Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: A Clash of Titans in the Desert
Boxing fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling showdown as Artur Beterbiev prepares to defend his undisputed light heavyweight championship against Dmitry Bivol in a highly anticipated rematch. This electrifying bout is set to take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will be broadcast on DAZN PPV at 11 a.m. ET. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable as these two warriors step into the ring once again.
Artur Beterbiev, with an impeccable record of 21-0, including 20 knockouts, is a force to be reckoned with. His previous encounter with Bivol ended in a majority decision victory, allowing him to add the WBA belt to his collection of WBC, WBO, and IBF titles. This marked the first time Beterbiev went the distance, breaking his 20-fight knockout streak. Since November 11, 2017, Beterbiev has held at least one of these prestigious belts, showcasing an impressive reign as a champion for over seven years. This upcoming fight will be his 10th defense of the IBF title, seventh of the WBC title, fourth of the WBO title, and first of the WBA belt.
Despite his victory, Beterbiev was not entirely satisfied with his performance. “I wanted to box today with more quality,” he admitted. “I don’t know why, but I didn’t like this fight. But I’ll be better one day.” His determination to improve and deliver a more polished performance adds an intriguing layer to this rematch.
On the other side of the ring, Dmitry Bivol, with a record of 23-1 and 12 knockouts, is eager to avenge his first professional defeat. In their previous encounter, Bivol landed more punches than Beterbiev, with 142 to 137, and was more effective, landing 34% of his punches compared to Beterbiev’s 20%. However, the judges’ scorecards read 113-115, 112-116, and 114-114, resulting in a loss for Bivol. “I have another chance,” Bivol stated. “Not too many people get another chance. People like the fight which they saw the first time and they want to see it again, see me in the ring again. It’s good, I have to work for it.”
As the rematch approaches, Beterbiev is a slight favorite to win, with odds of -125 according to ESPN BET. The anticipation is building, and fans are eager to see if Bivol can capitalize on his second chance or if Beterbiev will once again assert his dominance.
In the co-main event, Joseph Parker will face Martin Bakole after IBF champion Daniel Dubois was forced to withdraw due to illness. The winner of this bout could potentially face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed championship. Parker, a former WBO heavyweight champion, is on a five-fight winning streak, including decision victories over Deontay Wilder in 2023 and Zhilei Zhang last March. Meanwhile, Bakole has won 10 consecutive fights, eight by stoppage, since his loss to Michael Hunter in 2018. In August, Bakole defeated Jared Anderson by fifth-round KO on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov card in Los Angeles.
By the Numbers: Beterbiev vs. Bivol
- 23: Combined number of title fights for Beterbiev and Bivol (Bivol 13, Beterbiev 10).
- 3: Russian-born male boxers to hold at least three world titles at one time (Beterbiev, Kostya Tszyu, and Sergey Kovalev).
- 12: Undisputed men champions in boxing’s four-belt era.
- 1: Undisputed light heavyweight champion in the four-belt era. Beterbiev earned this distinction with a narrow victory over Bivol in October.
- 50%: Percentage of power punches landed by Bivol against Beterbiev in their first encounter.
- 13.8%: Percentage of landed punches against Bivol in his 24 professional fights, including his defeat to Beterbiev.
- 95%: Knockout percentage for Beterbiev in his 21 professional fights, the highest among all current champions.
As the countdown to the rematch continues, boxing enthusiasts are eagerly analyzing these statistics and pondering the potential outcomes. Will Beterbiev’s power and experience prevail, or will Bivol’s precision and determination lead to an upset? The answers will be revealed in the ring, where every punch, jab, and movement will contribute to the unfolding drama.
With a card featuring six title fights, including three for major world titles and three for interim titles, this event promises to be a spectacle of skill, strategy, and sheer willpower. As the fighters prepare to make history, fans around the world are gearing up for a night of unforgettable action.
Originally Written by: Andres Ferrari
