Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol Prediction
🔊 Will boxing fans witness an epic trilogy? The answer to this question will depend on how the second fight for the title of undisputed light heavyweight champion between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol concludes. Last October, the long-awaited bout between the undefeated Russian athletes finally took place, with Artur claiming victory (by majority decision). However, many boxing stars were dissatisfied with the verdict. Riyadh Season boss Turki Al-Sheikh expressed a similar opinion and organized an immediate rematch, which will take place on February 22 at the "Kingdom Arena" in Riyadh.
Artur Beterbiev Team Overview
Heading into the first encounter with Bivol, Artur had an exemplary record, having won all his professional bouts by knockout. However, his physical condition couldn't be described as exemplary. Due to a meniscus injury, the training camp for the epochal fight was incomplete, and its effects were clearly noticeable during the bout itself. Nevertheless, Beterbiev managed to handle what many considered an awkward opponent for him. Most of the Chechen's punches landed on the guard, but they were so heavy that they still left bruises on Dmitry's face. By delivering a greater number of punches (including power shots) and working as the aggressor, Artur claimed victory by decision, becoming the first undisputed light heavyweight champion since Roy Jones.
Match Results: Artur Beterbiev
Dmitry Bivol Team Overview
The native of Kyrgyzstan entered the bout with Beterbiev in excellent form. He had a perfect record (23-0) and had secured his first early victory in a long time a few months earlier by knocking out Malik Zinad. In the fight for the title of undisputed champion, Dmitry performed well at long range, but that effort was not enough. Bivol often hid behind a tight guard, only occasionally intercepting Artur's attacks. He also clearly struggled in the championship rounds, looking unconvincing, which likely influenced the judges' decision. By the way, Dmitry accepted the defeat with dignity, agreeing with the verdict.
Match Results: Dmitry Bivol
Editorial Prediction
Of course, the organizers are interested in a third fight, and, in our opinion, it might happen. Bivol realized his mistakes, noting that he moved too little and didn't throw enough punches, relying on power shots instead. If he corrects these aspects in the rematch and works from a longer distance, Beterbiev could face significant problems.
However, we won't bet on the outcome. The fight promises to be very close, as confirmed by the odds, and the likelihood of an early finish seems low. A knockout could only be expected from Artur, but in October he wasn't close to seriously shaking Dmitry, and it's unlikely that will change now. Our editorial team believes that the rematch will also go to a decision, which is what we recommend betting on.
