Artur Beterbiev says his team changed “some things” with his return game against Dmitry Bivol on February 22. Changes to the team for undisputed welterweight champion Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) will likely include applying more pressure and not allowing Buffalo to escape as he moves around the ring.
Bivol (23-1, 12 KO) will not stop and change, because he will not last more than a few rounds against Beterbiev in their rematch in Riyadh. We saw that last time.
Adaptation to win
In one instance, in a fight where Bivol was on the ground in the seventh round, Beterbiev clipped him and he was staggered. It was the first and last time Bivol tried to trade in a fight.
In the rematch, Bivol will use Shakur-esque hit and run the style he used in the first fight with Beterbiev, but will likely include a lot of clinch. As Bivol held, he neutralized Arthur’s attack and controlled him. He would get close enough to throw his short punches. It’s boring to watch Buffalo run and hold, but that’s his only way to victory.
Dmitry is not builtBivol is not built to fight a powerhouse like Beterbiev and does not have the amateur background to be that type of fighter. Bivol was a good amateur, but not at the level of double Olympian Beterbiev.
However, Beterbiev is a smart fighter, and has fought many fighters in the past who used excessive holding to stop his offense. He will know what to do to deal with this tactic.
Tactical change
“My team, we have changed some things, but we cannot tell you. In the second fight, we will see what will happen there,” said Artur Beterbiev for Professional boxing fansreacting to the information that Anthony Joshua has selected Dmitry Bivolo to beat him in their rematch on February 22nd.
“Mentally, you have to be focused. Even if someone says it’s a close fight, I felt I won,” Beterbiev said of his previous bout against Bivolo on October 12 last year. “We need enough changes to win. It didn’t surprise me, but he did a good job,” said Artur when asked if Dmitry did something in the first fight that “surprised” him.
“I felt I won the fight. I didn’t see that [Beterbiev’s power getting to Bivol].”
☝️ @bivol_d 👑#BeterbievBivol2 | February 22 | @DAZNBoks pic.twitter.com/CzQMuZsCMf
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 17, 2025
Beterbiev vs Bivol face off for the second time in the historic The Last Crescendo event for the undisputed 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
