Bivol Claims He Wasn’t 100% For First Beterbiev Fight, Needs 150% For Rematch

Dmitry Bivol is coming with excuses now, saying he wasn’t “100%” for his first fight against unified three-belt light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev last October. Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) says he now must be “150%” for the rematch against undisputed champ Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) on February 22nd in Riyadh. The rematch will be shown live on DAZN PPV, along with a stellar undercard.

Beterbiev was less than 100%, too, coming into the fight after recent knee surgery to repair a ruptured meniscus. One could see in the early rounds that he was tentative and not attacking all out. In Saturday’s rematch, Beterbiev should be a much different fighter. If Bivol is serious about being 150% better, we could have more of an action-packed fight than their previous one.

No More Excuses

It’s important for the former WBA 175-lb champion Bivol that he fights with more fire this time because he looked like he was unwilling to stay in the pocket. His style was playing tag and then fleeing. It’s a style that Shakur Stevenson uses in his fights, and he’s not well-liked by many fans in the U.S., who prefer action over watching 12 rounds of fencing.

When the judges score rounds, they note who is pushing the fight, landing the harder shots, showing they want it more. That was Beterbiev last time. Bivol will need to be less defensive this time if he wants to win another decision. He obviously lacks the power to knock out Beterbiev, so winning a decision is his only hope.

Ade Oladipo: “It seems like the rematch was done in a week,” said Ade to DAZN Boxing to Dmitry Bivol about his second fight with Artur Beterbiev.

Dmitry Bivol: “On the next day.

Ade: “And you wanted it? You didn’t say, ‘Let’s go somewhere else first? You said, ‘Let’s go straight to it.’”

Bivol: “I don’t want to waste my energy doing something else. While it’s [Beterbiev fight] is hot, I think it’s more interesting.”

Ade: “I have no idea how the second fight [Beterbiev] is going to play out, but if you say that wasn’t you’re 100%, I don’t know what a 100% Bivol is going to be.”

Bivol: “Of course, it wasn’t. I have to be closer to my 100%. I have to be 150%.”

Ade: “It’s like Superman.”

Bivol: “Not Superman, just human.”

👀 @bivol_d says he ‘wasn’t at 100%’ for his first fight against @ABeterbiev #BeterbievBivol2 | #RiyadhSeason | Feb 22, live on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/HSXR8b5vRs

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 17, 2025