A look back at the past: first fight
In their first meeting, Beterbiev, known for his relentless aggression and crushing punching power, entered the fight with an unblemished record of 20 wins, all by knockout. His opponent, Bivol, a master of technique and tactics who had previously defeated opponents such as Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez, confirmed his status as one of the best fighters in world boxing. At the beginning of the meeting Bivol used his quick movement and counterpunches, successfully neutralizing his opponent's attacks. However, in the following rounds Beterbiev's persistent pressure and power began to make themselves felt. The result - the judges' decision in favor of Beterbiev, which, nevertheless, caused heated debates among experts and spectators.
Predictions from the world of boxing
Before the expected rematch, experts, athletes and coaches shared their predictions and analysis of the upcoming fight.
Supporters of Beterbiev's victory:
- Seb Sternick (Planet Sport) believes that despite Bivol's popularity, Beterbiev's performance in the first fight deserves more respect. He predicts Beterbiev will win again, possibly by judges' decision.
- Hamzah Shiraz (WBC middleweight title challenger) succinctly stated that he expects "a repeat win, but this time a more convincing repeat" from Beterbiev.
- Sergey Derevyanchenko (middleweight challenger) believes that if the fight goes the way of the first confrontation, the judges may be inclined to give Beterbiev the edge, given the view that Bivol deserved to win.
Supporters of a Bivol win:
- Shakur Stevenson (multiple world champion) believes that the victory in the first fight belonged to Bivol, and if the latter maintains his concentration, he can repeat the success.
- Tony Bellew (former WBC light heavyweight champion) is determined that Bivol will avenge the loss.
- Shane McGuigan (trainer) points out Bivol's ability to make the necessary adjustments, especially given Beterbiev's age.
- Carl Frampton (former world champion in two weight categories), who initially supported Beterbiev, changed his opinion after reviewing the fight: he is confident that Bivol has learned lessons from the first confrontation and will be able to maintain a higher pace.
- George Groves (former WBA super middleweight champion) predicts a tough fight, which Bivol will win in the end.
- Johnny Nelson (former WBA light heavyweight champion) believes that due to Biterbiev's room for improvement and consistent style, Bivol will be able to score enough points to win.
- Teddy Atlas (boxing legend and commentator) believes that Bivol's mental toughness and confidence will be the deciding factor.
- Brent Brookhouse (CBS Sports) notes that even though the odds are stacked against him, Bivol has a better chance to make the necessary adjustments to his strategy, as many believe he deserved to win the first fight.
Key takeaways from the upcoming fight
Both sides have pronounced qualities that can dramatically affect the outcome of the meeting. Bivol's supporters emphasize his technique, skillful counterpunching and ability to adjust his game according to the mistakes of the first fight. Bivol has already stated the need to be "faster, stronger and smarter", which, together with his accuracy (he landed 33.6% of his shots against Beterbiev's 20.1% in the first fight), could play a decisive role.
On the other hand, Beterbiev's supporters are banking on his indomitable pressure, power and ability to wear down opponents. However, Beterbiev's age (40) remains a significant factor, raising questions about his ability to maintain intensity throughout the 12 rounds.
Bottom line
The rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol promises to be a true battle of the titans, where every second of the fight will be filled with tension and strategic struggle. Despite the divided predictions, one thing is clear: the meeting can determine the further development of the welterweight division. At the moment, the analysis of expert opinions points to a slight advantage for Bivol due to his technique, adaptability and high pace of fighting. Nevertheless, Beterbiev's power and aggressiveness remains a factor that cannot be underestimated.
The fight will be available to watch on DAZN PPV.