Beterbiev vs Bivol Picks & Predictions
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol rematch for the undisputed light-heavyweight titles as the headline act of Saturday night’s Last Crescendo card.
The destructive duo battled in a closely-fought contest in October and the pair are set for another Saudi Arabia showdown.
Beterbiev is 4/5 to hold on to his unbeaten record and undisputed light-heavyweight, while Bivol is 11/10 to turn the tables and take the titles at the Kingdom Arena.
Bet 1: Artur Beterbiev to beat Dmitry Bivol @ 4/5
There is no doubt that the first bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol was a tense and fairly closely fought contest, but equally, it was clear that Beterbiev was the busier, more aggressive and progressive fighter and a repeat success for the 40-year-old looks on now.
It’s clear that the Canadian resident has more years in the ring behind him than in front, but there were no signs of slowing or regression from Beterbiev in October and that looks unlikely to change just four months later.
The Russian-born boxer can take confidence from knowing that he has the beating of Bivol and there is no need for the tough and aggressive veteran to change his front foot and pressure fighting style.
Bivol is the fighter who will have to make alterations on Saturday night and that could spell trouble for the Tokmak man.
Fighting on the back foot and looking to counter Beterbiev failed to yield success from Bivol in the first contest between the pair and the 34-year-old will know that he will need to increase his punch output and pressure to turn the tables in Saudi Arabia.
However, Bivol has never been a front foot fighter or a boxer to churn out combination after combination and it will be alien territory for the Tokmak man.
The Kyrgyzstan man will also be aware of the power, which has seen Beterbiev win 20 of his 21 professional fights by stoppage, and a more attacking and aggressive Bivol will be open to the heavy-hitting coming from his opponent.
It’s a tricky spot for Bivol and, at 4/5, Beterbiev looks like a bet to score a repeat Kingdom Arena success.
Bet 2 - Artur Beterbiev to win by stoppage @ 16/5
It was clear from Bivol’s approach in October’s contest that he was well aware of the power of Beterbiev.
The 40-year-old has stopped Anthony Yarde, Joe Smith Jr, Marcus Browne and Oleksandr Gvozdyk, to name just a few, in an unbeaten career which has seen Beterbiev win 20 of his 21 bouts by stoppage.
Obviously, Bivol is the only fighter who hasn’t been dismissed before the final bell, but he is likely to have to change his approach on Saturday night if he wants to win, and Beterbiev could be handed more opportunities to land his power punches.
Beterbiev’s pressure and come forward style is one thing which won’t be altered in Saudi Arabia and a small play on the Canadian resident to win by stoppage could yield dividends.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation