Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. picks Dmitri Bivol to defeat undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in their rematch in 31 days on February 22nd in Riyadh.
Jose Sr. says he felt former WBA 175lb champion Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) won the first fight against Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) on October 12 last year by “one point”. He sees Bivol do it again in their rematch next month.
Benavidez Sr. saying that Bivol was “faster” and his “movement” was the key in his mind to why he deserved the win over Beterbiev. He didn’t mention how timid and reluctant he was to engage Bivol from the sixth round. He left that part out.
Bivol showed no heart as he ran around the ring, flee from the wolfBeterbiev, in the entire second half of the match. Many fans seemed to have decided who won based on the first six rounds, then mentally went to sleep in the second half as Beterbiev took over the fight.
Confirmation Bias In Boxing
It is called confirmation biasand it occurs when people form their opinions early and make quick judgments about events, such as the Bivol-Beterbiev 1 fight. The people who felt Bivol won collectively decided after six rounds and then looked for evidence to support their entrenched beliefs in the second half. They shut out Beterbiev’s dominance as he controlled the fight with his constant pressure.
“I think it’s going to be another close battle. We saw both of them did the best they could. Both styles work for each other, and I believe in the first fight Bivol won. For this fight, Bivol can win again,” Jose Benavidez Sr Sean Zittel on his thoughts on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitri Bivol rematch taking place on February 22nd.
“He’s a little faster, has more movement,” Jose Sr. said. said about Bivol. “Beterbiev is hitting hard, and he’s probably waiting for that big shot. Bivol, hopefully he doesn’t stand in front of him and get hit with a big shot. So, I think it’s going to be the same fight.
“Bivol, I think he won by one point. It was a very close battle. For me it could have been a tie, but they gave it to Beterbiev. I’m not a judge, but I felt he (Bivol) did enough to win that fight,” Benavidez Sr. said.
Benavidez’s interest
If Bivol prevails in the rematch with Beterbiev, it works for Jose Benavidez Sr. as his son, ‘The Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez, is a better match for Bivol. They have sparred in the past, and Benavidez has apparently won him over with his pressure and volume.
Benavidez would not do so well against Beterbiev as he hits much harder with his short punches and is an excellent counter puncher. The volume that Benavidez depends on to win his fights will leave him open to getting nailed and hurt by Artur.
Plus, Beterbiev goes to the body well, and he took advantage of Benavidez’s major weakness in that area. Benavidez doesn’t handle body shots well, and Beterbiev will often target that area and hit him between his flurries to score a knockout.
If Beterbiev is victorious against Bivol on February 22nd, Benavidez will have to seriously consider whether to take this fight or move up to cruiserweight to go after Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.
That is, of course, if ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez wins his fight against WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1st. There is an excellent chance that Morrell will win that fight with his superior strength, technical skills and youth.
Morrell would face the winner of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 rematch, leaving Benavidez to decide whether to move up to cruiserweight or be one of the many contenders at 175. Jose Sr. spell for his son, Benavidez.
THE RE-MATCH IS AROUND THE TURN 🌟#BeterbievBivol2 | 22 FEB | #Riyadh Season pic.twitter.com/BowSlWt3JA
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 22, 2025
