THIS weekend’s return bout for all the hardware at 175 pounds is splitting opinion across the world of boxing analysis and punditry, with many key factors being considered when deciding how the ‘Last Crescendo’ headliner will play out.
Johnny Nelson believes that the tempo of the highly anticipated rematch between light-heavyweight greats Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol could be a key difference-maker this Saturday in Riyadh.
Beterbiev, 21-0 (20 KOs), narrowly defeated his fellow Russian Bivol, 23-1 (12 KOs), by majority decision last time round and the rematch has captured the imagination of the boxing world, torn on how it will play out.
Undisputed king Beterbiev, now 40 years old, had stopped every opponent he’d faced before his first clash with Bivol, however still found a way to win over the 12 rounds despite not finding a finish inside the distance.
The first fight was boxing at the highest level, with all the accolades at 175lbs rightly on the line, and Bivol is hoping to return the favour to Beterbiev this weekend and hand him his first professional loss.
Speaking to Boxing News this week, former WBO cruiserweight world champion Nelson has stated how Bivol can inflict revenge on his Russian counterpart.
“I think the pace is going to be the key, the styles will be very much the same. Bivol was very humble in saying he learned a lot about himself and what he should’ve done. He gave maximum credit to Beterbiev, but he believed he had something more to give,” said Nelson
“Sometimes when you’re in a fight and you think you have nothing left to give, that’s when you kind of give up, but that was far from it. Bivol has come in more determined.”
“He needs to be consistent with his pace”, Nelson added. “Beterbiev stayed consistent with his pace and kept a certain tempo from round one all the way through to round 12. Whereas Bivol, his mistake was starting low, stepping up the pace and then dropping back down as he got tired towards the end.”
“Bivol admitted he had more to give and didn’t leave it all the ring which is why he’s frustrated with himself. I agreed with the result of the last fight no matter what, but this time I do believe that Bivol will get his revenge.”
