Artur Beterbiev Age 40: Bivol Rematch Next

by

Artur Beterbiev turned 40 years young today, heading into the title defense of his undisputed light heavyweight championship against Dmitry Bivol on February 22nd in Riyadh.

Bivol’s getting a second chance due to complaints from fans and his promoter about his loss. It looked like a fair decision. Beterbiev wanted it more, and Bivol was just interested in trying not to get knocked out. When you run like Bivol, you don’t win. It’s simple.

The Ageless Champion

Despite coming off knee surgery for a ruptured meniscus in May 2024, Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) looked like the younger, fresher fighter and defeated the previously unbeaten WBA champion Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) on October 12th.

The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. Fighting with just one good leg, Beterbiev chased Bivol around the ring and looked like a dog chasing a scared cat. Bivol, with two healthy legs, had no fight in him.

Physically, Beterbiev looks younger than Bivol, who has appeared haggard since their previous fight. You can see bags under both of the 34-year-old Bivol’s eyes, and he has an old hound dog look to him.

The punishment that Bivol took in the fight appeared to age him as he looked older. Although Bivol was blocking Beterbiev’s shots with his gloves, the punches were so hard that they still did the damage.

Last time, Bivol stayed on the move the entire second half of the fight from the sixth round on when Beterbiev began to apply pressure on him. Once that started, Bivol was no longer in the fight. He was just trying to survive.

Beterbiev had held off in the first five rounds, letting Bivol jab and throw one combination to get the better of the action. The fight changed hands when Beterbiev went into attack mode starting in the sixth. Bivol didn’t have the firepower, chin, or bravery to stand and fight. It was disappointing because he didn’t even try to make it exciting. It was pure running and holding from Bivol.

Breaking Bivol

If Beterbiev chooses to attack right away in the rematch, this will be a rout because Bivol doesn’t have the punching power or the chin to battle him. Moreover, he’s less willing to exchange power shots than other fighters in the light heavyweight division.  Bivol hates getting hit, and he is terrified of being nailed by Beterbiev.

It’ll be interesting to see if Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, starts complaining again if he loses by decision. Hopefully, he will take the high road and show some class.

“It’s going to be hard to split them. I just don’t know if the last fight was tough for two of them, and I don’t know if Beterbiev’s age,” said Callum Smith to iFL TV, questioning whether Artur Beterbiev’s age has caught up to him going into his rematch with Dmitry Bivol on February 22nd.

“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 the time goes on, you’ve got to lean towards Bivol to be a little bit fresher. I think Bivol, but I think it’s going to be very tight again. I’ll get my job done [against Joshua Buatsi] and then watch the main event. Hopefully, I’ll get a shot at the winner,” said Smith.



https://www.boxingnews24.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/beterbiev-vs-bivol097.jpg

2025-01-21 23:09:40

Leave a Comment