Beterbiev won by a slim majority decision, and the rematch was scheduled 133 days later. The second bout was just as good as the first. Both boxers knew what the other had to give after their 36-minute encounter in the first battle. Instead of staying on his toes and moving around the ring, Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) made the first change by standing flat-footed in front of Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs). Early success came from the small change in approach because Bivol was quick behind the jab and stopped Beterbiev from unleashing his big blows.

However, 40-year-old Beterbiev persisted in pushing forward, making Bivol fight at a furious pace. Bivol was successful in combining multiple punches that broke through Beterbiev’s defense. Bivol was more aggressive, but the challenger started to tire from Beterbiev’s body striking. In the fifth round, Beterbiev put his foot firmly on the throttle and hammered blows into Bivol’s head and torso, causing him to move about the ring with each blow.

In the seventh round, the 34-year-old Bivol would settle himself and use combinations to support the jab. Beterbiev was forced to refocus and reconsider going forward after taking a short-left hook in the eighth round. Bivol would exploit his fatigued opponent by using clean combo punches in the middle of the ring as his punch output decreased.

In the championship rounds, Bivol appeared more youthful, therefore Beterbiev needed to do something to change the outcome of the bout. Beterbiev’s advances were stopped by Bivol’s deft and accurate punches. Bivol was busier to end the show than he was in the first round, when he let go of the fight. Late in the 12th round, Beterbiev made a desperate attempt to open a gash over Bivol’s left eye and shocked him with a right hand. However, Bivol clinched and prevented additional damage, thwarting Beterbiev’s last attack.

Bivol’s activity won over the judges with scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114.

The WBO heavyweight interim championship was also won by Joseph Parker via second-round TKO over Martin Bakole. Additionally, Shakur Stevenson maintained his WBC lightweight title by TKOing Josh Padley in the ninth round.

Dmitry Bivol predicts victory for Beterbiev against Smith

Bivol will be taking on Lyndon Arthur this Saturday night on December 23rd, which is the final step before earning the undisputed championship against the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith on January 13th.

Two weeks to go!

To watch the biggest event in the world of boxing, subscribe to DAZN 👇https://t.co/yNzVPqPUhZ
Tickets: https://t.co/gg4krRE3cY#RiyadhSeason #DayOfReckoning pic.twitter.com/21J1TtiQqN

— Dmitry Bivol (@bivol_d) December 9, 2023

While Bivol expects to emerge victorious against Arthur, he is also rooting for Beterbiev against Smith, to the liking of many fans who are also forecasting the same, so the undisputed clash will be between the two Russians.

“I hope that I win this fight, and my name fight will be for the undisputed in my weight class [175], not at super middleweight because the subject with Canelo is closed. I have my own way,” Bivol Told Fight Hype.

“I give him more chance to win than Callum Smith,” the Russian answered when questioned regarding his prediction of Beterbiev vs. Smith. “I respect him [Beterbiev] as an athlete and boxer but nothing more. He’s my future opponent, and he’s in my division. He has something that I want. I have to have a good camp, and I can beat him.”

Bivol is not interested in the Canelo rematch anymore

Canelo vs. Bivol was one of the most anticipated fights of 2022, but left fans wanting more as the 175-pound clash ended in a rather one-sided unanimous decision win for Bivol, increasing the anticipation for a rematch even more.

However, although Bivol thumbed up going down to 168 for the rematch, there was little response from the undisputed super middleweight champ, and without any proper development towards making Bivol vs. Canelo 2, the Russian says he is no more focused on the rematch.

“I can make 168, but only for a belt and nothing else. Canelo has four belts, and this is why I wanted to fight him,” Bivol commented on the rematch. “Now, we have our way. Right now, I’m focused on Lyndon Arthur first and then on my goal of becoming light heavyweight division. This is more realistic than other fights.” [H/T Boxing News 24/7]

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I feel like I’m not dying when I do 175: Dmitry Bivol

The Russian is still looking to do important fights, and at 168 pounds, he would have better opportunities, which is why he would be willing to lose weight and be assured that he would have no problems.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Bivol commented that in his daily life, he walks around 190 pounds, so in a training camp, going down to 175 is not complicated given the limit of the light heavyweight division.

“I think it’s easier for me to move down to 168 than it is to move up [to cruiserweight] for me,” said Bivol.

Even After making weight at 175, Bivol claimed that he only rehydrates up by 10 pounds maximum for fights.

“In my fights, my weight is 185-pound maximum,” Bivol went on. “In normal life, my weight is around 190-pounds and to make 175, it’s easy. I’m just starting my training camp and my weight goes down.”

Thus, the Russian champion only has to lose 15 pounds to make weight for light heavyweight, but insists that he can make some more effort and lose another seven pounds to reach the super middleweight limit of 168, referring to how fighters at welterweight lose even more to make weight.

“I know a lot of fighters that are fighting at 147 and they’re losing more weight than me,” Bivol added. “I feel like I’m not dying when I do 175. I feel like I can cut more but I don’t want to do it. I remember doing this during my amateurs. I was thinking only about food and drink. I didn’t think about my fight.”

Since there was talk of the possibility of a rematch with Canelo Álvarez, Bivol insisted that he wanted it for the Mexican’s undisputed title at 168 pounds. And if the Canelo rematch is not done, there are potential options like David Benavidez, David Morrell, Caleb Plant or Jaime Munguía, and Bivol will be ready to go down to the division.

“Of course, if there’s a big reason to be at 168 and if there’s a belt there, I will push myself,” he concluded. “I will do 168, but for a good reason.” [H/T Ring News 24]

Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur may take place in the US for the Russian’s WBA title

Bivol has not fought for 10 months, since he defeated Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez on November 5th last year to defend his 175-pound title. Although there were many rumors for a rematch with Canelo Álvarez, it did not materialize and the Russian continued looking for rivals. Jaime Munguía was one of the potential names but no agreement was reached between them.

Nevertheless, the latest developments point towards “King Arthur” as the next possible opponent for Bivol, who is looking to make a voluntary title defense of his WBA gold.

“DMITRY BIVOL could be set for a voluntary defence of his WBA light-heavyweight title against Lyndon Arthur this winter,” Boxing News Online reported. “Talks have opened regarding a clash between the number one-ranked Bivol and Manchester’s Arthur.”

“Matchroom have made contact with Wasserman, who promote Arthur, about a potential clash. Should that fight go ahead, it would likely take place in America in December and would be broadcast live on DAZN,” the outlet added.

In November, Bivol would complete more than a year without fighting and would do so while waiting for a big fight, either at 175 pounds or even at 168. At 175 the expected duel is with Arthur Beterbiev, the unified WBC, WBO and IBF champion who will fight in January.

Bivol, however, has insisted that he would be willing to drop to 168 pounds, where there are Canelo, David Benavidez, Munguía and other options waiting for him. The important thing for Bivol, while the big fights arrive, is the possibility of returning to the ring and it could be this very winter.

Arthur, who has 23 professional wins with 16 by knockout and 1 loss, is fresh off a 10th round KO victory over Braian Nahuel Suarez on 1st September in Bolton, marking his second win of this year. Arthur’s only defeat was in December 2021 when he was knocked out in round four by Anthony Yarde.

Following the back-to-back wins over Canelo and Zurdo Ramírez last year, Bivol is yet to have his next fight confirmed. The undefeated WBA light heavyweight champion, who handed Canelo his second career defeat, was willing for a rematch at 168, but there was a rejection from the part of the Mexican.

Dmitry Bivol says he will move down to 168 if the offer is good

Now, as Jermell Charlo will be making an attempt at Canelo’s undisputed super middleweight belts, Bivol says he is once again ready to move down in weight class and fight Charlo, provided that he’s victorious against Canelo and becomes undisputed at 168.

“Yeah, if [Jermell] Charlo wins [against Canelo Alvarez], I would like to fight him,” Bivol told Fight Hub TV. “It’s not like, ‘Oh, I want to fight against someone at 168.’ No, I prefer to fight in my weight class [light heavyweight].”

Although Bivol says he will move down to 168 if the offer is good, the Russian insists that he would like to remain in the light heavyweight division.

“If someone wants and we have a good offer to move down for [super middleweight] belt, I will do it, but I prefer to fight in my weight class,” he added.

Speaking about how the Canelo vs. Charlo fight ensues, Bivol stated that he believes that Canelo will be going forward to attempt a stoppage, whereas Charlo is going to maintain distance.

“I see that he [Canelo] will move forward and try to finish him with one or two punches. Charlo will try to keep him on the distance and try to move,” opined Bivol. [H/T Boxing News 24]

Charlo wins against Canelo, I would like to fight: Dmitry Bivol

Bivol faced Canelo at light heavyweight on 7th May last year in Las Vegas with his WBA (Super) belt at stake. The Russian had dominated throughout the fight, winning via unanimous decision.

There had been quite some talks of a rematch, but Bivol vs. Canelo 2 ultimately didn’t happen, and the undisputed champ at 168 ended up defeating Gennadiy Golovkin and John Ryder up next.

Canelo is now expected to face WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, with the fight being speculated for a September 16th date, which will see Canelo defending his WBC, WBA (Super), WBO and IBF super middleweight belts against “Future of Boxing”.

While Bivol wanted a rematch at 168 to have a shot at Canelo’s four belts, he can get that opportunity once again if Charlo is successful in September, and that’s exactly what he plans to do next.

“I hope in September or October.  October. If September, I should have been given an offer a couple of weeks ago,” Bivol told Fight Hub TV regarding his next fight. “We didn’t talk about Buatsi, but he was my previous potential opponent. I’m ready for anyone in my weight class. I’ll try to be ready for the top ten fighters at light heavyweight.”

“I don’t know,” Bivol responded when asked where he would be fighting next. “I don’t have a preference. I like to fight everywhere. For belt, I’ll move down [to 168]. It doesn’t matter who has this belt. No, only for belt. If Charlo wins [against Canelo Alvarez], I would like to fight.

“It’s not like, ‘I want to fight against someone at 168.’ No. I prefer to fight in my weight class. If someone wants, and we have a good offer to move down for a belt, I will do it, but I prefer to fight in my weight class,” he added. [H/T Boxing News 24]

Sports and politics should not be mixed: Dmitry Bivol

When the war between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022, the WBC issued a directive that it would not allow any Russian or Belarusian fighter to fight for a WBC title while the war continued.

However, with Artur Beterbiev, already reigning as the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion, an exception was made. Mauricio Sulaimán argued at the time that although Artur is also Russian, he is allowed to fight for the WBC title because he has lived in Canada for 15 years, has a Canadian passport and residence, and a boxing license in Canada.

On the same notion, Sulaimán also indicated that Dmitry Bivol will not be allowed to unify against Canelo or against Beterbiev, while the WBC penalty is in force against Russian fighters.

Bivol addressed that argument, noting that he doesn’t spend that much time in Russia either, but also stressed that this should not be the essential argument.

“Of course, it’s not fair,” Bivol said in an interview with Seconds Out. “How can you call yourself a world champion if someone from a certain country cannot fight for the title, even though that someone may be better than you? It’s not fair. And that someone trains, spends time in the gym, and is not allowed to fight. He is just like you. The only problem with him is that he lives in another place, but he works just like you, he trains, he fights and his mentality is similar to yours, but why isn’t he allowed to fight? It’s not fair”.

“I could ask that they let me fight against Beterbiev because I haven’t spent a lot of time in Russia. To be honest, last year I was not in Russia for more than four months. I went all over the world. But I don’t want that to be my argument for asking for the fight. No, the reason is that sports and politics should not be mixed. Don’t mix it up.”

Bivol noted that he has never been interested in politics and has never been involved in politics.

“All my life, I have only watched sports news on TV” he went on, “I love watching sports. I am not involved in politics. I’m not interested in those topics. For example, I never got involved in the coronavirus issue when it happened. I did not give recommendations to anyone when the coronavirus was in the world, because I am not a doctor. And I’m not a politician to say anything about politics either. I’m an athlete”.

WBC won’t allow Dmitry Bivol to contest for Canelo Álvarez’s WBC belt at 168

Bivol, the WBA titlist at Light Heavyweight, assures that he is only interested in fighting Canelo at 168 pounds and not at 175, because he wants to challenge the Mexican for the four super middleweight world title belts, including the WBC gold.

However, the body maintains a sanction against Russian fighters due to the war that Russia is experiencing with Ukraine. And that way, no Russian fighter, including Bivol, is eligible to fight for a WBC title.

“No, not at this time”, Mauricio Sulaimán said in a recent interview about endorsing the Canelo vs. Bivol rematch at 168. “The definition that was made is clear. It is a constant and consistent position. Bivol has not approached the process that was left open for fighters who wanted to apply to have their specific case reviewed. Bivol has not, so at the moment, Bivol cannot participate in a WBC fight.”

Sulaiman emphasized the position that the WBC maintains in the face of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and that he had already reported when there were negotiations for a fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight title.

“Until there is no boxing in Ukraine, there will be no boxing that the WBC can recognize in Russia”, said Sulaimán reiterating what he had already said a few months ago.

However, the WBC’s ban on Bivol in a fight against Canelo would only apply if the fight takes place at 168 pounds with the Mexican’s super middleweight titles on the line. On the contrary, if the fight is agreed at 175, there would be no such impediment since only the WBA title held by Bivol would be at stake.

Sulaiman reacts to boxing fights in the underground metro in Ukraine

Earlier this week, news of an amateur boxing tournament that was organized in Ukraine in an underground metro station to protect itself from bombing, in the city of Kharkov, made headlines. Sulaiman expressed his satisfaction that the sport is returning to Ukraine after almost 15 months at war.

“The something dramatic, but that is the sport” Sulaimán stated. “The need to practice boxing, the need to be active, to bring out what one carries inside. God wants peace to come, it seems far away, but miracles happen.”

Last weekend, Canelo Álvarez returned to the ring to face John Ryder. Despite the fact that he took the victory, the undisputed 168-pound champion was not entirely satisfied because he could not knock out the Englishman.

On the parallel, the Mexican is already thinking about avenging his earlier setback to Dmitry Bivol and is very eager for the rematch. Despite the fact that Canelo lost to Bivol in May 2022, the Mexican is convinced that he can beat him and show that he is still the best pound for pound in the world, something that very few believe, since they consider that the redhead lives the last stage of his career.

In the meantime, Nacho Beristáin, through an interview conducted by the YouTube channel El Clinch, stated that he finds it very strange that Canelo is insisting on rematching Bivol, as he opines that his compatriot’s obsession is not normal.

Although he was reserved in expressing his feelings, Beristáin predicted that this fight could already be arranged, since he believes that one of the promoters has a lot of power in in the sport, something that at a certain point would benefit Canelo over Bivol.

Likewise, the member of the Hall of Fame commented that, despite the ‘weird’ movements that exist within boxing, he firmly believes that the sport will prevail thanks to boxers who face everyone and have true talent.

At 175 Canelo’s pushing things too hard: Errol Spence Jr

Canelo is fresh off of a unanimous decision win over John Ryder on Saturday, 6th May at the Estadio Akron in, Guadalajara. The win marked the Mexican’s second in a row since losing to WBA Light Heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol last year.

While there are talks about a rematch with Bivol, and Canelo himself wants to have a second encounter with the Russian, Spence feels that going back to 175 might not be a wise step for Canelo to take, and aside from Bivol, Spence added that Canelo should also stay away from Artur Beterbiev- the unified titleholder at 175.

“I think that he (Canelo) should stay away from Bivol, and stay away from Beterbiev as well,” said Spence during a recent interview with ES News. “Come back to 168 and do his thing there, but I think at 175 he’s pushing things too hard. Canelo throws a lot of power shots. And I don’t think his punching power affects 175-pound fighters the way it affects smaller weights.”

As for the future of Canelo, the unified welterweight champion thinks a fight with Benavidez would be interesting.

“(With David) Benavidez would be a good fight because they’re both going to be facing each other,” Spence went on. “Canelo is probably more elusive but that would be a good fight.”

Although Spence didn’t watch Canelo’s fight with Ryder, of the few scenes he has seen in the recap, he said he liked it and was impressed by Canelo.

“I liked it,” Spence said. “ Canelo looked good with what I have seen. I saw the recap, but I didn’t see the fight.”

Lastly, Spence also addressed the recent discussion about who is the face of boxing, Gervonta Davis or Canelo.

“There are many faces to boxing,” Spence concluded. “Any (star) fighter who has a fight coming up soon becomes the face. If Canelo fights, he’s the face. If Terence (Crawford) has a fight, he’s the house. When I fight, I am the face. Any star fighter who has a fight is the face.”