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Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2: Boxing's biggest names predict who wins huge rematch
A huge night of boxing this evening live on DAZN Pay-Per-View as Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo takes place, headlined by the hugely anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
The pair met last October in a clash that unified the light-heavyweight division's titles, with Beterbiev coming out on top of a close contest with a majority decision victory.
Now, the stage is set for the fighters to meet again, and once again, a victor is a tough one to call. So, DAZN News has wrapped up all the key Beterbiev vs Bivol predictions from the biggest names in boxing.
Amir Khan, Olympic gold medal boxer
“Both are my friends and I like Beterbiev as well. He’s a Muslim brother.
"But I like Bivol. I know Bivol more personally. He’s more of a personal friend.
"So if I was to pick someone, I’d rather go for my friend. Like nothing against Beterbiev."
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom promoter
"For me, in a close fight, the man to my left (Bivol) should be sitting here as the undisputed champion right now.
"When we got in that ring, I believe both teams knew there was only one winner in that fight. Now it's time to put it right on February 22."
Tony Bellew, DAZN pundit and former champion
“Once again it’s going to be a closely fought fight, but I just think Bivol can improve that little bit more.
“Beterbiev is a few months older and there’ll be more miles on the clock from their first fight.
"Beterbiev might think he can start quicker and see it out again, but it’ll be hard for him to fight at a fast pace so quick after their first fight.
“A part of Bivol will think he should've had his hand raised in their first fight and the improvements he needs to make are only small.
"It’ll likely be close again, but I just think Bivol will be the fresher man.”
Roy Jones Jr, American boxing star
"It's up to the fighters to show what they've taken away from the first fight.
"What’s going to be most important is what did one learn about the other?" Jones said. "Artur Beterbiev already seemed like he knew Dmitry Bivol, but Bivol didn’t bring anything to the table outside of the early rounds of the fight. He had a great plan but let Artur come back and dominate.
"You can’t do that. It’s about who has learned more from the fight. Artur Beterbiev knew what he had to do, and he didn’t go to knock Dmitry Bivol out but to outbox him down the stretch. Artur Beterbiev stuck to the game plan. That’s why I wasn’t mad [the judges] gave it to him but the 116-112 card is why they should have the rematch."
David Benavidez, WBA light-heavyweight champion
“I thought they both looked amazing [in the October fight], honestly.
"I think it was a great fight that goes down for ages. Bivol was landing the more technical and eye-catching shots but Beterbiev hurt Bivol and did more damage.
"If you don't hurt him or knock him down or drop him, I think the person who is landing most of the shots should win.
"If it's the same fight [in the rematch], I think Bivol should win, if they give it to him. If they rob it from him, then it's Beterbiev.”
Frank Warren, Queensbury promoter
“I am favouring Beterbiev.
“But if Eddie [Hearn’s fighter Bivol] wins, then brilliant. That’s great for him.
"They’ve all beaten Brits. This is something extra, extra special.
“I see great fighters. And I see a fight. I’m a neutral in this, so I’m going to enjoy every moment of this.
"I’m not biased. I just want to see the best man win.”
Teddy Atlas - American boxing coach
"As far as the winner... I think it does come down to Bivol possibly just being a little better.
"And I don't mean only better technically... I think it's more than that. I just think that it's internally, that Bivol is that kind of guy mentally, like Beterbiev. Proud, warrior. And I think that his pride, just like Beterbiev's, it will be in play.
"[Bivol] will just be a little bit more sure of himself in areas where going in [to the first fight], he didn't have all the answers.
"He thought he did maybe, but you never know if you have the answers until you take the test... and I think that he's got answers that he wasn't really sure he had the first time.
"I thought Bivol would win the first time. I do think he's going to win the second time."
Carl Froch, former super-middleweight champion
"It could go either way but I just think Beterbiev has just got that edge.
"That power and strong finish could be the way he gets the job done.
"But Bivol if he turns up fitter than the first time and a bit faster pace, he could nick this on points.
"But my money is on Beterbiev."
Shakur Stevenson, taking on Josh Padley on tonight's card
“Revenge. I think Bivol. I think all he had to do was just finish a little bit stronger.
"He did really good in the fight, but the last two to three rounds, he kind of let his foot off the gas. And I think he knows that."
Todd DuBoef, president of Top Rank
"He's (Beterbiev) never had a decision other than the last fight, I think he goes for it every time.
"I felt that his ring generalship and domination, putting the pressure and making the fight happen, was a resounding win for him. And I felt that you could see the body language of Bivol late in the fight as that pressure kept coming and coming.
"The question is, does Artur start that earlier? Can he start that in round one? I think it started maybe more in three or four, where he really started to come on. But start that in round one.
"I think if that fight went two more rounds, I don't think Bivol was getting out of the ring. Maybe he learned from that, and we'll see."
Watch the full Last Crescendo card live on DAZN PPV
Watch the full Last Crescendo fight card, including Beterbiev vs Bivol 2, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
The PPV is available to buy now at £19.99 in UK and $25.99 in US.
Buying the DAZN PPV offers a range of extra benefits. including alternative commentary options with Adam Smith or True Geordie or Showbizz the Adult ; local language commentary; entry to a prize draw for tickets to Chris Eubank Jr. vs Connor Benn* (for UK only); and a seven-day free trial of the full DAZN platform.
Watch the fight night anywhere with DAZN via smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and PC's / laptops.
For PPV costs in your country and to buy now, click here .
*UK only. Restrictions apply. See T&Cs on help.dazn.com. Full T&C's here
