Dmitry Bivol reveals his ‘guaranteed’ strategy to defeat Artur Beterbiev

Dmitry Bivol, the former WBA Light Heavyweight Champion, has made it clear that he is ready for revenge when he faces Artur Beterbiev again on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Dmitry Bivol’s Plan for Revenge Against Artur Beterbiev

 After a hard-fought battle on October 12, where Bivol suffered a majority decision loss after 12 rounds, the Russian boxer is determined to change his approach in the rematch. In the previous fight, Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) lost to Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) in a tightly contested match, with scores of 115-113, 116-112 in favor of Beterbiev, and one judge scoring it 114-113 for Bivol.

One of the key moments in the first fight was Bivol’s tendency to move excessively and focus on defensive tactics rather than aggressively attacking Beterbiev. This allowed Beterbiev to press the action and dictate the pace with his powerful pressure. Bivol seemed to be more focused on surviving the fight than on securing a decisive victory. The judges, however, were not convinced by his passive approach, and this ultimately cost him the win.

Bivol’s Plan to Be More Aggressive

Heading into the rematch, Bivol has vowed to make significant changes to his strategy. “Of course, I will change something. I will work harder. I will work more to become better,” Bivol said in an interview with Boxing News. “I just need to be better in every aspect. Move better, throw more punches, land harder shots, and everything needs to improve.”

Bivol recognizes that in order to defeat Beterbiev, he needs to adopt a more aggressive mindset. Simply running around the ring and trying to survive won’t be enough to win the judges over. He needs to show that he’s the one in control of the fight and dictate the pace. “I just need a strong, heavy punch,” Bivol explained when asked about Beterbiev’s power. “I don’t have it yet, but once I do, I will explain it.”

Bivol also emphasized the importance of making adjustments in his training. He knows that to overcome Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and power, he has to be more dynamic and assertive in the ring. The challenge lies in balancing aggression with defense without putting himself in a position to be caught by Beterbiev’s devastating shots.

The Difficult Road Ahead for Bivol

While Bivol has outlined his plan to be more aggressive, the reality is that changing his style at this stage in his career will not be easy. At 34 years old, Bivol is aware that he is no longer as young as he once was and that his fighting style is deeply ingrained. Bivol is known for his tactical, defensive approach, and altering that could leave him vulnerable to Beterbiev’s knockout power. It will be a delicate balancing act for Bivol to increase his offensive output without risking being overwhelmed by his opponent’s aggression.

“It’s not too difficult,” Bivol said about the mental satisfaction he would gain from avenging his loss. “I like it in life when you have this test, and you feel more alive.” However, the test in the ring will be the most challenging of his career.

If Bivol can make the necessary adjustments and become more aggressive without losing his defensive discipline, the rematch could be one of the most exciting and pivotal battles in the light heavyweight division. The stakes are high, and both fighters have much to prove.