In a historic night in Riyadh, the boxing ring witnessed one of the fiercest clashes in lightweight history, as Russian Dmitry Bivol avenged his compatriot Artur Beterbiev in a rematch that brought them together just months after their first encounter. Thanks to a strategic and relentless performance, Bivol managed to snatch all four titles (IBF, IBO, WBC, WBO) from Beterbiev, becoming the new king of the lightweight division.
Round 1: A Cautious and Exploratory Start
As expected, the first round began cautiously from both boxers, each trying to gauge the speed and control the ring. Beterbiev, known for his aggressive style, started pressing Bivol, attempting to push him back. However, Bivol, with his quick footwork and solid defense, managed to avoid the powerful punches in the opening minutes.
AND NEW! 👑➡️ Dmitry Bivol gets his revenge and defeats Artur Beterbiev by decision.
والبطل الجديد! 👑➡️ ديمتري بيفول ينتقم ويُسقط أرتور بيتيربييف بقرار الحكام.
ET LE NOUVEAU ! 👑➡️ Dmitry Bivol prend sa revanche et fait tomber Artur Beterbiev par décision. pic.twitter.com/LYQ3pxwEqH
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) February 23, 2025
Question raised: Was Beterbiev relying too much on his physical strength from the start, or was Bivol able to neutralize his attacks intelligently?
Rounds 2 to 5: Beterbiev Imposes His Rhythm
In the following rounds, Beterbiev began to impose his rhythm on the fight. With powerful body shots, he managed to unsettle Bivol and force him to retreat.
Artur Beterbiev turns up the heat with insane pressure on Dmitry Bivol! 🔥😳 #BeterbievBivol2
أرتور بيتيربييف يُشعل الحلبة بضغط جنوني على ديمتري بيفول! 🔥😳
Artur Beterbiev met une pression folle sur Dmitry Bivol ! 🔥😳 #BeterbievBivol2 pic.twitter.com/HK3Wq42xSq
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) February 23, 2025
Beterbiev, known for finishing fights early, seemed to dominate the ring, especially in the fifth round where he increased his pressure on Bivol.
Analysis: Although Beterbiev was controlling the ring, Bivol was carefully selecting his punches, suggesting he was following a long-term strategy to wear down his opponent.
Rounds 6 to 9: Bivol Restores Balance
As the fight progressed, Bivol began to show signs of recovery. In the sixth round, he responded to Beterbiev with double punches and body shots.
Dmitry Bivol—what volume, what precision! 🤯 #BeterbievBivol2
ديمتري بيفول… هذا الحجم وهذه الدقة! 🤯
Dmitry Bivol, ce volume et cette précision ! 🤯 #BeterbievBivol2 pic.twitter.com/3m2ZAOe5n3
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) February 23, 2025
By the ninth round, Bivol had successfully landed clean combinations to the body, impressing the judges and scoring crucial points.
Question raised: Was Beterbiev starting to feel fatigued, or was Bivol simply smarter in his punch selection?
Rounds 10 to 12: A Thrilling Finish
In the tenth round, Bivol managed to land precise punches on Beterbiev, showcasing his tactical superiority. By the eleventh round, Bivol was directing powerful punches and impressive combinations, putting Beterbiev in a tough spot.
Dmitry Bivol, simply INCREDIBLE! 🤩 #BeterbievBivol2
ديمتري بيفول… إنه مذهل بالفعل! 🤩
Dmitry Bivol, c’est tout simplement INCROYABLE ! 🤩 #BeterbievBivol2 pic.twitter.com/4bypBqAzml
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) February 23, 2025
In the final round, Beterbiev attempted to end the fight with heavy blows, but Bivol avoided them and countered with smart strikes.
Analysis: At this stage, Bivol was clearly in control of the fight, reflecting his tactical superiority and endurance.
Final Decision: Bivol Wins by Majority Decision
After 12 intense rounds, the judges announced Bivol’s victory by majority decision (114-114, 116-112, 115-113). This win allowed Bivol to claim all of Beterbiev’s belts, making him the new lightweight champion.
AND NEW! 👑➡️ Dmitry Bivol gets his revenge and defeats Artur Beterbiev by decision.
والبطل الجديد! 👑➡️ ديمتري بيفول ينتقم ويُسقط أرتور بيتيربييف بقرار الحكام.
ET LE NOUVEAU ! 👑➡️ Dmitry Bivol prend sa revanche et fait tomber Artur Beterbiev par décision. pic.twitter.com/LYQ3pxwEqH
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) February 23, 2025
General Context: This victory reshapes the lightweight boxing world, proving that Bivol is not only a skilled boxer but also a clever strategist capable of adapting to his opponent’s style.
Open Questions for the Future
- Can Beterbiev Come Back Stronger in the Trilogy?
After his second loss to Bivol, the question remains: Can Beterbiev adjust his style to counter Bivol’s tactics next time? - Can Bivol Hold onto His Titles for Long?
With his victory and all four belts, Bivol becomes a target for many ambitious boxers. Can he maintain his position as the lightweight champion? - What’s the Future of Russian Boxing?
With Bivol and Beterbiev at the top of the world, will we see more internal Russian rivalries reshaping the boxing world?
Conclusion
The rematch between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev was more than just a fight; it was a lesson in tactics, endurance, and sports intelligence. Bivol proved he could adapt and outsmart a strong opponent like Beterbiev, cementing his place as one of the greatest boxers of his era. As Beterbiev begins to reevaluate his style, the future remains open for a third showdown that could determine the fate of these two giants in the boxing world.
