Bivol promises a more aggressive approach in the rematch with Beterbiev

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 KO) doesn’t say what he means by “more open”, but for his sake he needs to be more aggressive, stay in the pocket, hold 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 as his lack of engagement was absent in the previous meeting with Beterbiev.

The the body was ready, but the mind was weak. Buffalo has the power, speed, and skills to win, but he must overcome a mental block that has prevented him from trading. There’s a fear that held Bivol back last time against Beterbiev, preventing him from taking the risks he needed to win.

Buffalo’s new strategy

Bivol is working hard and training for the rematch, but needs more mental than physical adaptation. He must make sure that he fights more aggressively in the rematch with Beterbiev. Buffalo’s punch-and-run the style failed last time and probably won’t 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 broadcast live on DAZN PPV.

Buffalo must change something in the second leg 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 have a different approach to the rematch. They will probably press Bivol from the first round, and not wait until the sixth, like last time.

He made the mistake of allowing Bivol to defeat 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. From that moment on, he was constantly attacked. For the last seven rounds, Bivol moved, clinched and did nothing to win. Not that he was high. He felt the strength of Beterbiev and did not want to be knocked out.

Bivolo’s team and his promoter Eddie Hearn did not want to accept the loss. They complained and did not help. The buffalo failed, and the judges made it clear. Beterbiev attacked relentlessly, he looked like a shark chasing its prey, and Bivol did not want to be cut down. So, he was moving non-stop, and the referees noticed it and scored for Beterbiev.

The score was 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. I had it 117-111 for Beterbiev. Bivol seemed to win three rounds and was useless for the last nine rounds.

Learning from defeat

“It’s learned that it’s more comfortable to be in the ring with this guy. In the second fight, I think maybe it will be a more open fight. I can’t find excuses because I won’t prepare for the next fight,” said Dmitry Bivol for 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 Beterbiev 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 is possible to fight anyone in the division, but first I want a rematch,” Bivol said when asked if he would be interested in fighting David Benavidez.

Battle preparations ⚔️🔥#BetterbievBivol2 | February 22, live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/sH9C9r6eIL

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