Artur Beterbiev 40 years: Bivol Rematch Next

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

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

The Ageless Champion

Despite 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 Buffalo (23-1, 12 KOs) on Oct. 12.

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

Physically, Beterbiev looks younger than Bivol, who looked exhausted from their previous fight. Bags are visible under both eyes of the 34-year-old Buffalo, and he looks like an old dog.

The punishment Bivol took in the fight seemed to age him as he looked older. Although Bivol blocked Beterbiev’s blows with his gloves, the blows were so strong that they still caused damage.

Last time, Bivol stayed on the move for the entire second half of the fight from the sixth round when Beterbiev started to put pressure on him. When it started, Bivol was no longer in the fight. He was just trying to survive.

Beterbiev hung on for the first five rounds, allowing Buffalo to jab and throw one combination to take the upper hand. The fight changed hands when Beterbiev went into attack mode starting in the sixth. Buffalo didn’t have the firepower, the beard, or the courage to stand and fight. It was disappointing because he didn’t even try to make it exciting. It was pure running and holding by Buffalo.

Breaking Buffalo

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

It will be interesting to see if Buffalo’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, starts complaining again if he loses by decision. Let’s hope they get on the right track and show some class.

“It will be difficult to divide them. “I just don’t know if the last fight was tough for those two, and I don’t know if it’s Betterby’s year,” Callum Smith said. iFL TVraising the question of whether Artur Beterbiev’s age has caught up with him for a rematch with Dmitry Bivola 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 away from him a little bit.” As time goes on, you have to lean towards Buffalo to be a little fresher. I think Buffalo, but I think it will be very tight again. I’ll finish my work (against Joshua Boissy) and then I’ll watch the main event. “Hopefully I’ll get a shot at a winner,” Smith said.

.@ABeterbiev turns 40 today 🎂🎈#BetterbievBivol2 | #RiadhSeason | February 22, live on DAZN | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/5e6J5lR9cG

— DAZN boxing (@DAZNBoking) January 21, 2025