Sergey Kovalev picks former WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to defeat undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev in their rematch in eight weeks (56 days) on February 22 in Riyadh.
Former unified 175-lb champion Kovalev saw Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) win his previous fight against Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) seven rounds to five and see him win the second time around. A laughing Kovalev says once Bivol wins, a trilogy match will be set up.
Beterbiev’s new plan?
Beterbiev defeated Bivol with pressure, winning a 12-round majority decision on October 12. The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. Bivol fought well early on and used his boxing skills to win rounds against the unusually cautious Beterbiev.
However, the fight changed completely when Beterbiev started applying pressure in the sixth, and it was no longer competitive. Bivol looked like a mouse being chased around the ring by a cat, and it was clear he wanted no part in mixing it up. After the fight, Beterbiev hinted that he would fight completely differently in the rematch.
He probably means that he will attack immediately rather than waiting until the center like he did last time. Beterbiev now knows that Bivol cannot handle pressure, becomes mentally disconnected and does not have the strength, knowledge or bravery to stand in the trenches. Bivol was not built for war. He is more of the type to stay behind and work in support of the troops.
“In the last fight I thought Bivol got seven rounds to five. Yes, I think so. 7-5, he won, and he will have more confidence in the rematch and will get the victory. He will win, and then there will be a third fight,” said Sergey Kovalev Fight Hub TVgives his thoughts on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch on February 22.
Bivol’s possible rematch tactics
It will be very difficult for Bivol to win the rematch with his fighting style because he is not equipped to stand and fight Beterbiev. What Bivol will likely do in the rematch to win an ugly decision is this tactic:
– Concludes when Beterbiev gets close
– Hit and run
– More movement
– Late storms
Fans on social media overwhelmingly believe that Bivol deserved to win the first fight, and they feel he will defeat Beterbiev in the rematch. Many of them feel it will be an easy win for Bivol, who they say is a much better fighter than Beterbiev. There could be a lot of upset pro-Bivol fans if he doesn’t get the job done in the rematch because he can’t fight any better than he did last time.
The only one who can improve in the second fight is Beterbiev by applying pressure right from the start rather than waiting until the sixth round like last time.
