Undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev says he will “do something different” for his rematch with Dmitry Bivol on Saturday night. Knocking Bivol out will shut everyone up to where they can’t say anything.
It would finish the rivalry between them once and for all. Fans want to see Beterbiev fight David Benavidez already, and they don’t want to see a trilogy fight. ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez has a much more entertaining style of fighting than Bivol, and a battle between him and Beterbiev would be excellent for fans who prefer to see action rather than a lot of running around the ring.
Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) has something up his sleeves to remove the judges from the equation, so they can’t factor in the results. This could be a good thing because the last thing fans need is complaining about who won.
Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) lost his previous fight against Beterbiev on October 12th last year, but his promoter, Eddie Hearn, and pro-Bivol fans complained, giving the impression that the judges had given him a raw deal.
“Something Different”
“I want to defend my belts. I was happy with the first fight because I won. There are many things It’s too long to tell you. Let’s talk after the fight,” said Artur Beterbiev during today’s final press conference for his fight against Dmitry Bivol on Saturday night. “We’ll do something different for this fight. We’re working on it.”
Hearn’s Disappointment
“I thought it was a fantastic fight the first time around. It was one of the best fights I’ve seen up close,” said Eddie Hearn about the first fight between Beterbiev and Bivol. “For me, for nine rounds, Bivol completely dominated the fight, and yes, Beterbiev did come on strong and win 10, 11, and 12.
“I stand by that Bivol won the fight, but it was a fantastic fight between two great fighters. It’s done now, and it’s over. The great thing for the fans and for the fighters is that we get the opportunity to run it back,” said Hearn.
It’s good that Hearn isn’t a judge because his 9-3 score for Bivol would have angered many people if he were one of the three officials scoring the first Beterbiev-Bivol contest on October 12th. Bivol appeared to lose one of the first five rounds and won every round from the sixth. He was on the run for the last seven rounds and blew his chance of winning.
Beterbiev’s victory messed up things for Hearn because he hoped Bivol could lure Canelo Alvarez into a rematch by becoming undisputed champion last October. Beterbiev wouldn’t be given an immediate rematch the way Bivol. He’d have to wait for the bigger fight between Canelo and Bivol. Beterbiev’s victory upset Hearn’s big plans, and he still seems salty about it four months later.
“He’s got to do more. The judges didn’t have him winning, but I did,” said Eddie Hearn to Fight Hub TV, talking about his fighter Dmitry Bivol needing to fight harder for him to defeat undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in their rematch on Saturday night.
“At the same time, you’ve [Bivol] got to close out better, you’ve got to throw more punches later on. I think he’s going to win the fight,” Hearn continued about his fighter, Bivol. “It’s got to be clearer because I thought he won last time. I think it’ll always be close in this level of fight.
“He looks different this time, Dmitry, and I believe he’ll win the fight. In the arms, in the skin, in the face, everything,” said Hearn when asked how does Bivol look different physically this time compared to his previous fight with Beterbiev on October 12th.
“To be honest with you, Beterbiev looked good as well. So, you’re going to see a great fight,” said Hearn.
Hearn is right. Bivol has to throw more punches to win the rematch, will he? Probably not. His style is to throw one or two shots and retreat. It will be hard for him to throw more shots if he’s constantly retreating after throwing one or two punches at Beterbiev. If he tries to throw more punches, it will knock him out.
We saw how Bivol was hurt in the seventh round when he stood his ground long enough to exchange with Beterbiev. He got by a right hand from Artur and took off like a rocket. From that point on, Bivol never stopped for an instant. He was afraid.
Hearn needs to take the high road and not muddy the water by complaining about the decision if Bivol loses again. Hearn came across as a sore loser after the first fight and took away from Beterbiev’s moment of triumph by complaining. It’s doubtful that Hearn will change. So, if Beterbiev does win, hopefully, it’s by knockout, so fans are spared from listening to his complaints.
Last Updated on 02/20/2025
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