Undisputed reveal: Beterbiev vs. Bivol II set to lift Riyadh

By Gary Cromie: Under the glittering desert skies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitri Bivol are set to clash again on February 22, 2025. The rematch, which will headline Turki Al-Sheikh’s blockbuster card in Riyadh, carries the seriousness of unfinished business.

In a city where ancient traditions meet modern luxury, where one-humped camels and Ferraris share the 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 razor-thin decision to retain his unified light heavyweight titles and take Bivol’s WBA belt and become the undisputed champion at 175 pounds. Now, with both men looking to cement their legacy, this rematch promises to be a spectacle of skill, power and tactical brilliance.

The first fight: why Beterbiev won

In their initial clash, Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and devastating power were the deciding factors. The fight was a classic contrast of styles: Beterbiev, the heavy-handed privateer who is light on his feet, against Bivol, the stick-and-move maestro with a beautiful rhythm. Bivol’s jab and footwork allowed him to control large portions of the fight, but Beterbiev’s ability to close the distance and land knockdowns, especially to the body, wore Bivol down as the rounds progressed.

Key moments in the first battle included:

• Mid-round exchanges: Beterbiev’s hooks and uppercuts in close began to suppress Bivol’s energy throughout the championship rounds.
• Power Differential: 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 more off the back foot than he is used to, limiting his offensive output.

Ultimately, the judges awarded Beterbiev a close decision, with many rounds being hotly contested. Fans in boxing chat rooms argued for days about who won the fight, but eventually the shouting 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 “robbery” for any idiot standing around holding a microphone. His relentless tirade was as entertaining as it was undignified, especially when juxtaposed with Bivol’s quiet class. Bivol, quiet in the aftermath, admitted he had to do more to win the fight. Meanwhile, a bizarre subplot involving Bivol’s wife, who publicly criticized him on YouTube while openly rooting for Beterbiev, added an awkward sideshow to the proceedings. In the court of public opinion, both Eddie and Mrs. Bivol came off second best, while Dmitri took the drama quietly with his usual stoicism.

Background: From amateurs to professionals

Artur Beterbiev

• Age: 40 years old
• 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 KOs), 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 conditioning and ability to cut off the ring remains elite.

Dmitry Bivol

• Age: 34 years old
• Nationality: Russian (born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan)
• Residence: Saint 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:

1. Maintain relentless pressure: Beterbiev must repeat 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.
2. Focus on the body: In the first fight, body shots played a critical role in slowing down Bivol. Doubling down on this strategy can pay dividends in the rematch.
3. Guard Against Counters: Bivol’s sharp counters caused problems in the early rounds. Improved head movement and tighter defense will be key.

What Bivol should do:

1. Increase output: Bivol needs to throw more combinations and take risks to score points, especially in the later rounds, where he faded in the first fight.
2. Control the distance: Using lateral movement and a consistent jab, Bivol needs to keep the fight at his preferred range to neutralize Beterbiev’s power.
3. Target the head and movement: Exploiting Beterbiev’s slower foot speed with precise combinations and turning away from danger can tip the fight in Bivol’s favor.

Prediction: Who Wins?

This fight remains as close to a 50-50 proposition as boxing gets. Is a trilogy on the horizon? Both men have the tools to win, but the victor will be the one who learned the most from their first meeting and can execute adjustments flawlessly. Beterbiev’s raw power and ability to apply pressure could again overwhelm Bivol if the latter does not pick up his work rate. Conversely, if Bivol can maintain his composure and increase his offensive output, his technical brilliance could be enough to see off the older champion.

Prediction: Dmitry Bivol by split decision. While Beterbiev’s power remains a constant threat, Bivol’s youth, superior stamina and refined game plan will likely tip the scales in his favor. Expect a grueling, close battle where the margin for error is slim. For both men, the stakes have never been higher. And if you think I’m confident in this prediction, you’d be out of your mind.