Boxing fans have waited years for this clash of titans in the light heavyweight division. The duo clashed last year, where Beterbiev got his hand raised. However, not everyone was satisfied with this result. And now, the time has come for the rematch. February 22 will showcase these two light heavyweight giants cross paths again.

Both Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol have carved their paths to greatness in different ways, yet remained on a collision course. Beterbiev, the Russian-Canadian wrecking ball, has left a trail of knocked-out opponents in his wake, while Bivol, the technically brilliant boxer from Kyrgyzstan, has masterfully outclassed his challengers. The contrast in their styles makes this matchup particularly intriguing – think of it as the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object.

The journey to this fight has been anything but smooth, with both men taking different routes to the top. Beterbiev has been the boogeyman of the division, carrying that devastating 95.24 % knockout rate that makes other fighters think twice about signing the contract. Bivol, on the other hand, rose to global stardom after his masterclass against Canelo Alvarez, proving that technical brilliance can overcome raw power.

Artur Beterbiev Record

When we talk about Artur Beterbiev’s record, we’re looking at something special – 21 fights, 21 wins, 20 knockouts. He’s like the Ivan Drago of real life, except with a more reliable chin and better cardio. His most impressive wins came against Marcus Browne, Joe Smith Jr., Anthony Yarde, and recently, Dmitry Bivol.

These wins showed he can handle both skilled boxers and tough brawlers. The scary part is that he seems to be getting better with age. His calm demeanor is a defining line between him and his opponents as he lets his hands do the talking in the ring.

Dmitry Bivol Record

Dmitry Bivol’s path to greatness showcases a different kind of dominance. With a record of 23-1 (12 KOs), he has proven that you don’t need to knock everyone out to be feared. His win over Canelo Alvarez showed his elite level, but fans must not forget his dismantling of Gilberto Ramirez and Craig Richards.

Dmitry Bivol’s style is like a chess master who can also throw hands. He outthinks his opponents before outfighting them, is quick on his feet and has the ability to throw hands while moving backwards. His ability to maintain distance and control pace might just be the kryptonite to Beterbiev’s power-punching style!

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Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 1

The historic showdown between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev on October 12, 2024, in Riyadh turned out to be one of boxing’s most controversial battles of the year. The fight started with Bivol showcasing his technical brilliance, using his jab masterfully to keep the hard-hitting Beterbiev at bay. His precise footwork and timing in the early rounds painted a picture of what made him so successful against Canelo Alvarez.

Beterbiev, true to his reputation as boxing’s only active champion with a 100% knockout rate, kept pressing forward despite eating clean shots. The early rounds clearly belonged to Bivol, who seemed to have found the perfect strategy to neutralize Beterbiev’s power. The middle rounds saw a shift in momentum when Artur Beterbiev started landing some heavy body shots, particularly in round 5, forcing Bivol to adjust his gameplan.

The later rounds turned into a war of attrition, with Beterbiev’s pressure starting to tell on Dmitry Bivol. Round 11 was particularly dramatic, with Artur Beterbiev unleashing combinations that had Bivol on the defensive. However, Bivol’s superior boxing skills allowed him to land clean counters even while backing up. The final round saw both men emptying their tanks, though fatigue was evident in Bivol’s movement.

When the final bell rang, most ringside observers had Bivol winning a close but clear decision. However, the judges saw it differently, awarding Artur Beterbiev a controversial victory. The decision sparked immediate debate in the boxing world, with many prominent figures like Eddie Hearn and Andre Ward voicing their disagreement.

One judge’s 116-112 scorecard for Beterbiev particularly raised eyebrows, given how competitive and close the fight was. The controversial ending has already led to calls for a rematch, with both camps expressing interest in settling the score once and for all. Even Turki Alalshikh disagreed with the judges’ decision and immediately put a rematch in place.

The Last Crescendo: February 22 Showdown

Saudi Arabia is about to host what might be the biggest boxing card in recent memory. The Last Crescendo, set for February 22, isn’t just bringing us the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol – it’s packed with enough star power to light up the Riyadh skyline. The first bout between these light heavyweight titans left fans and experts divided, with Beterbiev taking a controversial decision that had even event organizer Turki Alalshikh calling for an immediate rematch. Talk about not letting the dust settle!

But there is so much more to this card than just the main event. Daniel Dubois, fresh off his shocking knockout of Anthony Joshua, defends his IBF heavyweight crown against the always-dangerous Joseph Parker. The slick Shakur Stevenson returns from hand surgery to face young gun Floyd Schofield, while Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Israil Madrimov are set to throw down in what could be a show-stealer. The card even features the giant-killing Zhilei Zhang taking on Agit Kabayel for the WBC interim heavyweight title.

Saudi Arabia has really gone all-in with this one, outdoing even their previous star-studded events. And here is a fun fact: if all these fights go ahead as planned, this single night will feature more combined undefeated records than any card in boxing history!

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