Photos: Mikey Williams / TR Boxing
Dmitry Bivol made a triumphant return to the top of the light heavyweight division, defeating Artur Beterbiev by majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 116-112) in their highly anticipated rematch on February 22, 2025, in Riyadh.
This outstanding performance—where he turned the tide after a first half dominated by Beterbiev—allowed him to reclaim the undisputed 175-pound title, erasing the only loss of his career. This intense battle, which could set the stage for a trilogy, now opens up a world of possibilities for Bivol, from solidifying his status to taking on even greater challenges.
I’ll go even further: I believe Dmitry Bivol is the greatest light heavyweight in boxing history. Roy Jones Jr. certainly dominated his era, but fighters like Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver eventually brought him down. Bivol, on the other hand, has built an impressive résumé with victories over Craig Richards, Umar Salamov, Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, Jean Pascal, and, of course, Artur Beterbiev. To me, this record is enough to prove his supremacy.
Fighters with refined technique and tactical intelligence—like Bivol—often have the upper hand in rematches. A simple analysis of the CompuBox stats from their first fight already revealed the necessary adjustments: better accuracy, increased offensive output, and avoiding Beterbiev’s heavy shots. Bivol executed this plan to perfection in the rematch, reinforcing his place in the pound-for-pound rankings and, in my opinion, establishing himself as the greatest 175-pounder of all time.
At 34, the Russian-Kyrgyz boxer is on the verge of becoming a global superstar. Under the guidance of Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn, he is expected to take on major fights, whether in Riyadh or England. After all, he is the undisputed champion of the division, thanks to a near-flawless performance against Beterbiev.
Photo: Mikey Williams / TR Boxing
Five Possible Paths for Bivol’s Future
Trilogy with Artur Beterbiev
Turki Alalshikh wants it, and he usually gets what he wants. However, Beterbiev’s coach, Marc Ramsay, remains cautious: “A third fight depends on Artur. At 40 years old, will he still have the motivation for such a challenge and all the sacrifices it entails? We’ll let time do its work and see.” The decision now rests with Beterbiev.
Photo: Mikey Williams / TR Boxing
Fight Against David Benavidez
Benavidez has proven himself by defeating David Morrell, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, and Caleb Plant—three former world champions. Tall, powerful, and relentless, he deserves a shot at the title. This clash would be explosive.
Photo: Esther Lin / PBC Boxing
Rematch with Canelo Alvarez
Looking back, Canelo displayed solid defense in their first fight, despite a timid offense. By adopting a more aggressive approach, the Mexican superstar could hope for a better outcome. It would also be his chance to avenge the loss and silence critics who accuse him of picking favorable opponents.
Photo: Esther Lin / PBC Boxing
Mandatory Title Defense
Germany’s Michael Eifert (13-1, 5 KOs), the IBF’s mandatory challenger since his win over Jean Pascal, has been waiting so long that the clothes he wore that night are probably out of fashion. The IBF, known for its strict enforcement of rules, may soon force Bivol to either defend his title or vacate it.
Moving Up in Weight
Rumors suggest a possible jump to the 200-pound division to face Australia’s Jai Opetaia, a champion favored by the Saudi prince. Such a move would be bold but not out of the question for Bivol.
For fun, I predict that in each of these scenarios, Bivol would win by judges’ decision—staying true to his precise and relentless style.
Conclusion
Dmitry Bivol isn’t just dominating the 175-pound division—he’s redefining what it means to be a champion. His brilliant victory over Beterbiev in February 2025 cemented his legacy, and the options ahead—an epic trilogy, massive challenges, or a move to a new weight class—promise to keep his star shining at the top of the boxing world. If he continues on this path, there’s no doubt his name will be etched in history—not just as a light heavyweight great, but as one of the sport’s all-time legends.
