Seeing two of the best fighters in the world challenge themselves against each other never lose its fascination.
This will be the case when Artur Beterbiev returns Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed World Weights Championship on Saturday, directly Sky arce office.
When they first met in October, both were rivals, both invincible and no man had ever come to lose.
Bivol had handed over to Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez a comprehensive loss, as well as overcoming a lithuania of other high -class opponents. An expert with extraordinary work on foot, precise time and precise tough fist, he was – and remains – the perfect noodles for Beterbiev.
Beterbiev had destroyed any professional opponent he would be afforded, but Bivol became the first man to get that distance when they boxing during the 12 extraordinary rounds last year.
But Bivol did not beat him. He lost a majority decision, which shared his opinion and let his team be enraged for the outcome.
“I still think he won. I felt for nine rounds he completely dominated the war,” Eddie Hearn, Bivol’s promoter told Heavenly.
“Then he lost 10, 11, 12, which was a problem. He says he was not 100 percent the last time I want to hear. And if he is (this time) I think it will be very hard night for Beterbiev.
“I felt he won the last time. He has to do a little more and he should get the crack with the judges.”
Beterbiev fights with excellent savagery. He closes his opponents, controls where he allows them to move and release large punches that land with oppressive power.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Matthew Macklin rejects claims that the decision of most Artur Beterbiev wins Dmitry Bivol last October was a ‘robbery’ and hopes we see a third war between the two.
Bivol cycled through his repertoire of skills in the first war, but in the closing stages, while the last rounds left, Beterbiev subject him a steady attack. Some observers thought he had not gained enough rounds in general – but there was no doubt how forcibly he ended.
This week in Riyadh Beterbiev has trained with incomparable intensity, until weighing for the competition. Even at the age of 40 he is in excellent physical condition with a degree of concentration that marks it as one of the greatest active fighters in the world today.
He has no doubt that he deserved the decision in the first war and is very ready to atone for the second time.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Dmitry Bivol says he has focused on the match and identifying areas for improvement to succeed against Artur Beterbiev.
“It was a good experience because I won,” I told Beterbiev Heavenly.
“I didn’t do bad,” he added, with a fundamental allusion to the threat. “I need to do more.
“I will tell you.”
Bivol himself took his first professional loss with good sake. But he is convinced that now he knows exactly what to do to defeat his scary rival.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Anthony Yarde disagreed with the 116th to 112 note in the first Beterbiev-Bivol war, but thought that Beterbiev deserved to win.
“I felt I did a good job (in the first war) but I wasn’t very happy,” Bivol said Heavenly. “Nothing surprised me, I was waiting for him (from him) and he showed what he wanted.
“I always try to think my opponent is the biggest opponent. He has a high speed, power, movement, everything, protection, beard – I try to think of him is something unrealistic. And when he is going to Ring against a man, a man, you are not surprised.
“I think you know more (now) but we’ll see.
“I must also be better than I was before.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Gary Logan examined how the judges scored Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol after their close first war.
‘Everything in the division in words’
Previously on the same Joshua Buatsi’s card of Britain and Callum Smith fight their excellent lightweight competition.
Vitor of their period will hold the WBO temporary belt and will be in the main position to challenge the winner of the other Beterbiev-Bivol.
Liverpool’s Smith previously shared the ring with both Beterbiev and Bivol. He lost a world title challenge to Beterbiev a year ago, and about 13 years ago boxed Bivol in an international amateur period.
“I knew he was a good fighter then, pretty similar to the way he fights now, quite fluent,” Smith recalled.
“He has achieved a lot and no doubt Beterbiev is the same.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
In the immediate consequences of the First War, Eddie Hearn was convinced that Dmitry Bivol should have won the decision against Artur Beterbiev,
Smith added: “Everyone continues to go on for Betherbiev’s age, he cannot go on forever. I think the last war was a fierce war for both and it will be interesting to see how much it was taken out of.
“I just think that while time has continued, you have to favor, I think, (this) bivol can be so little cooler. But again, I think it will be a narrow shaving again.
“The last time was a very good inhaled fight and I think we’ll see the same this time.”
Buatsi wants to continue his invincible run and has a sharp professional eye in Beterbiev-Bivol.
“I thought Bivol won the war. Everything else is just my opinion,” Buatsi said Heavenly. “On the letter Beterbiev made the decision.
“I had bivol just doing it,” he added. “It will be a good match.
“Everything everything in the split was under discussion that night. So credit for both of them. They gathered, they did it and they are doing it again.”
Artur Beterbiev V Dmitry Bivol Rematch is Live tonight at Sky Sports Box Office. Reserve now!
