The Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol Rematch will occur a 12 months from now, in October 2025, in the course of the Riyadh Season. Promoter Bob Arum revealed that undisputed gentle heavyweight champion Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) and Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) can have interim fights earlier than assembly subsequent 12 months in October.
Bivol misplaced a 12-round majority determination to Beterbiev on October twelfth in Riyadh. Beterbiev wore Bivol down with stress within the second half and had him harm a number of occasions. The necessity for a rematch relies on Bivol successful many of the early rounds because of Beterbiev’s gradual begin.
In an interview with Dan Rafael, Prime Rank promoter Arum stated that Beterbiev and Bivol would struggle different opponents earlier than assembly on the opening of the following Riyadh Season.
Beterbiev May Face Eifert Subsequent
Followers don’t need that, however the Saudis are financing the Beterbiev vs. Bivol rematch, so the second struggle will happen then. Arum didn’t reveal who Beterbiev will struggle for his interim match, however his arms are tied.
The IBF ordered Beterbiev to defend towards Michael Eifert, which is necessary with their group subsequent, and he should do this if he desires to maintain that belt.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn promotes Bivol, and he’ll doubtless not wish to take any dangers with him shedding to somebody whereas ready for the profitable rematch with Beterbiev. Hearn might match Bivol towards one of many British contenders moderately than take a threat by placing him in with the winner of the January twenty fifth conflict between David Benavidez and David Morrell.
These guys have the facility and youth to place Bivol on the run as Beterbiev did, however they did it from the primary spherical. They wouldn’t wait till the seventh like Beterbiev did to place Bivol underneath hearth.
Bivol’s Potential Choices for Interim Combat
Hearn clearly is aware of it might be a foul thought to match Bivol towards Benavidez or Morrell. So, it’s doubtless that he’ll choose considered one of these fighters for his interim bout:
– Dan Azeez– Callum Smith– Anthony Yarde– Wily Hutchinson– Joshua Buatsi
Of all these names, Azeez or Callum would doubtless be the following opponent for Bivol. Buatsi is simply too harmful, and Hutchinson is simply too powerful for Hearn to make use of both of these guys.
I’d favor Buatsi over Bivol based mostly on how the 2 fighters seemed of their final contests. Hutchinson is hard sufficient to present Bivol large issues along with his youth, stress an unorthodox fashion. That’s a struggle Bivol might lose or look very dangerous in.
Stress = Kryptonite for Bivol
Bivol is an efficient fighter, however he can’t deal with stress and has little or no energy. Furthermore, Bivol doesn’t like getting hit to the physique, as seen within the later rounds towards Beterbiev and in his struggle final December towards Lyndon Arthur. When Arthur and Beterbiev hit Bivol to the breadbasket, he went into retreat mode for the rest of these two fights. The white flag of give up went up for Bivol when getting hit to the physique.
