Former world champion Carl Froch has given his analysis on the big fight this weekend in boxing in Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev 2.
Speaking on his podcast after Froch gave his cutting analysis:
“So, we’ve just seen the main event: Artur Beterbiev taking on Dmitry Bivol in a rematch for the undisputed light heavyweight titles at 175 pounds. What a fight.
It was incredibly close and tough to call from round one all the way to the final bell. We expected it to be tight, and it delivered.
Both fighters left it all in the ring.
Bivol lost the first fight in a close, controversial decision, and many, including myself, thought he’d done enough to win that night.
Watching it back, though, I felt Beterbiev finished stronger and landed the more eye-catching shots, deserving the victory in that first bout.
But this time, in the rematch, Bivol came in with a purpose—like a man on a mission. He knew where he’d gone wrong in the first fight.
Toward the end of that bout, he took his foot off the gas—whether from fatigue or thinking he’d done enough—and it cost him.
This time, he wasn’t taking any chances. He didn’t just finish strong; he started strong.
The fight ebbed and flowed, with big punches landing from both men throughout.
On my scorecard, I had it five rounds for Beterbiev, six for Bivol, and the first round even—so a close 6-5 in Bivol’s favor. He won, and there weren’t many complaints.
It’s subjective scoring, though.
Beterbiev landed heavy, eye-catching shots that looked damaging, but if you’re only landing one or two per round, and Bivol’s working consistently—throwing five, six, seven-punch combinations, whether on the front foot or back foot, under pressure, and getting through Beterbiev’s guard—it’s hard to argue.
There were rounds where Bivol clearly took it.
Beterbiev won some tight ones with those big punches, but what Bivol did differently this time was finish strong.
In rounds 10, 11, and 12, he stayed busy, even under pressure.
Beterbiev tried to turn it up and landed some big shots, but Bivol’s work rate was too high, his accuracy too sharp.
He got through Beterbiev’s guard and landed clean. For me, the right man won.
After the first loss, Bivol didn’t complain. He said, “I need to go back to the drawing board, get in the gym, and right this wrong.
I wasn’t busy enough last time. Maybe I eased off at the end.” No excuses, no tantrums—just hard work.
He came back, set the record straight, and beat a monstrous puncher like Beterbiev in the rematch. What a performance.
I don’t often sit on the edge of my seat, mesmerized by a fight, but these two have done it to me twice now.
Elite-level amateurs, elite athletes, showcasing the sweet science of boxing at its finest.
Some pundits had it close, but there’s no arguing—the right man won.
Bivol was busier, more accurate, and his work rate pushed him over the line.
Don’t write off Beterbiev, though.
He kept trying, but the marks on his face told the story.
Bivol stayed fresh until the final rounds, only getting caught late—maybe a head clash or a punch—while Beterbiev was swelling up.
Bivol put on a masterclass and deserved the victory. What a treat for boxing fans.”
Classic Froch, straight to the point and without filter, and spot on too.
What a fight.
One of the rare fights that both purist boxing fans and carnage and blood and guts fans who enjoy mayhem and heavy punches, and heavy hitters, both enjoyed.
Pure boxing mixed in with heavy hits is always a recipe for a great night of boxing.
It’s nights like last night and this weekend that are going to make boxing great again.
You’d miss boxing when its gone, it isn’t the same at all when the sport was going through a bad patch at times.
When the sport of boxing is doing well, it truly is the King of all professional sport worldwide in the East and West.
When boxing is doing well, all is well in the world, this weekend another proof of it.
Hat tip to both boxers on a sublime display of fighting and boxing.
