They proved in their original bout that they are two modern day, pound-for-pound greats and on Saturday night Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol should again display why the world was so desperate to see this rematch and so quickly.
The duo headline the extraordinary Riyadh Season Last Crescendo card as both look to secure their legacy.
Beterbiev comes into the contest as the undisputed world light heavyweight champion after his majority decision victoy over his great rival Bivol in October. However, as always in close fights, many disagreed with the judges's scoring, believing Bivol had taken the bout.
To signal how close it was, one judge even scored the contest a draw.
So, how will this rematch go, could we even see a rare draw, and what will the result mean for both's future?
Ahead of this huge fight, the DAZN News boxing experts have been providing their fight predictions and opinions on these key questions.
Beterbiev vs Bivol prediction: Who wins?
Chris Walker - senior boxing reporter
If this fight was three months down the line, then I would be backing Artur Beterbiev to make it 2-0 without any hesitation.
Four months on from their first meeting, the champion is facing a quick turnaround on his aching body and that could slow him down in the fight’s second half, the place where he took over last time.
You may see Beterbiev start quicker this time around to combat that, but I just see Dmitry Bivol nicking enough rounds to set up a trilogy fight later this year.
Mark Lelinwalla - boxing analyst
Bivol by split decision
When Beterbiev decided to walk Bivol down, he was able to win enough rounds to earn the majority decision.
In this rematch, I'm looking for Bivol to use his footwork, maintain distance with his jab and piece together enough combinations to sway at least two of the three judges.
His movement in the ring will be key to becoming the new undisputed light heavyweight world champion.
Derek Bilton - boxing feature writer
It’s virtually impossible to call this with any degree of certainty and your view depends on whether you like the exceptional timing of Bivol or the relentless aggression of Beterbiev.
My hunch is Bivol fought the perfect fight last time while Beterbiev can be better with a build up that has not been hampered by knee issues.
Beterbiev on points in another high-level thriller.
Matt Astbury - boxing reporter
I have watched the first fight twice now, and I am edging towards revenge for Dmitry Bivol on Saturday night.
Bivol did not do much wrong in the first fight, he was landing the cleaner punches, avoiding the majority of what Beterbiev threw at him, and he needs to do the same here.
The only area which he could exploit more is utilising his smooth ring movement more to frustrate Beterbiev, whose footwork is a slightly more one dimensional.
| The Last Crescendo fight card | Live on DAZN PPV |
|---|---|
| Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol | Undisputed light heavyweight title fight |
| Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker | IBF heavyweight title |
| Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley | WBC lightweight title |
| Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz | WBC middleweight title |
| Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov | WBC interim super welterweight title |
| Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabaye | WBC interim heavyweight title |
| Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith | WBO light heavyweight interim title |
How likely are we to see a draw?
Chris Walker
Draws in boxing are very rare and one only has to take a look at expert predictions to see even those with the knowledge never pluck for one.
Too many things can happen in a round and with boxing being subjective, having three pairs of eyes at ringside will often bring up a variety of views.
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 may be one or two rounds away from a draw, but it’s highly likely we get another definitive winner.
Mark Lelinwalla
I think we will have more decisive scoring in this rematch. However, you never know how judges will score a fight.
Beterbiev being his bullish self and plowing forward with power should be emphatic in this sequel — as should Bivol's boxing brilliance.
Derek Bilton
Regardless of what Eddie Hearn said in the aftermath, the first fight was a contest of two halves. Bivol was really sharp early on and Beterbiev came on strong in the last third.
The bookies have the draw at 16/1 and that is a live runner given how well matched these two are.
Matt Astbury
It is very tough to call whether the rematch could end in a draw. I personally don’t see it.
After the first encounter was too close to call, both Beterbiev and Bivol will go out looking to eliminate any doubt which could prompt more mistakes as they look to be more adventurous inside the ring in the hopes of catching the attention of the ringside judges.
Where would a second defeat leave Bivol?
Chris Walker
A second career loss for Bivol won’t be the end of the world, but it will be the closure of his rivalry with Beterbiev.
It’s unlikely that Beterbiev will be able to hold onto all his world titles in the immediate aftermath and a shot later this year against Callum Smith, Joshua Buatsi or David Benavidez could be possible.
There’s also the potential to revisit his feud with Canelo Alvarez, who he defeated in 2022.
Mark Lelinwalla
A second defeat could still leave Bivol with options. One would be to make a Canelo Alvarez rematch happen. The other would be to fight David Benavidez at 175 pounds.
The two have sparred and an actual fight between them would be star-studded.
A third option, perhaps, would be for Bivol to move up to cruiserweight. Gilberto Ramirez is the unified WBA/WBO world champion there and Bivol holds a victory over him.
Derek Bilton
It would hurt his ego and mean he would definitely lose the chance to be recognised as the best light-heavy of his generation.
However, he would hardly be out in the cold as there would be options to do it again with Canelo Alvarez or take on the brilliant David Benavidez.
Bivol is a genius in the ring so let’s hope there are more big nights for him regardless of the result on February 22.
Matt Astbury
There are three options for Bivol if he loses. The first, a trilogy with Beterbiev if once again, it is a razor close decision or a draw.
The second, another fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, after the Mexican has frequently expressed an interest in the rematch.
The third, maybe a possible move to cruiserweight and attempt to be come a two-weight world champion.
Watch Beterbiev vs Bivoland and full Last Crescendo card live on DAZN PPV
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