Just four months on, two Russians look to settle the score again. That’s because the scorecards were the most talked about thing after their brilliant battle late last year.
Not even the sight of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov celebrating in the ring with Artur Beterbiev could overtake the discussion. Dmitry Bivol will now look to go to the next level by becoming the first man to beat Beterbiev after he became the first man to avoid being knocked out by the scary puncher..
His promoter Eddie Hearn came out fighting after the first fight claiming that the 115-113 and 116-112 cards in favour of Beterbiev were “disgusting”.
Yet when you go through the numbers of the bout and watch it again, there was little between them so neither man getting the nod was wrong.
That’s what made it a great fight. Some blood-thirsty fans were not happy as it was more of a technical showdown than a slugfest. It was two elite fighters boxing brilliantly for 36 minutes. Expect more of the same on Saturday night when they meet again.
There were few wasted shots, the referee was barely needed to break them up for 12 rounds. The one fine sign of a great fighter.
This may not be the last time they meet. Beterbiev is the undisputed champion after his October win but it is understood that if Bivol was to win the rematch, there would be an option for a trilogy next. At 40, Beterbiev, and 34, Bivol, neither man is getting any younger so that is one of the reasons the rematch was swiftly agreed.
While Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao were younger than Beterbiev when they had their super fight that some claimed was past their sell-by date, the Russians keep delivering their best.
That’s what was expected on Saturday evening as they top a card in Saudi with almost every fight headline worthy in the home country of the fighters involved. That means there’s a threat Bivol against Beterbiev could be overshadowed by a better fight.
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But don’t bet on that happening. Their first meeting was great, this will pick up from where it left off and leave fans thrilled again. If Bivol wins and we get a third fight then it would be guaranteed a spot on the best trilogies of all time. But Beterbiev will be keen to hold on to his crown of undisputed champion and it will take a mighty effort to rip the titles from him.
It could end up being one of boxing’s great rivalries. One with no trash talk but just pure sporting rivalry in the ring. It’s a proper fight.