Artur Beterbiev says his team has changed “some things” for his rematch against Dmitry Bivol on February 22. The changes to undisputed light heavyweight champion Beterbiev’s (21-0, 20 KOs) team are likely to put more pressure, and not let Bivol to escape when he goes around the ring.
Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) will not stop and trade, as he will not go more than a few rounds against Beterbiev in their rematch in Riyadh. We saw that last time.
Practice to Win
In one incident in the fight where Bivol stopped in the seventh round, Beterbiev clipped him, and he was injured. It was the first and last time Bivol tried to trade in this fight.
In the rematch, Bivol will use Shakur-esque hit and run the style he used in the first fight with Beterbiev, but he will probably enter a lot of breathing. When Bivol caught up with their previous conflict, he removed Artur’s guilt and took control of him.
Beterbiev is a smart fighter, and has fought many fighters in the past who have used overhand holds to cover his offense. You will know how to deal with this strategy. It would be very exciting for the fans if Bivol chose to fight Beterbiev, as this card will be shown live on DAZN PPV. However, Bivol is looking for the most profitable match of the trilogy, and the only way he can get that is by knocking out Beterbiev on February 22nd to win. If that means hitting, running, and catching all night, that’s what Bivol will do.
Tactical Shift
“My team, we have changed different things, but we will not tell you. The second fight, we will see what happens there,” said Artur Beterbiev speaking to Pro Boxing fans, reacting to being told that Anthony Joshua has chosen Dmitry Bivol to beat him in the rematch on February 22.
“Mentally, you have to focus. Even if someone said it was a close fight, I felt like I won,” said Beterbiev about his previous clash with Bivol on October 12 last year. “We need enough change 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 had won the war. I didn’t see that [Beterbiev’s power getting to Bivol].”
☝️ @bivol_d 👑#BeterbievBivol2 | February 22 | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/CzQMuZsCMf
– Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 17, 2025
Beterbiev vs. Bivol face off for the second time in the epic event of The Last Crescendo for the Uncontested 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
