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The boxing world is buzzing with anticipation as two of the sport’s elite light heavyweights, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, prepare to square off in their highly awaited rematch this Saturday, February 22, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—a city quickly establishing itself as the new epicenter of big-time prizefighting.
Beterbiev, the reigning WBC, IBF, WBO, and WBA Super Champion, will look to reaffirm his dominance, while Bivol, hungry for redemption, is determined to reclaim the belts he lost in their first encounter on October 12, 2024. That fight ended in a hotly contested majority decision with scorecards reading 115-113, 116-112, and 114-114—a verdict that sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
In that bout, Bivol entered as the undefeated WBA Super Champion, having held the belt for seven years with 11 successful defenses and an unblemished 23-0 record with 12 knockouts. Through the first eight rounds, he appeared to be cruising toward another decision victory, using his superior footwork and precision punching. But Beterbiev, a relentless pressure fighter with an astounding 20 knockouts in as many fights, turned the tide in the championship rounds. Targeting Bivol’s midsection with thudding shots, he forced the usually composed Russian into survival mode, limiting his offensive output.
The 26,000 fans in attendance reacted with boos and mixed emotions when the decision was announced, with many believing Bivol had done enough to win. However, the fight was razor-close—a tactical chess match where every round was up for grabs. This set the stage for one of the most anticipated rematches in recent boxing history.
A TOUGH FIGHT TO PREDICT
Given how the first fight played out, many expect a similarly intense, tactical battle, though both fighters will likely make key adjustments. Bivol, who cemented his status as an elite fighter by outclassing Canelo Álvarez in May 2022, will look to impose his high-guard, lateral movement, and sharp counterpunching against Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and punishing power.
CompuBox stats from their first encounter show Bivol landed 142 punches to Beterbiev’s 137, including a 58-47 advantage in jabs. However, Beterbiev landed the more damaging shots, holding a 90-84 edge in power punches, which may have influenced the judges’ decision.
Bookmakers have Beterbiev as a slight favorite, thanks to his perfect knockout ratio and fight-altering power. His vicious left hook remains his deadliest weapon. However, some analysts believe Bivol’s age advantage (34 vs. 40) could play a factor, though Beterbiev has shown no signs of slowing down.
The consensus? Too close to call. Some lean toward Bivol’s precision and youth, others favor Beterbiev’s ferocity and finishing ability. The safest bet? “We’ll see when the sun rises.”
STACKED UNDERCARD
This blockbuster event, promoted by Top Rank and streamed live on DAZN, is overseen by Turki Alalshikh, Saudi Arabia’s rising power broker in global boxing.
The undercard features a stacked lineup of world-class matchups, including:
Daniel Dubois (UK) vs. Joseph Parker (New Zealand) – IBF Heavyweight Title
Shakur Stevenson (USA) vs. Floyd Schofield (USA) – WBC Lightweight Title
Carlos Adames (Dominican Republic) vs. Hamzah Sheeraz (UK) – WBC Middleweight Title
Vergil Ortiz Jr. (USA) vs. Israil Madrimov (Uzbekistan) – WBC Interim Super Welterweight Title
Zhilei Zhang (China) vs. Agit Kabayel (Germany) – WBC Interim Heavyweight Title
Joshua Buatsi (UK) vs. Callum Smith (UK) – WBO Interim Light Heavyweight Title
With a night loaded with championship action, all eyes will be on Riyadh as Beterbiev and Bivol settle their unfinished business in a fight that could define their legacies.
