Dmitry Bivol Reflects on Facing Artur Beterbiev’s Power After Undisputed Title Fight
Dmitry Bivol has provided insights into the experience of facing Artur Beterbiev’s power following their undisputed title fight on Saturday. Bivol suffered a controversial loss to Beterbiev in Saudi Arabia, relinquishing the WBA light-heavyweight belt to the unified champion and enduring his first professional defeat. Despite the setback, Bivol etched his name in history as the first opponent of the undefeated “monster” to go the distance, as Beterbiev boasted a remarkable 20-0 record with 20 knockouts before the bout.
In a recent interview with Fight Hub TV, Bivol compared Beterbiev’s formidable power to that of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, whom he notably outpointed in 2022. Bivol highlighted the significance of controlling emotions when facing such opponents, emphasising the aura of intimidation surrounding Beterbiev. He expressed excitement rather than fear at the prospect of challenging the perceived “monster” in the ring, showcasing a resilient mindset in the face of adversity.
When recounting his initial encounter with Beterbiev’s signature punch, Bivol nonchalantly acknowledged its impact, focusing on the overall strength and intensity of Beterbiev’s combinations rather than singular punches. Drawing parallels with Canelo, Bivol noted the differences in their punching styles, with Beterbiev displaying a more compact and consistently forceful approach. Despite acknowledging the potency of both fighters, Bivol underscored Beterbiev’s innate strength and physicality as defining factors in their matchup.
The bout between Beterbiev, aged 39, and Bivol, aged 33, culminated in a majority decision favouring Beterbiev, with the judges’ scorecards reading 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112. The decision, particularly the 116-112 scorecard, elicited widespread criticism within the boxing community. While no immediate rematch clause was in place, speculations suggest a potential rematch between the two light-heavyweights in early 2025 to settle the score.
As the boxing world reflects on the intense showdown between Bivol and Beterbiev, fans await eagerly for a possible rematch that could further redefine the landscape of the light-heavyweight division.