Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: A Clash of Titans in the Desert
Boxing fans, get ready 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 impressive record of 21-0, 20 KOs, is no stranger to the spotlight. He secured a majority decision victory over Bivol last October, adding the WBA belt to his collection of WBC, WBO, and IBF titles. This victory marked the end of Beterbiev’s 20-fight KO streak, as it was the first time he went the distance. Beterbiev has been a dominant force in the boxing world, holding at least one of the belts since November 11, 2017. This upcoming fight will be his 10th defense of the IBF title, seventh defense 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.” These words reflect his relentless pursuit of perfection and his determination to improve.
On the other side of the ring, Dmitry Bivol, with a record of 23-1, 12 KOs, is eager for redemption. Bivol suffered the first defeat of his professional career against Beterbiev, despite landing more punches (142 to 137) and being more effective, with a 34% success rate 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 said. “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 at -125 per ESPN BET. The anticipation is building, and fans are eager to see if Bivol can turn the tables this time around.
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 fight 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, showcasing his defensive prowess.
- 95%: Knockout percentage for Beterbiev in his 21 professional fights, the highest among all current champions.
As we gear up for this epic rematch, the numbers tell a story of two fighters with distinct styles and strengths. Beterbiev’s power and relentless pressure will be pitted against Bivol’s precision and defensive skills. It’s a classic clash of styles that promises to deliver fireworks in the ring.
With six title fights on the main card, including bouts featuring Shakur Stevenson, Carlos Adames, and Vergil Ortiz Jr., this event is a must-watch for boxing enthusiasts. The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh will be the stage for an unforgettable night of boxing action.
Originally Written by: Andres Ferrari
