Coach Jose Benavidez Sr. picks Dmitry Bivol to defeat undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in their rematch in 31 days on February 22 in Riyadh.
Jose Sr. says he feels former WBA 175lb champion Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) won the first fight against Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) by “one point” last October 12. See how Bivol will do it again in the rematch next month.
Benavidez Sr. states that Bivol was “faster” and that his “movement” was key in his mind as to why he deserved the win over Beterbiev. He did not mention how timid and unprepared Bivol had been since the sixth round. He left that part out.
Buffalo showed no heart as he ran around the ring, running away from the wolf, Beterbiev, throughout the second half of the contest. Many fans seemed to decide who was going to win based on the first six rounds, then mentally went to sleep in the second half as Beterbiev took the fight.
Confirmation bias in boxing
It's called confirmation biasand it happens when people form their opinions early, quickly judging events, such as the Bivol-Beterbiev 1 fight. People who thought Bivol won collectively made up their minds after six rounds, and then in the second half looked for evidence to support their ingrained beliefs. They shut down Beterbiev's dominance as he controlled the fight with his constant pressure.
“I think it will be another close fight. We saw that both of them did the best they could. Both styles match each other and I believe that in the first fight Bivol won. For this fight, Bivol can win again,” said Jose Benavidez Sr Sean Zittel on his thoughts on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch coming up on February 22nd.
“He's a little faster, he has more movement,” Jose Sr. told Bivol. “Beterbiev hits hard and is probably waiting for that big shot. Buffalo, hopefully, won't stand in front of him and take a big hit. So I think it will be the same fight.
“Buffalo, I think he won one point. It was a very close fight. In my opinion, it could have been a draw, but they gave it to Beterbiev. I'm not a judge, but I feel he (Bivol) did enough to win that fight,” Benavidez Sr. said.
Benavidez's share
If Bivol wins the rematch with Beterbiev, it goes to Jose Benavidez Sr. because his son, 'Mexican Monster' David Benavidez, matches up better with Bivol. They have sparred in the past, and Benavidez has reportedly overwhelmed him with his pressure and volume.
Benavidez wouldn't do so well against Beterbiev as he hits a lot harder with his short punches and is an excellent counter puncher. The volume that Benavidez depends on to win his fights will leave him open to being hammered and hurt by Arturo.
Moreover, Beterbiev goes to the body well and took advantage of Benavidez's major weakness in that area. Benavidez doesn't handle body shots well, and Beterbiev would often target that area, hitting him between his flurries to score a knockout.
If Beterbiev wins against Bivolo on February 22nd, Benavidez will have to seriously consider whether he wants to take this fight or move up to cruiserweight to go after Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez.
Of course, that is if 'Mexican Monster' Benavidez wins his fight against WBA 'regular' light heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1st. There is an excellent chance that Morrell will win that fight with his superior strength, technical skills and youth.
Morrell would face the winner of the Beterbiev vs. Bivolo 2 rematch, leaving Benavidez to decide whether to move up to cruiserweight or be one of the many contenders at 175.
RETURN IS AROUND THE CORNER 🌟#BetterbievBivol2 | FEBRUARY 22 | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/BowSlWt3JA
— The best ranking of boxing (@trboxing) January 22, 2025
