This week, the boxing world will witness a rematch of monumental significance between Artur Beterbiev and Dimitry Bivol for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight championship. The event will culminate in intense rivalry on February 22, 2025, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Their first bout, a gripping 12-round majority decision, saw Dmitry Bivol lose to Artur Beterbiev and relinquish the WBA (Super) and IBO light-heavyweight titles. This rematch, aptly named ‘The Last Crescendo,’ marks the final and most crucial part of their rivalry, promising an epic showdown.
Artur Beterbiev is a renowned professional boxer with dual Russian and Canadian nationality, having been born on January 21, 1985, in Khasavyurt, Dagestan ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Since Roy Jones Jr., Beterbiev was the first boxer to become an undisputed light-heavyweight champion. In his amateur career, he secured victory at the 2006 European Amateur Boxing Championships, overcoming Kenneth Egan and Ismail Sillakh. He defeated Egor Mekhontsev but succumbed to two-time world champion Evgeny Makarenko that same year. In 2007, Beterbiev triumphed over Oleksandr Usyk in Kaliningrad and, later that year, defeated future unified light-heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev in the semi-finals. He then won against Evgeny Makarenko in the finals to earn a spot at the World Championships, where he faced the lesser-known Abbos Atoev in the finals and suffered an upset loss.
At the 2008 Olympics, Beterbiev won against Kennedy Katende 15-3 but controversially lost to local competitor Zhang Xiaoping in the round of 16, with Zhang eventually claiming the gold medal. During the 2009 World Championships, he defeated rising star Cuban Jose Larduet and Uzbekistan’s Elshod Rasulov to claim the light heavyweight title. In the 2011 World Championships, Beterbiev was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Oleksandr Usyk, the eventual winner, with a score of 13-17. He again met Usyk at the 2012 Olympics, where he narrowly defeated Michael Hunter but lost 13-17, competing in the heavyweight division. Over his amateur career, Beterbiev is estimated to have participated in more than 300 fights, winning approximately 295 and losing only five. His confirmed record shows at least 102 wins and fewer than 13 losses.
Artur Beterbiev began his professional career on July 8, 2013, winning his debut at the Bell Centre by technical knockout against Christian Cruz in the second round. After securing victories in his first five fights, he competed for the vacant NABA title on September 27, 2014, against former IBF lightweight champion Tavoris Cloud, winning by knockout in the second round and improving his record to 6-0. Beterbiev successfully defended his NABA light heavyweight title on December 19, 2014, and captured the vacant IBF North American and NABO light-heavyweight titles with a second-round technical knockout of Jeff Page Jr. On April 4, 2015, at Colisée Pepsi in Quebec City, he defended the IBF North American light-heavyweight title against Gabriel Campillo, winning by knockout in the fourth round.
On June 12, 2015, Beterbiev fought Alexander Johnson, retaining the NABA light-heavyweight title and claiming the vacant WBO international light-heavyweight title with a seventh-round technical knockout. He defended the NABA title twice, defeating Ezequiel Maderna and Isidro Ranoni Prieto. On November 11, 2017, he won the vacant IBF light-heavyweight title by knocking out Enrico Kolling in the twelfth round. Beterbiev successfully defended this title against Callum Johnson, Radivoje Kalajdzic, and Oleksandr Gvozdyk. As of October 12, 2024, he remained undefeated with 21 wins, including 20 knockouts and one decision. This upcoming rematch is critical for Beterbiev to maintain his unbeaten record, which is a testament to his skills and determination that promises an electrifying match.
Dmitry Bivol is a professional Russian boxer born on December 18, 1990, in Tokmok, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union. He started boxing at six in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan, where he stood out due to being larger and heavier than many peers. His self-assurance grew as he consistently defeated older rivals in amateur competitions. As an accomplished amateur, Bivol won two world championship titles as a junior and earned a bronze medal in the middleweight division at the 2008 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships. Competing in the light heavyweight division, he captured the Russian national amateur boxing championships in 2012 and 2014, finishing with an impressive amateur record of 268 wins and 15 losses. Bivol’s professional career began in November 2014, when he achieved knockouts in his first six bouts.
Early in his career, he sparred with prominent boxers such as Egor Mekhontsev, Jean Pascal, and Vyacheslav Shabranskyy. While he lives in St. Petersburg, his training occurs in Southern California. Furthermore, he scored two wins at the Luzhniki Palace of Sports in Moscow, triumphing over Konstantin Piternov and Joey Vegas. On August 27, 2015, Dmitry Bivol knocked out Felipe Romero in the eighth round, winning the vacant WBC–USNBC Silver light-heavyweight title. His next fight was on November 4, 2015, against Jackson Junior at TatNeft Arena in Kazan, Russia, where he won the vacant WBA Inter-Continental light-heavyweight title by technical knockout in the fourth round. On May 21, 2016, Bivol claimed the WBA interim light-heavyweight title with a unanimous victory over Felix Valera at Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow, Russia.
He retained that title twice with a technical knockout in the fourth round against Robert Berridge and Samuel Clarkson. He retained some of the titles in the further matches and won some. Till June 1, 2024, he was undefeated in his professional career and holds a record of 23-0. Unfortunately, his winning streak came to an end against Artur Berterbiev by a majority decision on October 12, 2024, at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he lost WBA (Super), and IBO light-heavyweight titles For WBC, IBF, WBO, and vacant The Ring light-heavyweight titles. This rematch will be an excellent opportunity for Dmitry Bivol to bounce back and win the Undisputed Light Heavyweight championship. In his professional career, he won 23 matches, with 12 from knockout, 11 by decision, and one lost by decision. For more sports updates, check out our website.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: Event Details
Main Event: Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol
Date: February 22, 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET | 7:00 a.m. PT | 8:30 p.m. IST
Venue: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Where to Watch Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol?
Fans worldwide can look forward to witnessing the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, two of boxing’s elite fighters. This thrilling event will be available for streaming on DAZN Pay-Per-View, allowing viewers to enjoy what promises to be a captivating showdown.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol Fight Card
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol (Undisputed light heavyweight title fight, for Beterbiev’s WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring belts)
Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker (For Dubois’ IBF heavyweight title)
Shakur Stevenson vs Flloyd Schofield (For Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title)
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz (For Adames’ WBC middleweight title)
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov (For Ortiz Jr’s WBC world interim super welterweight title)
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel (For the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title)
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith (For Buatsi’s WBO light heavyweight interim title)
Artur Beterbiev Stats and Bio
Nationality: Canadian, Russian
Age: 39
Height: 5′ 11″
Reach: 73″
Total fights: 21
Record: 21-0 (20 KOs)
Dmitry Bivol Stats and Bio
Nationality: Russian
Age: 34
Height: 6′ 0″
Reach: 72″
Total fights: 24
Record: 23-1 (12 KOs)
Prediction
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol
The rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol is highly awaited in the boxing community, with exciting fans and the promise of a thrilling fight. They first faced each other in October 2024, where Beterbiev won by majority decision, claiming the WBC, WBO, IBF, WBA, and IBO light heavyweight titles. However, this result left many fans and analysts believing that Bivol, who showed excellent defensive skills and counter-punches, deserved better. The upcoming rematch, “The Last Crescendo,” is a key moment in their rivalry, with both fighters eager to prove who is the best in the division. Artur Beterbiev is known for his strong punches and skill. He has made a name for himself as one of the toughest boxers in the light heavyweight class, earning a reputation for knocking out his opponents. His aggressive style pressures his rivals, making them vulnerable to his powerful punches. As the champion, Beterbiev aims to strengthen his legacy by defending his titles and demonstrating his dominance in the division.
On the other hand, Dmitry Bivol is recognized for his competent fighting skills and ability to control the ring. His excellent footwork and defense help him outmaneuver many opponents. Bivol stays calm under pressure and sticks to his game plan, making him a tough competitor for Beterbiev. In their first match, Bivol’s strategy kept him in the fight, and many think he was unlucky not to win. Ready to correct his earlier loss, Bivol has been training hard for this rematch, looking to counter Beterbiev’s attacks and take advantage of any mistakes he makes. The distinct approaches of Beterbiev and Bivol make this rematch a fascinating tactical contest. Beterbiev’s unwavering aggression and knockout capability will clash with Bivol’s defensive skills and technical prowess. The fight’s outcome may depend on Bivol’s skill in managing the distance and rhythm of the match while evading Beterbiev’s powerful strikes. If Bivol can successfully implement his strategy and keep Beterbiev at a distance, he has a strong chance of winning. On the other hand, Beterbiev’s persistent pressure and knack for exploiting opportunities could tip the scales in his favor. Considering their recent performances and previous encounters, Dmitry Bivol appears to hold the advantage for a decision victory in this match.
The Pick: Dmitry Bivol via Decision
