Undisputed showdown: Beterbiev vs. Buffalo II will light up Riyadh

Would Gary Cromey: Under the glittering desert skies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to clash again on February 22, 2025. The rematch, which will headline Turki Al-Sheikh’s blockbuster card in Riyadh, carries all the gravity of unfinished business.

In a city where ancient traditions meet modern luxury, where one-humped camels and Ferraris share face, the stage is set for a titanic battle of wills and skills. Their first meeting in 2024 was a brutal chess match, with Beterbiev making a razor-thin decision to retain his unified light heavyweight titles and take Bivol’s WBA belt, making him the undisputed champion at 175 pounds. Now, with both men looking to cement their legacies, this rematch promises to be a spectacle of skill, power and tactical brilliance.

First fight: Why Beterbiev won

In their initial clash, Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and devastating power proved to be the deciding factors. The fight was a classic contrast of styles: Beterbiev, a fearless mauler who is light on his feet, against Bivol, a maestro of stick and movement with beautiful rhythm. Bivol’s striking and footwork allowed him to control large portions of the fight, but Beterbiev’s ability to close the distance and land shots, especially to the body, wore Bivol down as the rounds wore on.

The key moments in the first fight are:

• Exchange in the middle of the circle: Hooks and uppercuts by Beterbiev from close range began to drain Buffalo’s energy until the championship rounds.
• Power differential: While Bivol landed clean punches, his punches lacked the stopping power to keep Beterbiev at bay.
• Pressure and Pacing: Betterby’s relentless forward movement forced Buffalo to fight off the back foot more than he’s used to, limiting his offensive output.

In the end, the judges awarded Beterbiev a close decision, with many rounds being hotly contested. Boxing fans argued for days about who won the fight, but eventually the uproar died down. However, no fight recap would be complete without mentioning Eddie Hearn’s epic breakdown. Never one to miss an opportunity to complain, Hearn labeled the result a “robbery” to any idiot standing around holding a microphone. His merciless tirade was as entertaining as it was undignified, especially when juxtaposed against Buffalo’s silent class. Bivol, who was subsequently imprisoned, admitted that he had to do more to win the fight. Meanwhile, a bizarre subplot involving Bivolo’s wife, who publicly criticized him on YouTube while openly rooting for Beterbiev, added an awkward sideshow to the proceedings. In the court of public opinion, both Eddie and Mrs. Bivol came second, while Dmitri quietly absorbed the drama with his usual stoicism.

Background: from amateur to professional

Artur Beterbiev

• Age: 40 years
• Nationality: Russian (born in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia)
• Residence: Montreal, Canada
• Amateur record: 295-5, decorated career that includes two gold medals at the World Championships.
• Professional record: 21-0 (20 KOs), known for his impressive knockout power.
• Style: Beterbiev’s blend of pressure and power makes him one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. Despite his age, his physicality and ability to cut off the ring remain elite.

Dmitry Bivol

• Age: 34 years
• Nationality: Russian (born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan)
• Residence: Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Amateur record: 268-15, highlighted by success in international tournaments and disciplined textbook approach.
• Professional record: 24-1 (11 KOs), characterized by technical precision and mastery of defense.
• Style: Bivol is a master of distance and timing, using his striking and footwork to dictate the pace of his fights.

Corrections for the second leg

What Beterbiev must do:

1. Keep up the relentless pressure: Beterbiev needs to repeat the strategy that worked in the first fight by cutting the ring and forcing Bivol into exchanges where his power can make the difference.
2. Body Focus: In the first fight, body shots played a key role in slowing Buffalo down. Doubling down on this strategy could pay dividends in the return game.
3. Beware of counters: Bivola’s sharp counters caused problems in the early rounds. Improved head movement and tighter defense will be key.

What Bivol must do:

1. Increase output: Buffalo needs to throw more combinations and take risks to score points, especially in the later rounds, where he faded in the first fight.
2. Control the distance: Using lateral movement and consistent striking, Bivol must keep the fight at his desired range in order to neutralize Beterbiev’s power.
3. Aim for the head and movement: Taking advantage of Beterbiev’s slower foot speed with precise combinations and spinning away from danger could turn the fight in Bivol’s favor.

Prediction: Who wins?

This fight stays about 50-50 like boxing. Is a trilogy looming on the horizon? Both have the tools to win, but the winner will be the one who learned the most from their first encounter and can make adjustments flawlessly. Beterbee’s raw power and ability to pressure could overwhelm Buffalo again if the latter fails to increase his output. Conversely, if Bivol can keep his composure and increase his offensive output, his technical brilliance may be enough to overcome the older champion.

Prediction: Dmitry Bivol by split decision. While Betterby’s power remains a constant threat, Bivolo’s youth, superior stamina and refined game plan will likely tip the scales in his favor. Expect a grueling, closely contested battle where the margin for error is slim. For both men, the stakes have never been higher. And, if you think I’m confident in this prediction, you’d have to be crazy.