Beterbiev plans to “correct and improve” in the Bivol Rematch

Artur Beterbiev says he expects his rematch with Dmitry Bivol to be a completely different fight when they meet in a rematch on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KO) will defend his undisputed light heavyweight title for the first time after earning the final belt he needed to claim that distinction against Bivol on October 12 in a 12-round majority decision.

Rematch strategies

While Bivol says he should move more in the rematch than he did in the first fight, Beterbiev appears to be going the other way, hinting that he will be more aggressive early. Artur gave up several first rounds by not attacking Bivol.

Once Beterbiev got on the attack, the attack was one-sided, as he chased Bivol around the ring, hitting him with heavy blows, and dealing with constant fists. It was clear that Dimitri had no fight when he was attacked.

Bivol (23-1, 12 KO), his promoter Eddie Hearn, and the fans still believed he deserved to win based on his technical skills, but the judges saw it differently. They scored the score 115-112, 116-112 for Beterbiev, and 114-114.

“I think he’s right. We already know how each of us fights. We’ve seen each other,” Artur Beterbiev told the media, in response to being told that Kostya Tszyu said he expects the rematch with Dmitry Bivol to be a completely different type of fight. “I think, of course, it will be a different fight.

“Some things can be corrected and improved. Well, him [Bivol] The punches are those of a boxer. “I probably won’t move there,” Beterbiev said of the fight he had with Oleksandr Usyk. “From a sporting point of view, I would be interested in this fight because we are Olympic boxers [2012] And world championships.

“It would be interesting to try as professionals. Not for the money, although money is nice. But my interest in this fight would be purely sporting. Much more than monetary.

Early aggression

There wouldn’t be much difference in the rematch other than Beterbiev attacking immediately and Bivol moving in circles for three minutes of each round. Dmitri won’t try to fight because he was hurt the last time he tried, and doesn’t have the strength or chin to brawl with Beterbiev. Therefore, he will try to win the decision by hitting and running.

“It’s surprising to me how he changes positions,” Beterbiev said of Terence Crawford. “It’s unbelievable that he’s not a southpaw but he can switch in both directions. He even said he’s doing some drills he’s seen from me,” Beterbiev said.