Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2: The tactics and styles of each fighter and their keys to victory

Their last fight was a thriller.

Now, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol run it back Saturday night. Beterbiev’s undisputed light heavyweight world championship will be on the line at Riyadh Season’s The Last Crescendo at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live on DAZN pay-per-view, which can be purchased here.

Will Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs), winner of the first fight via majority decision, make it 2-0 over Bivol? Or will Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) avenge the loss and find a way to hand Beterbiev his first pro defeat?

With the boxing world highly anticipating this rematch, DAZN News analyzes the keys to victory for both fighters.

•   Read next |  How to watch Beterbiev vs Bivol & Parker vs Bakole on DAZN for £19.99 / $25.99

Artur Beterbiev’s keys to victory

Be mindful of his guard

Upon watching their October fight back, Beterbiev told DAZN “my left hand is a little bit lower,” critiquing his guard. That error allowed Bivol to poke away and constantly split Beterbiev’s guard — or lack thereof — with a prodding jab.

Simply being mindful of that guard and making sure it is tighter and more disciplined could account for less jabs to sneak through and subsequently a lower amount of times that Beterbiev must reset his offense.

Fight forward, close the distance early

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Once Beterbiev fought on the front foot, he changed the complexion of the fight and eventually managed to eke out a majority decision over Bivol.

If Beterbiev makes it a conscious decision to walk through the sting of Bivol’s jab to pressure and unleash his power punching, it could go long ways toward the undisputed light heavyweight world champion softening his challenger up.

When Bivol is pumping the jab from a distance, he is in his comfort zone. It is up to Beterbiev to close the gap and make him uncomfortable early.

Go for the knockout

If Beterbiev could trap and force Bivol into the phone booth early, he must go for the knockout.

The longer this fight goes, the more Bivol could use his boxing IQ and make real-time adjustments that could give him the edge.

At 40, Beterbiev unloading his power upon seeing an opening is his best chance to produce the stoppage and leave Riyadh with his undisputed crown intact emphatically.

Dmitry Bivol’s keys to victory

Assert the jab

Bivol’s jab was a magnificent weapon in the original clash with Beterbiev.

Not only did it score him points steadily but Bivol was able to use that stick to constantly disrupt Beterbiev’s rhythm and force the champ to reset his offense.

Bivol must assert that jab early once again in the sequel as it is his best shot to bank rounds and begin to piece together more damage.

• Read next | Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Who has the edge going into the rematch?

Move, keep the distance

When Bivol’s jab is connecting, he would improve his chances to become the new undisputed light heavyweight world champion by moving and maintaining a healthy distance.

Bivol got into trouble in the original fight by letting Beterbiev walk him down and engaging him with fiery exchanges.

Beterbiev must be credited with imposing his will, however Bivol could negate some of these opportunities by taking a step back or moving laterally to force the champ to work.

Doing this at a distance by relying on his footwork, while firing away with the jab will allow Bivol to keep scoring points on the cards.

Piece together combinations

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Turning his jab into quick, slicing combinations empowers Bivol to fight his game in this rematch and possibly stay in front of Beterbiev on the scorecards.

Bivol was able to assert the jab early in October.

If he can accomplish this feat again during the rematch and piece together the combinations soon thereafter, he would improve his chances to hand Beterbiev his first loss immensely.

• Read next | I re-watched the first Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol fight and was shocked by a huge error I made on fight night

Watch Beterbiev vs Bivol live on DAZN PPV

Watch Beterbiev versus Bivol and the full Last Crescendo fight card, including Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole, 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

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