Beterbiev unified all four major belts (WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA) in their first encounter. The victory marked a significant milestone in the division, as Beterbiev became the first undisputed champion at light-heavyweight since Roy Jones Jr over two decades ago.
The upcoming rematch will see Bivol trying to bounce back from his first professional defeat. He'll aim to strip Beterbiev of the undisputed status he earned just a few months ago.
But there's already talk about what's next for the winner. The WBC has ordered Beterbiev to defend his title against David Benavidez, known as 'The Mexican Monster'. Benavidez currently holds the WBC interim 175lb title and boasts an impressive 30-0 record with 24 knockouts.
Benavidez moved up to light-heavyweight last year and quickly made his mark. He scored a unanimous decision victory over David Morrell, claiming the WBA Regular title at 175lbs. This win added to his credentials as a former two-time super-middleweight champion.
However, the situation gets more complex if Bivol wins the rematch. Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh has confirmed that a Bivol victory would trigger a trilogy fight against Beterbiev. This scenario would likely push back any potential clash with Benavidez.
The light-heavyweight division is heating up, with these top fighters jockeying for position. Fans will have to wait and see how the February 22 rematch unfolds before the next moves become clear.