Sergey Kovalev is picking former WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to defeat undisputed champ Artur Beterbiev in their rematch in eight weeks [56 days] on February 22nd in Riyadh.
The former unified 175-lb champion Kovalev saw Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) win his previous fight against Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) by seven rounds to five and sees him victorious the second time. A laughing Kovalev says that once Bivol wins, a trilogy match will be set up.
Beterbiev’s New Plan?
Beterbiev defeated Bivol with pressure, winning a 12-round majority decision on October 12th. The scores were 115-113, 116-112, and 114-114. Bivol fought well early, using his boxing skills to win rounds against the unusually cautious-looking Beterbiev.
However, the fight completely changed when Beterbiev started applying pressure in the sixth, and it was no longer competitive. Bivol resembled a mouse being chased by a cat around the ring, and it was obvious that he wanted no part of mixing it up. After the fight, Beterbiev hinted that he’d fight entirely differently in the rematch.
He likely means that he will attack right away rather than wait until the midpoint like he did last time. Beterbiev knows now that Bivol can’t handle pressure, becomes unglued mentally, and lacks the power, chin, or bravery to stand in the trenches. Bivol isn’t built for war. He’s more of the type who stays in the rear, working in support of the troops.
“In the last fight, I thought Bivol got seven rounds against five. Yeah, I think so. 7-5, he won, and he will be more confident in the rematch and will get the victory. He’ll get a win, and then there will be a third fight,” said Sergey Kovalev to Fight Hub TV, giving his thoughts on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch on February 22nd.
Bivol’s Possible Rematch Tactics
It will be very difficult for Bivol to win the rematch with his fighting style because he’s not equipped to stand and fight Beterbiev. What Bivol will probably be doing in the rematch to win an ugly decision are these tactics:
– Clinching when Beterbiev gets near
– Hit & run
– More movement
– Late flurries
Fans on social media overwhelmingly believe Bivol deserved to win the first fight, and they feel he’s going to defeat Beterbiev in the rematch. Many of them feel it’s going to be an easy victory for Bivol, who they feel is a much better fighter than Beterbiev. There could be a lot of upset pro-Bivol fans if he fails to do the job in the rematch because he can’t fight any better than he did last time.
The only one who can improve in the second fight is Beterbiev by applying pressure right from the start rather than waiting until the sixth round like last time.
