Artur Beterbiev says his team has changed “some things” with its game for its rematch against Dmitri Bivol on February 22. The changes that will involve the team of undisputed light heavyweight champion Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) will likely apply more pressure and not allow Bivol to escape when he moves around the ring.
Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) won’t stand and trade as he won’t last more than a few rounds against Beterbiev in their rematch in Riyadh. We saw it last time.
Adaptation for victory
In the one instance in the fight where Bivol stood his ground in the seventh round, Beterbiev clipped him, and he was confused. It was the first and last time Bivol tried to trade in battle.
In the rematch, Bivol will use the Shakur-like hit and run style he used in the first fight with Beterbiev, but he will probably include very concluded. When Bivol held on, he neutralized Artur’s offense and controlled him. He would get close enough to throw his short punches. It’s boring to watch running and holding by Bivol, but it’s his only path to victory.
Dmitri was not built. Bivol isn’t built to go up against a powerhouse like Beterbiev and doesn’t have an amateur background for that kind of fighter. Bivol was a good amateur, but not at the level of two-time Olympian Beterbiev.
However, Beterbiev is a smart fighter, and he has fought many fighters in the past who used excessive holds to stop his offense. He will know what to do to deal with this tactic.
Tactical shift
“My team, we changed different things, but we can’t tell you. The second fight, we’ll see what happens there,” said Artur Beterbiev Pro Boxing Fansreacting to Anthony Joshua picking Dmitry Bivol to beat him in the February 22 rematch.
“Mentally you have to be focused. Even if someone says it was a close fight, I felt I won,” Beterbiev said about his previous showdown against Bivol on 12 October last year. “We need enough change to win. It didn’t surprise me, but he did a good job,” Artur said when asked if Dmitry did anything in the first fight that “surprised” him.
“I felt I had won the battle. I didn’t see it (Beterbiev’s strength to come to Bivol).”
☝️ @bivol_d 👑#BeterbievBivol2 | February 22 | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/CzQMuZsCMf
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 17, 2025
Beterbiev vs. Bivol face each other for the second time in the historic event The Last Crescendo for the undisputed World Championship 🔥🥊
Riyadh 📍
February 22 🗓️Book your tickets now👇https://t.co/8aQHpjE9Un#BigTime#Riyadh Season pic.twitter.com/13ElUfG02F
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) January 16, 2025
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