Sergey Kovalev selects former WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to defeat undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev in a rematch in eight weeks (56 days) on February 22 in Riyadh.
Former 175-pound unified champion Kovalev saw Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) win his previous fight against Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) seven rounds to five and sees himself victorious the second time around. Kovalev says with a laugh that once Bivol wins, a three-way match will be set up.
Beterbiev's new plan?
Beterbiev defeated Bivol by pressure, winning a 12-round majority decision on October 12. The scores were 115-113, 116-112, and 114-114. Bivol fought well early, using his boxing skills to win rounds against an unusually cagey Beterbiev.
But the fight changed completely when Beterbiev started pressing in the sixth game, and it was no longer competitive. Bivol looked like a mouse being chased around the ring by a cat, and it was clear he wanted no part of the mix. After the fight, Beterbiev hinted that he would fight completely differently in the rematch.
He probably meant that he would attack immediately instead of waiting until the halfway point like he did last time. Beterbiev now knows that Bivol cannot handle the pressure, is becoming mentally unattached, and lacks the strength, chin or courage to stand in the trenches. The Bivol was not built for war. He's the kind of guy who stays behind, working to support the troops.
“In the last fight, I thought Bivol had seven rounds to five. Yes, I think so. He won 7-5 and will be more confident in the rematch and will get the win. He will win, and then there will be a third fight,” Sergei Kovalev said. Combat Center TVexpressing his thoughts on the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol on February 22.
Potential rematch tactics for Bivol
It will be very difficult for Bivol to win the rematch with his fighting style because he is not equipped to stand up and fight Beterbiev. What Bivol will likely do in a rematch to win an ugly decision are these tactics:
– Decisiveness when Beterbiev approaches
– Hit and run
-More movement
– Late flushes
Fans on social media overwhelmingly believe Bivol deserves to win the first fight, and feel he will defeat Beterbiev in the rematch. Many of them feel this will be an easy victory for Bivol, who they feel is a much better fighter than Beterbiev. There could be a lot of pro-Bivol fans upset if he fails to do the job in the rematch because he can't fight any better than he did last time.
The only person who can improve in the second fight is Beterbiev by applying pressure from the beginning instead of waiting until the sixth round like last time.
