"Revenge in Riyadh" perfectly captures the essence of the thrilling rematch between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev that took place on February 22, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Bivol avenged his sole career loss and claimed the undisputed light heavyweight crown in a majority decision victory.
The highly anticipated rematch lived up to expectations, with both fighters showcasing exceptional skill and determination. Bivol's strategic adjustments proved crucial, as he stood flat-footed and used his jab effectively to prevent Beterbiev from unleashing his powerful shots. The fight was closely contested, with Bivol ultimately emerging victorious through the judges' decision.
Key highlights of the bout include:
Scorecards: Two judges scored the fight in Bivol's favor (116-112 and 115-113), while the third judge scored it a draw (114-114).
Statistical edge: Bivol out-landed Beterbiev 170 to 137 in total punches, a significant improvement from their first encounter.
Strategic adjustments: Bivol increased his aggression and combination punching in the middle rounds, demonstrating his elite status in the pound-for-pound rankings.
Championship status: With this victory, Bivol became the new undisputed light heavyweight champion, holding the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO, and Ring Magazine titles.
This rematch not only solidified Bivol's status as the top light heavyweight in the world but also set the stage for a potential trilogy bout between these two exceptional fighters.
Jeff and Kevin also dive into the exception undercard! Check this episode out and leave your comments for future episodes!
