Roy Jones Jr believes Dmitry Bivol must be aggressive and look for a knockout to beat undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in their rematch on February 22 in Riyadh.
Boxing great Roy Jr. says Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) fought well in the early rounds of the first fight with Beterby (21-0, 20 KOs) on Oct. 12, but then “let” him go. second half, resulting in his loss.
The buffalo must attack
Jones Jr. states that Bivol must go on the attack and look for a knockout to win. Bivolo’s negative, damaging defensive style, which includes constant movement and clinch, and sporadic takedowns, failed to get a decision last time against Beterbiev.
In the rematch, Bivol must show courage and attack Beterbiev as he did against marginal contender Malik Zinad on June 1. Bivol was the aggressor in that fight and scored a knockout in the sixth round, his first stoppage in six years since Sullivan Barrera competition 03.03.2018.
Buffalo would have to change the “hit and don’t hit” mindset. to shoot for a knockout against four-time champion Beterbiev at 175 pounds. He doesn’t like to be hit, and he should be complete DNA makeover to launch an attack on KO artist Beterbiev.
Bivoli’s body language during the second half of his fight with Betterby last October was that of a frightened person, trapped and in the clear panic mode. Whatever fight Bivol had in him early on, it was gone by the seventh round. He looked like a frightened animal running away from a predator trying to eat him. For Bivol to attack as Jones Jr. advises doesn’t sound realistic for his timid nature.
Rematch tactics
“I thought Bivol came out early, but Beterbiev came back quite late.” They both wrestled differently than they wrestled,” Roy Jones Jr. said Secondsouttalking about the first contest of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol on October 12th.
“We expected Arthur to try to knock him out.” So when he didn’t try to knock him out, it turns out he has boxing skills too. This time, I hope Beterbiev boxes smart, but I hope he looks for the KO.
“I know Bivol probably realizes he wants to win this time; he will go for KO. Attack more, be in front, and when the lead comes, hold the lead,” Roy Jr. said of what Biwall must do to win the Feb. 22 rematch with Betterby. “He got the lead but let Arthur bring him back down.
The advice that Roy gives Buffalo would have managed to have a different head on his shoulders. If you put the courage of candidate Willie Hutchinson into Buffalo’s head, he might take Jones Jr.’s advice to attack Beterbee on February 22.
Buffalo will fight like he did in the first match with Arthur by punching, running and holding. It’s all he can do because Buffalo lacks the necessary courage.
