Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s hotly anticipated rematch is the talk of the boxing world.
The pair met in an epic light-heavyweight undisputed title battle in October last year, which saw Beterbiev get the edge on the judges’ scorecards in a contentious decision.
Bivol believed he had done enough to capture all of the belts, but was ultimately handed his first career defeat.
However he will get an immediate shot at revenge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this weekend as he looks to snatch back the crown and inflict the same pain on his rival.
It is an intriguing clash of styles once again with Beterbiev the powerful knockout-artist, who will be no doubt chasing for the stoppage.
Bivol has elite boxing IQ, movement and fast hands, with the pair to once again propose different problems for each other.
Despite the previous result, the pair can barely be separated by the boxing fraternity.
It promises to be an intriguing chess match, and talkSPORT take a look at the host of boxing stars have attempted to chop the fat on the undisputed sequel….
Who is backing Beterbiev?
Frank Warren
“I am favouring Beterbiev,” Warren told TNT Sports.
“But if Eddie [Hearn’s fighter Bivol] wins, then brilliant. That’s great for him.
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“They’ve all beaten Brits. This is something extra, extra special.
“I see great fighters. And I see a fight. I’m a neutral in this, so I’m going to enjoy every moment of this.
“I’m not biased. I just want to see the best man win.”
Carl Froch
“It could go either way but I just think Beterbiev has just got that edge,” he said.
“That power and strong finish could be the way he gets the job done.
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“But Bivol if he turns up fitter than the first time and a bit faster pace, he could nick this on points.
“But my money is on Beterbiev.”
Hamzah Sheeraz
He said: “Repeat. And a more convincing repeat this time.”
Who is backing Bivol?
Tony Bellew
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“Once again it’s going to be a closely fought fight, but I just think Bivol can improve that little bit more,” Bellew told DAZN.
“Beterbiev is a few months older and there’ll be more miles on the clock from their first fight.
“Beterbiev might think he can start quicker and see it out again, but it’ll be hard for him to fight at a fast pace so quick after their first fight.
“A part of Bivol will think he should’ve had his hand raised in their first fight and the improvements he needs to make are only small.
“It’ll likely be close again, but I just think Bivol will be the fresher man.”
Shakur Stevenson
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“Revenge. I think Bivol. I think all he had to do was just finish a little bit stronger,” he told Boxing News.
“He did really good in the fight, but the last two to three rounds, he kind of let his foot off the gas. And I think he knows that.”
David Benavidez
“I thought they both looked amazing [in the October fight], honestly,” Benavidez told The Ring.
“I think it was a great fight that goes down for ages. Bivol was landing the more technical and eye-catching shots but Beterbiev hurt Bivol and did more damage.
“If you don’t hurt him or knock him down or drop him, I think the person who is landing most of the shots should win.
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“If it’s the same fight [in the rematch], I think Bivol should win, if they give it to him. If they rob it from him, then it’s Beterbiev.”
Amir Khan
“Both are my friends and I like Beterbiev as well. He’s a Muslim brother.
“But I like Bivol. I know Bivol more personally. He’s more of a personal friend.
“So if I was to pick someone, I’d rather go for my friend. Like nothing against Beterbiev.
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“He’s a great champion. He’s a Muslim brother as well.”
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