Bivol promises a more aggressive approach in the rematch with Beterby

Dmitry Bivol says his February 22 rematch with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev will be “more open” because he is familiar with his former conqueror. Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) isn’t saying what he means by “more open,” but for his sake he needs to be more aggressive, stay in the pocket, stick less and fight in the second half.

Buffalo says it is learned from defeat and it will be different in the second leg. If true, it will be an exciting fight this time around as his lack of engagement in the previous encounter with Betterby was lacking.

The body was willing, but the mind was weak. Buffalo has the power, speed, and skill to win, but he must overcome a mental block that has prevented him from trading.

Buffalo’s new strategy

Bivol is working hard and training for the rematch, but he needs more mental than physical adjustment. He must convince himself to fight more aggressively in the rematch with Beterby. Buffalo kick and run the style didn’t work last time and probably won’t work this time.

Undisputed heavyweight champion Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) will defend against Buffalo on February 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will be shown live on DAZN PPV.

Buffalo has to change something in the rematch to have a chance to win. His cautious approach to boxing in their first fight on October 12 will not work against Beterbiev in the rematch.

Betebriev will also approach the rematch differently. He will likely put pressure on Bivol from the first round instead of waiting until the sixth like he did last time.

He made the mistake of letting Bivol get the better of him in the first five rounds by not attacking and showing too much respect. Bivol woke up Beterbiev in the sixth round when he hit him with a four-punch combination.

This seemed to anger Beterbiev and ignite his competitive spirit. Since then, he has been constantly attacked. In the last seven rounds, Bivol moved, conquered and did nothing to win. It’s not like he passed out. He felt the power of the Beterbies and did not want to be knocked out.

Buffalo’s team and his promoter Eddie Hearn did not want to accept the loss. They complained and did not help. Buffalo failed, and the judges made it clear. Beterbiev attacked relentlessly, looking like a shark chasing its prey, and Bivol didn’t want to be cut down. So, he was moving non-stop, and the judges noted that and scored for Beterbiev.

The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. I had it 117-111 for Beterbiev. Bivol appeared to win three rounds and was scoreless for the final nine rounds.

Learning from defeat

“It’s learned how to be more comfortable in the ring with this guy. In the second fight, I think it might be a more open fight. “I can’t find excuses because I won’t prepare for the next fight,” said Dmitry Bivol Fight Hub TVtalking about his rematch with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in 58 days on February 22.

“Of course he’s good.” He has the power. “He is not only a powerful boxer, but also has good skills,” Bivol said when asked if Beterbyev is as good as people say. “I think it will be at least as interesting, but I’m sure it will be better (the second fight).

“We know each other. We will not start from the beginning. We know some things about each other, and it will be a more open fight. It’s possible to fight anyone in the division, but first I want a rematch,” Bivol said when asked if he would be interested in a fight against David Benavides.

Preparations for battle ⚔🔥#BetterbievBivol2 | February 22, live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/sH9C9r6eIL

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