Split decision: stats that will decide Bivol vs Beterbiev 2

In October, Dmitry Bivol became the first boxer to avoid a knockout by Artur Beterbiev. Tomorrow, he will try again to be the first boxer to beat Beterbiev.

- ALEX PATTLE

Some felt Bivol did enough to achieve that feat the first time, only for the now-former champion to suffer a first professional loss in the closest of fights. In any case, Bivol insists: “I must add more.” The 34-year-old has said so repeatedly ahead of this rematch, in which the undisputed light-heavyweight titles are on the line again.

But against one of the most unforgiving punchers in boxing, “adding more” means taking potentially disastrous risks. It means Bivol crossing a dangerous divide in Riyadh, where Beterbiev barely stayed unbeaten in October. One scorecard read 114-114; the others read 115-113 and 116-112 in the 40-yearold’s favour. The Independent scored the fight a draw.

While Bivol’s claim that he must “add more” is admirable, one could argue he took enough risks and showed sufficient defence to have won the first fight. But regardless of what the boxers think, or fans and pundits, what do the numbers say?