Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2: B/R Staff Predictions

It's a clash of epic proportions Saturday as reigning undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev faces Dmitry Bivol in a highly anticipated rematch.

The two met in October with Beterbiev just getting the majority-decision victory.

Will the 40-year-old Beterbiev retain his crown? Or will Bivol get his revenge in Riyadh?

The B/R Combat Sports team gathered together to provide their predicitions for the main event.

Got your own takes about the big fight? Let us know in the comments section of the B/R app!

Beterbiev Wins Another Close, Tight Fight

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images

These fighters are so closely matched that you could ask me my prediction in an hour and there’s a good chance it would change. The first fight didn’t do anything to make it an easier call, and three months on there’s still a lot of people who think Bivol deserved to see his hand raised.

Those picking Bivol this time are likely to cite him ‘just needing to up the tempo’ in the final few rounds. Do you know how hard that is to do? He brought the fight to Beterbiev in the early stages and understandably ended up feeling the pace. He had to clam up to stop Artur’s short, sharp onslaught knocking him to the canvas. If Bivol continued with his original output, there’s a good chance he’d have been seriously hurt in the end.

I think that’s what swings it for me. Beterbiev just looked like he could lay down damage in a more consistent way. He essentially gave Bivol a head start and still had the experience and confidence to calculate his way back into the fight. He knows Bivol is desperate for revenge and is likely to come at him with even greater ferocity. That could see Bivol open up and become easier to hit.

It’s not a sexy pick, but I’m just about leaning toward Beterbiev. But then I think about all the great work Bivol did in the first clash and all the groundwork he laid to come out on top. What if he manages to stand on that foundation and rise to the challenge? One thing’s for sure: we’re lucky these two are going at it again, and it’s going to be a hell of a fight.

Prediction: Beterbiev by unanimous decision.

Nick Akerman

Beterbiev Wins With a KO This Time

For the second time in four months, Beterbiev and Bivol are facing off in a battle between two top-10, pound-for-pound fighters for the undisputed crown. This isn’t a fight for casual fans. The first clash had no knockdowns but delivered for boxing purists. Bivol’s footwork, speed, and IQ were on full display, but Beterbiev’s power, tenacity, and pressure proved too much as he edged out the win

Many, including Turki Alalshikh, thought Bivol should have won. I saw it 7-5 for Beterbiev, who dominated the championship rounds. Still, Bivol had plenty to be proud of since he became the first fighter to go the distance with Beterbiev.

I am a huge fan of both. They are professionals, let their fists do the talking, and are masters of their craft. It is the classic boxer versus brawler matchup. One key takeaway is that Bivol felt Beterbiev’s power and hesitated late. Now, both have something to prove. Bivol wants revenge, and Beterbiev wants to make a statement after failing to get the knockout.

Beterbiev rarely fights on such a quick turnaround, and at 40, that could be a problem. But I do not think he will let it be one. He knows the risks of another grueling 12-round war and will do everything possible to make sure this fight does not go the distance.

Prediction: Beterbiev by knockout in the championship rounds.

Douglas A. Brown

Bivol Gets His Revenge

Mark Robinson/Getty Images

Let’s take inventory of what we saw last October.

When it came to pure boxing skills, it wasn't a close fight.

Bivol was clearly superior.

He worked his jab, controlled distance with footwork, countered well and connected on more than a third of his total punches—and precisely 50 percent of his power shots.

Meanwhile, Beterbiev was busy and persistent. 

But not much else.

The mighty blows that provided the KO streak on which the fight (from his side) had been promoted never landed. Bivol stood for 12 rounds and was never in real danger of falling.

The only thing he didn't do, in fact, was get the decision.

That won't happen this time.

Now he's spent 36 minutes with Beterbiev and taken the best he had to offer, Bivol arrives with the same skills advantage alongside a huge spike in confidence.

He's still faster. He's still a better boxer. And now he's tasted his opponent's power, he'll add a smidge more aggression to make sure there's no doubt left come decision time.

Or, perhaps, to make sure it never gets that far in the first place. 

Prediction: Bivol by TKO, Round 11

Lyle Fitzsimmons