Artur Beterbiev turns 40 today, heading into his undisputed light heavyweight title defense against Dmitry Bivol on February 22 in Riyadh.
Bevol Get a second chance Due to complaints from fans and promoters about his loss. It seemed like a fair decision. Beterbiev wanted it more, and Bivol was only interested in trying not to get disqualified. When you run like Bivol, you don't win. It's simple.
An ageless hero
Despite undergoing knee surgery for a torn meniscus in May 2024, Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) looked like a younger, fresher fighter and defeated previously undefeated WBA champion Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) in 12 October.
The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. Fighting with only one leg, Beterbiev chased Bivol around the ring and looked like a dog chasing a frightened cat. Bivol, with two good legs, had no fight.
Physically, Beterbiev looks younger than Bivol, who looked tired since their previous fight. You can see the bags under the 34-year-old Bivol's eyes, and he looks up at him like an old hound.
It seemed that the punishment Bivol received in the fight made him age because he looked older. Although Bivol was blocking Beterbiev's shots with his gloves, the punches were so powerful that they caused damage.
Last time out, Bivol stayed on his toes throughout the second half of the fight from the sixth round when Beterbiev started pressuring him. Once that started, Bivol no longer participated in the fighting. He was just trying to survive.
Beterbiev had held out for the first five rounds, allowing Bivol to hit and throw one set to get the best of him. The fight changed when Beterbiev went into attack mode starting in the sixth. Bivol didn't have the firepower, chin, or courage to stand up and fight. It was disappointing because he didn't even try to make it exciting. It was just a run and grab from Bivol.
Bivol broke
If Beterbiev chooses to attack right away in the rematch, it will be a defeat because Bivol doesn't have the punching power or chin to fight him. Furthermore, he is less willing to trade power shots than other fighters in the light heavyweight division. Bivol hates getting hit, and fears Beterbiev will nail him.
It will be interesting to see if Bivol's promoter, Eddie Hearn, starts complaining again if he loses by decision. Hopefully he takes the high road and shows some class.
“It will be difficult to split them up. I don’t know if the last fight was tough for a couple of them, I don’t know if it was Omar Beterbiev,” Callum Smith said. EFL TVwondering if Artur Beterbiev's age contributed to his rematch with Dmitry Bivol on February 22.
“We keep saying he's going to start looking his age, but I don't know in that fight if it took a little bit out of him. The longer it goes on, you have to lean towards Bivol to be a little bit fresher. I think Bivol, but I think it's going to be tight Very well again. I'll do my job (against Joshua Buatsi) and then watch the main event. “Hopefully I'll have a chance to win,” Smith said.
.@ABeterbiev He is 40 years old today 🎂🎈#betterbievbeful2 | #Riyadh Season | February 22, live on DAZN | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/5e6J5lR9cG
– DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 21, 2025
