Tale of the Tape: Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2
One of the best fights of 2024 is about to get a reboot.
On Feb. 22, Artur Beterbiev will defend his undisputed light heavyweight championship against Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, when the two square off for the second time in five months.
The pair fought a 12-round thriller last October, which resulted in a majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 116-112) for Beterbiev. Pundits, as well as Bivol's promoter and camp, believed the judges chose the wrong winner.
However, Bivol didn't see it that way.
"I feel empty, emotionally now. I went to the ring to win this fight, but I don't have my belts," Bivol said following the first loss of his decorated career, according to Sky Sports Boxing.
"From my side, I'm trying to do everything perfect, everything amazing, but I didn't. ... I feel like I lost because I don't have my belts. I didn't do everything perfect, and I have to do everything perfect. I'm trying to forget about it and move forward."
The two combatants return to Riyadh to fight for the prestigious title of undisputed champion, an appellation the undefeated Beterbiev doesn't take lightly after he recently turned 40 years old.
"When we did the debriefing of the (first) fight, I sat down with Artur and said, 'Listen Artur, it's probably the biggest win as a coach that I've ever had, and it's your biggest win also, but I'm not happy. I'm not happy about the result, and I believe we can do way better than what we did,'" Beterbiev's coach Marc Ramsay told DAZN Boxing.
"Artur looked at me and said, 'I feel the same way. I'm happy because I won undisputed championship, but to be honest, I know that I can do better. It's not about titles. It's not about Bivol. It's what we can do in that ring, and we know that we can do better.'"
During a recent face-to-face interview with TNT Sports Boxing, both boxers said they believe they're better prepared for their opponent entering the rematch. Given how close the first contest was, that should make for another instant classic.
The two Russian fighters are so closely matched that the betting lines entering the bout are as tight as possible, with Beterbiev a slight favorite.
Both Beterbiev and Bivol appear laser-focused on the rematch. While Beterbiev's goal is "to keep my belts" and his undefeated record intact, Bivol has one thing on his mind.
"This is not only about belts. I want revenge," he said.
Will Bivol get what he desires? Or will Beterbiev take down his fellow countryman for a second time and prove he's the most dominant light heavyweight in the world yet again?
We'll find out Feb. 22 in Riyadh.