Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol Betting Tips: The Last Crescendo
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol rematch for the undisputed light heavyweight crown on a fantastic night of boxing from Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) was awarded a majority decision victory at the Kingdom Arena in October and Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) is now handed a second chance to try to crack the unbeaten Russian-born boxer.
Tip 1 – Artur Beterbiev to win @ 4/5
It would be hard to suggest there was a huge gap between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol when the pair clashed for the first time in Saudi Arabia in October but it was pretty clear that Beterbiev was the busier and more aggressive performer.
Perhaps Bivol was more measured and selective in his approach but he was outworked and outpunched by the Canadian resident and the victory maintained Beterbiev’s unbeaten record.
The 40-year-old has to be entering the twilight of his career, but there hasn’t been any great slowing or deterioration from Beterbiev and the undisputed light-heavyweight king looked as good as ever when beating Bivol the first time.
There doesn’t seem to be any reason to think the 40-year-old won’t repeat his performance from four months ago and that could well be enough to see off the challenge of Bivol for a second time.
The challenger is likely to have to make alterations to turn things in his favour, but the 34-year-old has never been a high-tempo pressure fighter and a lack of punch output was his undoing last time out.
Bivol may look to let his hands go more frequently and attempt to fight more on the front foot, but that would leave the 34-year-old open to Beterbiev’s crushing power. Bivol’s best effort wasn’t good enough to down Beterbiev in October and he is now being asked to change his approach to reverse the form.
That doesn’t appear a recipe for success and, at 4/5, Beterbiev looks a cracking bet to score a repeat success over his light-heavyweight rival.
Tip 2 – Artur Beterbiev to win by stoppage @ 16/5
If Bivol decides to fight the same selective back-foot bout he attempted in defeat against Beterbiev in the first contest between the pair, a similar result can be expected.
That could leave the 34-year-old forced to go on the attack and take the fight to the champion, but as a result of fighting in a more aggressive manner, Bivol will be leaving himself open to the biggest hitter in the light heavyweight division.
It seemed pretty clear that the Tokmak man was well aware of Beterbiev’s power when the pair clashed at the Kingdom Arena in October, and while Bivol won’t ignore the threat the 40-year-old’s heavy-hitting will pose on Saturday night, he has to make changes to close the gap on the undisputed champion.
Beterbiev has seen 20 of his 21 professional victories come by stoppage and the 40-year-old may have more avenues to hurt and stop Bivol this time around.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation