Artur Beterbiev says his team has changed “some things” with his game for his rematch against Dmitry Bivol on February 22nd. The changes the team of undisputed light heavyweight champion Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) are likely to involve applying more pressure, and not allowing Bivol to escape when he moves around the ring.
Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) will not stand and trade, as he won’t last more than a few rounds against Beterbiev in their rematch in Riyadh. We saw that last time.
Adapting for Victory
In the one instance in the fight where Bivol stood his ground in the seventh round, Beterbiev clipped him, and he was hurt. That was the first and last time Bivol attempted to trade in the fight.
In the rematch, Bivol will use the Shakur-esque hit-and-run style he employed in the first fight with Beterbiev, but he’ll likely include a lot of clinching. When Bivol held in their previous clash, he neutralized Artur’s offense and controlled him.
Beterbiev is a smart fighter, and he’s fought many fighters in the past that have used excessive holding to shut down his offense. He’ll know what to do to deal with this tactic. It would be more exciting for the fans if Bivol chooses to brawl with Beterbiev, as this card will be shown live on DAZN PPV. However, Bivol wants the lucrative trilogy match, and the only way he can get that is by out-slicking Beterbiev on February 22nd to win. If that means hitting, running, and holding all night, that’s what Bivol will do.
Tactical Shift
“My team, we changed some different things, but we can’t tell you. The second fight, we’re going to see what happens there,” said Artur Beterbiev to Pro Boxing Fans, reacting to being told that Anthony Joshua picked Dmitry Bivol to beat him in the rematch on February 22nd.
“Mentally, you need to be focused. Even if someone says it’s a close fight, I felt that I won,” said Beterbiev about his previous clash against Bivol on October 12th last year. “We need change enough to win. It didn’t surprise me, but he did a good job,” said Artur when asked if Dmitry did anything in the first fight that ‘surprised’ him.
“I felt I won the fight. I didn’t see that [Beterbiev’s power getting to Bivol].”
☝️ @bivol_d 👑#BeterbievBivol2 | Feb 22 | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/CzQMuZsCMf
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 17, 2025
Beterbiev vs. Bivol face off for the second time in the historic event The Last Crescendo for the undisputed World Championship 🔥🥊
Riyadh 📍
February 22 🗓️Book your tickets now👇https://t.co/8aQHpjE9Un#BigTime#RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/13ElUfG02F
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) January 16, 2025
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