

Dmitry Bivol spoke ahead of his rematch with Artur Beterbiev, the fighter said that he does not like the term former world champion and intends to regain the lost belts.
Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev met for the first time in October 2024. After a spectacular fight that lasted a full twelve rounds by majority decision of the judges, the Montreal-based Chechen won. Thus Beterbiev became the undisputed champion claiming all belts while Bivol lost his WBA and IBO world titles.
The top welterweight fists will face each other again on February 22 at The Last Crescendo gala in Riyadh. Dmitry Bivol is confident that if he fights at his highest level in the second bout he will get the coveted win over Artur Beterbiev.
– If I do everything to the best of my ability, I will definitely win.
Dmitry Bivol stressed that he is still disappointed with the judges’ scoring in the first bout. The Kyrgyzstan-born fighter admitted that he is training the hardest in his career and this time he does not intend to leave the judges with any illusions and chances to make a mistake.
– I don’t like the phrase former champion. I don’t like it, but I also can’t focus on it, I just have to look ahead. So I close that door and just look ahead. Of course, I still feel anger and disappointment, but this feeling, after all, will not develop me or teach me anything. I will use it in this positive sense, so I train even harder. I need to be much better than last time, so as to leave the judges in no doubt.