Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2: Betting Odds and Predictions

The undisputed light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev, will defend his titles in a rematch against Dmitry Bivol. The bout is scheduled for February 22, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this article: predictions for the Beterbiev vs. Bivol fight, betting odds, appealing betting options, fighter stats, and chances for both contenders.

Beterbiev to win

17/20

Bivol to win

1/1

Of course, after such a competitive first bout, it was unrealistic to expect one-sided odds in favor of Artur. He remains the bookmakers' favorite but with only a minimal edge. Some betting companies have even posted identical odds for both fighters. A bet on Beterbiev’s victory can be placed at odds of 19/20

Beterbiev vs. Bivol betting odds

Dmitry is clearly yet to reach his peak and is fully capable of correcting past mistakes, which could allow him to edge ahead on points this time. The odds for Bivol's victory stand at 11/10

Additionally, you can bet on a draw in this second bout. The odds for a draw are 15/1 , but given that this is a rematch, the likelihood of such an outcome is extremely low.

Betting Options for the Bivol vs. Beterbiev Fight

After the first bout, analysts have even fewer reasons to doubt that this rematch will likely go the distance. Bivol endured heavy punches from his opponent without ever being knocked down. On the other hand, Artur once again proved that it’s highly unlikely anyone in the division can crack his jaw.

Will the fight go the distance?

Yes

11/20

No

27/20

To avoid the nerves of anticipating a knockout in the championship rounds before the final bell, there’s a convenient bet on total rounds, which is only slightly less favorable than wagering on a judges’ decision.

Over 10.5 rounds

Bonus £30

Bet

7/20

Individual bets on the method of victory once again show significant discrepancies. Hardly anyone believes in Bivol knocking out Beterbiev, no matter how highly he rates his own chances. Therefore, the bookmakers’ high odds for such an outcome are entirely understandable.

Bivol Odds to Win

Points

3/2

KO/TKO/DQF

10/1

At the same time, bets on Artur’s success raise many questions. Considering that he failed to seriously shake the clearly stationary Bivol in their first bout, what are his real chances of knocking out a more energized, mobile, and aggressive opponent in the rematch? Thus, a bet on a judges' decision once again seems highly relevant.

Beterbiev Odds to Win

Points

11/4

KO/TKO/DQF

21/10

The most likely winning stretch for Artur is once again predicted by bookmakers to be between the seventh and ninth rounds. In the first fight, Dmitry noticeably slowed down more than usual closer to the ninth round. Analysts are confident that during this period, Artur will have significantly better chances to achieve an early stoppage.

The early victory of Beterbiev in rounds 7-9

Bonus £30

Bet

13/2

Statistics and Physical Data

The fighters have almost identical body measurements, but due to differing styles and the wide stance, it seems that Bivol has a significant advantage in arm reach.

Artur Beterbiev

• Current world champion in light heavyweight by IBF, WBC, IBO, WBA, and WBO. Honored Master of Sports of Russia, World Champion, and ranked number four in The Ring's rankings.

• 21 fights, 21 wins, 0 losses.

Beterbiev odds to win

Bonus £40

Bet

17/20

On one hand, after the first fight, many critics quieted down regarding "Beterbiev's stamina over distance" and acknowledged that it was he who continued to press the attack repeatedly, even in the championship rounds. On the other hand, Beterbiev's famous crushing punches were unable to knock out Dmitry, who at times absorbed heavy hits and had to retreat into a tight defensive shell.

However, Beterbiev's fans should not expect the rematch to unfold in the same way. Dmitry has already acknowledged his mistakes and is preparing to enter the rematch even more energized and quicker.

What to Expect from Beterbiev in the Fight Against Bivol

Ironically, unlike his opponent, Artur doesn’t need to radically restructure his camp or come up with a completely new game plan. His pressuring style with a series of body shots and continuous attempts to trap his opponent in corners worked well. Although he wasn’t always able to bypass Dmitry’s defense, it still showed effectiveness.

However, this time, Beterbiev will face far more aggressive counterattacks. Therefore, in the rematch, he will need to significantly increase the intensity of his pressure, adding more punches to the body and incorporating more hooks to the sides.

If he fails to do so, he could risk slowing down after taking a few heavy jabs from Bivol, which may cost him a round.

Beterbiev's Chances of Winning

Due to his accuracy, power, and endurance, Beterbiev’s chances remain high. However, trouble could arise if Dmitry doesn’t slow down during the ninth or tenth round as he did in the first fight and instead conserves energy for the final bursts.

After such an intense start to the fight and a peak at the midpoint, Beterbiev could risk exhausting his stamina. Therefore, his team will face a tough decision: should they take the early rounds through power punches and excessive aggression and then switch to a defensive mode in the championship rounds? Or should they try to balance pressure and speed evenly throughout the whole distance?

In any case, the most dangerous rounds for the champion will be the sixth to eighth rounds, when he will likely need a brief recovery period, while Bivol will attempt to regain crucial points.

Beterbiev’s Last Five Fights

Dmitry Bivol

• Former super world champion under the WBA and IBO titles. Competed in 283 amateur bouts.
• Record: 24 fights, 23 wins, 1 loss.

Bivol odds to win

Bonus £50

Bet

1/1

Unlike many skeptics who believe Bivol lacks the punching power to stagger Beterbiev, Dmitry himself has no doubts that he could be the first to knock out the champion.

Given the outcome of their first bout, such predictions might seem overly optimistic. However, Bivol hints at a sharp, high-paced, and aggressive start to the fight, during which he aims to inflict significant damage on his opponent.

What to Expect from Bivol in the Fight Against Beterbiev

Even during the first bout, commentators noted that they had never seen Dmitry so focused yet unusually passive. Indeed, he spent far too much time analyzing and adjusting, cautious of counter hooks. This time, he plans to provoke dangerous exchanges repeatedly.

The strategy of a slow, reconnaissance-focused approach clearly didn't pay off. The best plan for Bivol's camp would be to claim the early rounds more decisively than Beterbiev.

By maintaining long-range positioning, increasing jab frequency, and pressing with lateral movement, Bivol could secure significantly more points this time around.

Bivol's Chances of Victory

Despite Beterbiev's danger, it’s important to remember that his attempts to secure a knockout often lead him to neglect his defense. Additionally, he is prone to feints, often chasing retreating opponents to unleash counter-combinations.

In those moments, Bivol needs to land side hooks while shifting, breaking the distance with jabs, and retreating.

The key for Dmitry is not to stand still in an effort to beat Beterbiev to the punch, but to force his opponent into pursuit, draining his energy and provoking reckless attacks.

Ultimately, Bivol’s path to victory lies in controlling the distance, baiting his opponent, employing double jabs, and relying on positional finesse to come out ahead on points this time.

Dmitry Bivol's Last Five Fights

Bivol vs Beterbiev Prediction

To understand the significance of this rematch for the boxing community, it's enough to note that the two fights are taking place just four months apart—a record for bouts determining the undisputed champion.

For Beterbiev, this haste is understandable. He knows his time at peak form is limited. Bivol, on the other hand, is rushing not out of necessity but because he and his team believe that minimal adjustments will secure a points victory this time.

However, we won’t bet on the favorite in this case. Despite Beterbiev’s power and precision, it seems unlikely that he will be able to maintain a relentless pace and catch Bivol in the same trap as before. That said, as the reigning champion, Beterbiev doesn’t need a super-dominant win. A solid defense and a couple of extra rounds in his favor could suffice to retain his belts.

Given the remarkable defense and durability both fighters showed in their first encounter, we don’t believe we’ll see a knockout this time either.

Our predictions and bets: The fight will go the full distance, or we’ll see a split-decision victory for either fighter.

The fight will go the full distance - Yes

Bonus £30

Bet

1/2

Frequently Asked Questions