Bivol promises a more aggressive approach in rematch with Beterbiev

Dmitri Bivol says his rematch with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev on February 22 will be “more open” because he is familiar with his former conqueror. Bivol (23-1, 12 KO’s) doesn’t say what he means by “more open”, but for his sake he needs to be more aggressive, stay in the pocket, hold less and fight in the second half.

Bivol says he is learned from defeat and will be different in the rematch. If true, it’s going to be an exciting fight this time because his lack of engagement was lacking in his previous meeting with Beterbiev.

The flesh was willing, but the mind was weak. Bivol has the strength, speed and skills to win, but he needs to get past the mental block that has been preventing him from trading.

Bivol’s new strategy

Bivol is working hard and training for the rematch, but he needs more mental adjustment than physical one. He needs to convince himself to fight more aggressively in the rematch with Beterbiev. Bivol’s hit-and-run style didn’t work last time and probably won’t work this time.

Undisputed heavyweight champion Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) will defend against Bivol on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will be shown live on DAZN PPV.

Bivol needs to change something in the rematch to have a chance to win. His cautious approach to boxing in their first fight on October 12 will not work against Beterbiev in the rematch.

Betebriev will also take a different approach to the reunion. He is likely to put pressure on Bivol from round one rather than waiting until the sixth, like last time.

He made the mistake of letting Bivol get the upper hand in the first five rounds by not going on the attack and showing too much respect. Bivol woke up Beterbiev in the sixth round when he hit him with a four-punch combination.

This seemed to anger Beterbiev and kick his competitive spirit into gear. From that point on, he was constantly attacked. For the last seven rounds, Bivol moved, pinned and did nothing to win. It wasn’t that he passed out. He felt Beterbiev’s strength and did not want to be knocked out.

Bivol’s team and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, did not want to accept the loss. They complained and did not help. Bivol failed, and the judges made it clear. Beterbiev attacked relentlessly, looking like a shark going after its prey, and Bivol did not want to be cut down. So, he moved non-stop, and the judges took notice and scored it for Beterbiev.

The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. I had it 117-111 for Beterbiev. Bivol looked like he was winning three rounds and was useless for the last nine rounds.

Learn from defeat

“It’s learned to be more comfortable in the ring with this guy. In the second fight I think maybe it will be a more open fight. I can’t find excuses because I won’t prepare for the next fight,” said Dmitry Bivol Fight Hub TVtalks about his rematch with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in 58 days on February 22.

“Of course he’s good. He has power. He’s not only a powerful boxer, but he’s also got good skills,” Bivol said when asked if Beterbiev is as good as people say. “I think it will be just as interesting at a minimum, but I’m sure it will be better (the second fight).

“We know each other. We will not start from scratch. We know some things about each other, and it will be more open fight. It is possible to fight anyone in the division, but first I want a rematch,” Bivol said when asked if he would be interested in fighting David Benavidez.

Battle preparations ⚔️🔥#BeterbievBivol2 | February 22, live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/sH9C9r6eIL

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