Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 predictions, odds and boxing betting tips: Champion Beterbiev still has the edge

Where to watch Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 in the UK and Ireland

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 will be broadcast on Sky Sports Box Office, TNT Sports Box Office and streaming service DAZN as a PPV event, live from 4pm, Saturday. 

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Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 ring-walk time

The undercard starts at 3.30pm and the ring walks for the main event are expected to take place from 10.30pm on Saturday.

What are the odds for Beterbiev vs Bivol 2?

Check out the latest odds with Sky Bet below:

Odds correct at the time of publish

Best bets for Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2

Artur Beterbiev to win
2pts 5-6, Coral, Hills, Ladbrokes

Artur Beterbiev to win by decision or technical decision
1pt 13-5, general

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 prediction

Artur Beterbiev became the undisputed king of the light-heavyweight division with a majority decision win over Dmitry Bivol in October and the pair will go through it all again in the rematch on Saturday.

Beterbiev goes into the fight as the favourite but only a marginal one, as the first meeting was incredibly close.

Bivol had the better of the early exchanges and his accuracy and efficiency gave him the edge. However, he wasn’t able to do enough to stop Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and in the end the 40-year-old was able to turn the tide and outland Bivol in the latter rounds, which proved to be enough for two judges to score the fight in his favour with one going for a draw.

There are unlikely to be drastic changes in approach from either man for the second stanza of this fascinating rivalry. The first fight was so close there would have been no complaints if Bivol had had his hand raised or a draw had been declared but ultimately Beterbiev was just about a deserved winner.

Bivol, 34, probably will try to be a little more active but an all–out attack approach just isn’t his style and would almost certainly be a mistake. That said, the Russian is the challenger this time , rather than a fellow champion on equal footing, so the onus is on him to go and win the belts and that may give Beterbiev an extra edge.

The undisputed champion is an aggressive fighter who applies relentless pressure and he proved in the first meeting he can maintain - and even increase - his workrate right up until the final bell. The Russian-Canadian landed with 67 power punches to Bivol's 51 in the final six rounds and in the final two he connected with 29 to Bivol's 19. Bivol needs to turn that around if he is to take the titles but he is facing one of the best pressure fighters in the business and that could see him fall short again.

Beterbiev had stopped all 20 of his previous opponents before coming up against Bivol. He landed with some excellent shots in that first meeting but Bivol never looked in danger of being stopped and his defensive skills allowed him to avoid or deflect Beterbiev’s biggest attacks. Backing another close points win for the defending champion looks the best bet.

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Who is on the Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 undercard?

Read more on Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 . . .

Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo undercard predictions including Bakole vs Parker 

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2: Start time, undercard, latest betting odds and how to watch 

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