David Benavidez insists former WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol’s match against IBF/WBC/WBO champion Artur Beterbiev in Riyadh on October 12 last year China should win.

Bivol’s Advantages

WBC “interim” 175-pound champion Benavidez said Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) threw the better combinations and controlled most of the fight. He believes that if the 34-year-old Bivol fights like last time, he will defeat the undisputed champion Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) in the rematch in Riyadh on February 22. Their fight will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV.

Some believe the reason Benavidez picked Bivol to win the rematch was because he wanted Bivol to win as he might lack the confidence to beat slugger Beterbiev. “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez’s fighting style requires him to put every ounce of energy into each of his punches for maximum striking power.

David isn’t a big boxer, so he pushes harder to improve his strength. This style doesn’t work against Beterbiev because he has tremendous power with his short punches and, unlike Benavidez, he doesn’t need to end up generating power.

It would be a miserable night if Benavidez fought Arthur. He couldn’t keep shooting because he would get tagged. Additionally, David’s quick combination punches would leave him vulnerable to Beterbiev countering and knocking him down.

Although Benavidez can shoot well due to his thick skull and slightly acromegaly appearance, he doesn’t shoot as well against his body. He could get hurt there. In the 12th round, Oleksandr Gvozdyk hit Benavidez with a hard right hand to the midsection, completely stopping him for the rest of the round.

He didn’t throw a punch after being bruised by Gvozdyk in the final round. Beterbiev, a better physical boxer than Gvozdyk, will see this weakness and focus on that area rather than wasting his punches on Benavidez’s thick skull.

Rematch predictions

“I thought Bivol won that fight. It was a close fight. David Benavidez vs. mediatalking about the match between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol that took place in Riyadh on October 12 last year.

“I thought Bivol won most of the rounds. He controlled most of the rounds and his combinations were better,” Benavidez continued. “I think he (Bivol) did it (win the Feb. 22 rematch).

“Both fighters are quality fighters. So they can make adjustments. I don’t know if it’s the same fight, but if it’s the same fight, I feel like Bivol wins.”