Trainer Jose Benavides Sr. picks Dmitry Bivol to defeat undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in a 31-day rematch on February 22 in Riyadh.
Jose Sr. says he felt former WBA 175-pound champion Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) won the first fight against Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) by “one point” last Oct. 12. He sees Bivol do it again in their rematch next month.
Benavides Sr. states that Bivol was “faster” and that his “movement” was key to why he deserved the win over Beterbee. He did not mention how timid and unwilling Bivolja is to hire from the sixth round. He left that part out.
Buffalo didn’t show his heart as he ran around the ring, running away from the wolfBeterbiev, throughout the second half of the competition. Many fans seemed to decide who won based on the first six rounds, then fell asleep mentally in the second half as Beterbiev took the fight.
Confirmation bias in boxing
It’s called confirmation biasand it happens when people form their opinions early, making snap judgments about events, such as the Bivol-Beterbiev 1 fight. People who thought Bivol had won collectively made up their minds after six rounds, and then in the second half looked for evidence that they support their deep-rooted beliefs. They shut down Beterbiev’s dominance as he controlled the fight with his constant pressure.
“I think it will be another close fight.” We saw that both of them did the best they could. Both styles work for each other, and I believe in the first fight, Bivol won. For this fight, Buffalo can win again,” Jose Benavides Sr. said Sean Zittel on his thoughts on Artur Beterbiev’s rematch against Dmitry Bivol on February 22nd.
“He’s a little faster, he’s got more movement,” Jose Sr. said of Bivol. “Beterbiev hits hard and is probably waiting for that big shot.” Buffalo hopefully doesn’t get in front of him and get hit big. So I think it will be the same fight.
“Buffalo, I think he won by a point. It was a very close fight. It could have been a draw for me, but they gave Beterby’s. “I’m not a judge, but I felt he (Bivol) did enough to win that fight,” Benavides Sr. said.
Benavides’ stake
If Bivol wins the rematch with the Beterbees, it benefits Jose Benavides Sr. because his son, ‘Mexican Monster’ David Benavides, gets along better with Bivol. They have sparred in the past, and Benavidez has reportedly overwhelmed him with his pressure and volume.
Benavidez would not do so well against Beterbiev as he hits much harder with his short jabs and is an excellent counter puncher. The volume that Benavidez depends on to win his fights will leave him open to being nailed and hurt by Arthur.
Furthermore, Beterbiev goes to the body well, and he exploited Benavides’ major weakness in that area. Benavidez doesn’t take body shots well, and Beterbiev would often target that area, hitting him between his flurries to score a knockout.
If Beterbiev defeats Bivolo on February 22nd, Benavidez will have to seriously consider whether he wants to take this fight or move up to cruiserweight to go after Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.
Of course, that is if ‘Mexican Monster’ Benavidez wins a fight against WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1st. There is an excellent chance that Morrell will win that fight with his superior strength, technical skills and youth.
Morel will face the winner of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 rematch, leaving Benavidez to decide whether to move up to cruiserweight or be one of the many contenders at 175. Jose Sr. will likely be rooting for Bivol to win the rematch, knowing what’s going on in the stakes for his son, Benavidez.
REVENGE IS AROUND THE CORNER 🌟#BetterbievBivol2 | 22 FEB | #RiadhSeason pic.tvitter.com/BovSlVt3JA
— Top Rank Boking (@trboking) January 22, 2025
