivol, the master of stick and movement with good rhythm. Bivol’s jab and footwork allowed him to control much of the fight, but Beterbiev’s ability to close the distance and land striking shots, particularly to the body, took Bivol down. as the rounds progressed.
Key moments in the first fight include:
- Mid-shift exchanges: Beterbiev’s hooks and uppercuts in tight quarters began to sap Bivol’s energy by the championship rounds.
- Differential power: While Bivol landed clean punches, his shots lacked the stopping power to keep Beterbiev at bay.
- Pressure and rate: Beterbiev’s relentless forward movement forced Bivol to fight off the back foot more than he is used to, limiting his offensive output.
Ultimately, the judges awarded Beterbiev a narrow decision, with several rounds being hotly contested. Fans in boxing chatrooms argued for days about who won the fight, but in the end, the clamor died down. However, no recap of the fight would be complete without mentioning Eddie Hearn’s epic meltdown. Never one to miss an opportunity to complain, Hearn labeled the result a “rote” to any idiot who happens to be holding a microphone. His relentless rant was as entertaining as it was outrageous, especially when juxtaposed against Bivol’s quiet class. A tight-lipped Bivol later 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 rooting for Beterbiev, added an embarrassing spectacle to the proceedings. In the court of public opinion, Eddie and Mrs. Bivol is second best, while Dmitry calmly absorbs the drama with his usual stoicism.
Backgrounds: 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 KO), known for his impressive knockout power.
- Style: Beterbiev’s blend 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.
Dmitri Bivol
- Age: 34 years
- Nationality: Russian (born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan)
- Residence: St. Petersburg, Russia
- Amateur record: 268-15, highlighted by success in international tournaments and a disciplined, textbook approach.
- Professional record: 24-1 (11 KOs), characterized by his technical precision and defensive mastery.
- Style: Bivol is a master of distance and timing, using his jab and footwork to dictate the pace of his fights.
Adjustments for the Rematch
What Beterbiev should do:
- 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.
- Focus on the Body: In the first fight, body shots played a critical role in slowing down Bivol. Doubling down on this strategy could pay dividends in the rematch.
- Guard Against Counters: Bivol’s sharp counters caused problems in the early turns. Improved head movement and tighter defending will be key.
What Bivol should do:
- Increase output: Bivol needs to throw more combinations and take risks to score points, especially in the later rounds, where he fades in the first fight.
- Control the Distance: Using lateral movement and a consistent jab, Bivol must keep the fight at his preferred range to neutralize Beterbiev’s power.
- Target the Head and Movement: Taking advantage of Beterbiev’s slower foot speed with accurate combinations and pivoting out of danger could tilt the fight in Bivol’s favor.
Prediction: Who will win?
This fight remains as close to a 50-50 proposition as boxing gets. Is a trilogy looming on the horizon? Both men have the tools to win, but the winner 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 increase his work rate. On the contrary, if Bivol can maintain his composure and increase his offensive production, his technical brilliance may be enough to outpoint the older champion.
Forecast: 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 scale in his favor. Expect a frantic, closely contested battle where the margin for error is razor-thin. For both men, the stakes have never been higher. And, if you think I am confident in this prediction, you must be out of your mind.
