by Gary Cromie: Under the shimmering desert skies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bival are set to clash once more on February 22, 2025. The rematch, set to headline Turki Al-Sheikh's blockbuster card in Riyadh, carries all the gravitas of unfinished business.

In a city where ancient traditions meet modern luxury, where one-humped camels and Ferraris share looks, the stage is set for a titanic battle of will and skill. Their first encounter in 2024 was a brutal chess match, with Beterbiev taking a razor-thin decision to retain his unified light heavyweight title and take Bivol's WBA belt, becoming the undisputed champion at 175 pounds. Now, with both men looking to cement their legacies, this rematch promises to be a spectacle of skill, power and tactical brilliance.

First fight: Ken Beterbiev won

In their initial clash, Beterbiev's relentless pressure and devastating power proved to be the deciding factor. The fight was a classic contrast of styles: Beterbiev, the heavy-handed Muller who is light on his feet, versus Bivol, the stick-and-move maestro with a beautiful rhythm. Bivel's jab and footwork allowed him to control much of the fight, but Beterbiev's ability to close the distance and land thudding shots, especially to the body, wore Bivel down as the rounds progressed.

Key moments of the first fight include:

• Mid-round exchange: Beterbiev's hooks and uppercuts in close quarters in the championship round began to wear down Bivol's power.
• Power Differential: While Bival landed clean punches, his shots lacked the stopping power to keep Beterbiev at bay.
• Pressure and Pacing: Beterbiev's relentless forward movement forced Bivel to fight on the back foot more than he was used to, limiting his offensive output.

In the end, the judges awarded Beterbiev a narrow decision, with many rounds being hotly contested. Fans in boxing chatrooms argued for days about who won the fight, but in the end, the uproar subsided. However, no recap of the fight would be complete without mentioning Eddie Hearn's epic meltdown. Never one to miss an opportunity to complain, Hearn branded the result a “robbery” to any idiot holding a microphone. His relentless tirade was as entertaining as it was irreverent, especially when juxtaposed with Beevel's quiet class. Bival, tight-lipped afterward, admits he needs to do more to win the fight. Meanwhile, a wacky subplot involving Beevel's wife, who openly criticized him on YouTube while openly rooting for Beterbiev, added an awkward sideshow to the proceedings. In the court of public opinion, both Eddie and Mrs. Bevel came second best, while Dimitri calmly absorbed the drama with his usual stoicism.

Background: Amateur to professional

Artur Beterbiev

• Age: 40 years old
• Nationality: Russian (born in Khasaviurt, Dagestan, Russia)
• Residence: Montreal, Canada
• Amateur record: 295-5, a decorated career that includes two world championship gold medals.
• Professional record: 21-0 (20 KOs), known for his impressive knockout power.
• Style: Beterbiev's mix of pressure and power make him one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. Despite his age, his physique and ability to cut the ring remains elite.

Dmitry Bivol

• Age: 34 years old
• Nationality: Russian (born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan)
• Residence: St. Petersburg, Russia
• Amateur record: 268-15, highlighted by success in international tournaments and a disciplined, textbook approach.
• Professional record: 24-1 (11 KOs), characterized by his technical precision and defensive prowess.
• Style: Bevel is a master of distance and timing, using his jab and footwork to dictate the pace of his fight.

Adjust for rematch

What Betterbiv needs to do:

1. Keep up the relentless pressure: Beterbiev needs to replicate the strategy that worked in the first fight by cutting off the ring and forcing Bivel into exchanges where his strength can make the difference.
2. Focus on the body: In the first fight, body shots played an important role in slowing Bivel down. Doubling down on this strategy can pay dividends in rematches.
3. Guard against counters: Bivol's sharp counters caused problems in the early rounds. Improved head movement and solid defense will be key.

What Bivol has to do:

1. Increase output: Bival needs to throw more combinations and take risks to score points, especially in the later rounds, where he faded in the first fight.
2. Control the Distance: Using lateral movement and a series of jabs, Bival must fight at his preferred range to neutralize Beterbiv's power.
3. Aim for Head and Movement: Exploiting Beterbiv's slow footwork with precise combinations and staying away from danger can tilt the fight in Bivol's favor.

Prediction: Who will win?

This fight stays close to a 50-50 proposition like boxing. Does a trilogy loom on the horizon? Both men have the tools to win, but the winner will be the one who learned the most from their first encounter and can execute the combination flawlessly. Beterbiev's raw power and ability to apply pressure could overwhelm Bivel again if the latter fails to increase his work rate. Conversely, if Bivol can maintain his composure and increase his offensive output, his technical brilliance could be enough to surpass the old champion.

Prediction: Dimitri Bivol via split decision. While Beterbiev's power remains a constant threat, Bivol's youth, superior strength, and refined game plan could tip the scales in his favor. Expect a tough, closely contested fight where the margin for error is razor-thin. For both men, the stakes have never been higher. And, if you think I am confident in this prediction, you must be out of your mind.