Undisputed Showdown: Beterbiev vs. Bivol II Set to Light Up Riyadh

By Gary Cromie: Under the shimmering desert skies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are poised to collide once more on February 22, 2025. The rematch, set to headline Turki Al-Sheikh’s blockbuster card in Riyadh, carries all the gravitas of unfinished business.

In a city where ancient traditions meet modern luxury, where one-humped camels and Ferraris share the visage, the stage is set for a titanic battle of wills and skills. Their first encounter in 2024 was a brutal chess match, with Beterbiev eking out a razor-thin decision to retain his unified light heavyweight titles and take Bivol’s WBA belt, becoming the undisputed champion at 175 pounds. Now, with both men looking to solidify their legacies, 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 proved to be the deciding factors. The fight was a classic contrast of styles: Beterbiev, the heavy-handed mauler who is light on his feet, versus 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 thudding shots, particularly to the body, wore Bivol down as the rounds progressed.

Key moments in the first fight included:

• Mid-Round Exchanges: Beterbiev’s hooks and uppercuts in close quarters began to sap Bivol’s energy by the championship rounds.
• Power Differential: While Bivol landed clean punches, his shots lacked the stopping power to keep Beterbiev at bay.
• Pressure and Pacing: Beterbiev’s relentless forward movement forced Bivol to fight off the back foot more than he’s accustomed to, limiting his offensive output.

Ultimately, the judges awarded Beterbiev a narrow decision, with many rounds being hotly contested. Fans in boxing chatrooms argued for days over who won the fight, but eventually, the clamor 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” to 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, tight-lipped in the aftermath, admitted he needed to do more to win the fight. Meanwhile, a bizarre subplot involving Bivol’s wife, who had 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 Dmitry quietly absorbed the drama with his usual stoicism.

Backgrounds: 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 remain elite.

Dmitry Bivol

• Age: 34 years old
• Nationality: Russian (born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan)
• Residence: St. 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 Must Do:

1. Maintain Relentless Pressure: Beterbiev needs to replicate 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 Bivol down. Doubling down on this strategy could 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 Must Do:

1. Increase Output: Bivol needs to throw more combinations and take risks to score points, particularly in the later rounds, where he faded in the first fight.
2. Control the Distance: Using lateral movement and a consistent jab, Bivol must 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 pivoting away from danger could tilt the fight in Bivol’s favor.

Prediction: Who Wins?

This fight remains as close to a 50-50 proposition as boxing gets. Does a trilogy loom on the horizon? Both men have the tools to win, but the victor will be the one who has learned the most from their first encounter and can execute adjustments flawlessly. Beterbiev’s raw power and ability to apply pressure could overwhelm Bivol again if the latter fails to up his work rate. Conversely, if Bivol can maintain his composure and increase his offensive output, his technical brilliance may be enough to outpoint 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 are likely to tip the scales in his favor. Expect a grueling, closely contested battle where the margin for error is razor-thin. For both men, the stakes have never been higher. And, if you think I’m confident in this prediction, you’d have to be out of your mind.