Benavidez Sr: Bivol Takes Rematch With Beterbiev

Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. is picking Dmitry 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 the former WBA 175-lb champion Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) won the first fight against Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) by “one point” on October 12th last year. He sees Bivol doing it again in their rematch next month.

Benavidez Sr. states that Bivol was “faster’ and his “movement” was key in his mind for why he deserved the victory over Beterbiev. He didn’t mention how timid and unwilling to engage Bivol was from the sixth round. He left that part out.

Bivol showed no heart as he ran around the ring, fleeing the wolf, Beterbiev, in the entire second half of the contest. Many fans seemed to have decided who won based on the first six rounds, and then mentally went to sleep in the second half as Beterbiev took over the fight.

Confirmation Bias In Boxing

It’s called confirmation bias, and it occurs when people form their opinions early, making snap judgments about events, such as the Bivol-Beterbiev 1 fight. The people who felt that Bivol won collectively made up their minds after six rounds and then looked for evidence to support their anchored 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 fight. We’ve seen both of them have done the best that they could. Both of their styles work for each other, and I believe in the first fight, Bivol won. For this fight, Bivol can win again,” said Jose Benavidez Sr. to Sean Zittel about his thoughts on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch coming up on February 22nd.

“He’s a little bit faster, has more movement,” said Jose Sr. about Bivol. “Beterbiev hits hard, and he’s probably waiting for that big shot. Bivol, hopefully, he doesn’t stand in front of him and gets 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 fight. To 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,” said Benavidez Sr.

Benavidez’s Stake

If Bivol is victorious in the rematch with Beterbiev, it works for Jose Benavidez Sr. because his son, ‘The Mexican Monster,’ David Benavidez, matches up better with Bivol. They sparred in the past, and Benavidez reportedly got the better of him with his pressure and volume.

Benavidez wouldn’t do as well against Beterbiev because he hits a lot harder with his short-power punches and is an excellent counter-puncher. The volume that Benavidez depends on to win his fights will leave him open to getting nailed by Artur and hurt.

Moreover, Beterbiev goes to the body well, and he’s taken advantage of Benavidez’s major weakness in that area. Benavidez doesn’t handle body shots well, and Beterbiev would target that area frequently, hitting him in between his flurries to score a knockout.

If Beterbiev is victorious against Bivol on February 22nd, Benavidez is going to have to think seriously about whether he wants to take this fight or move up to cruiserweight to go after Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.

Of course, that’s if ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez wins his fight against WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1st. There’s an excellent chance that Morrell will win that fight with his superior power, 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. will probably cheer for Bivol to win the rematch, knowing what’s at stake for his son, Benavidez.