Undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev is set to put everything on the line once again on February 22 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a highly anticipated rematch against Dmitry Bivol. The two first clashed in October, with Beterbiev securing a controversial majority decision victory in a fight filled with relentless action and exchanges.

Now, they are set to headline a stacked card in what promises to be the ultimate battle for light heavyweight supremacy. As the rematch approaches, one of Beterbiev’s former rivals has weighed in with his prediction for the fight. So, the question is, who? Well, it’s none other than former WBC light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk.

Gvozdyk fought Beterbiev back in 2019 for the IBF and WBC light heavyweight titles. Beterbiev dropped him three times to end the fight in round ten via knockout. While Gvozdyk could not win, he has first-hand experience of fighting boxing’s scariest fighter. So, during his interview with Fight Hype recently, Gvozdyk explained his prediction for the bout.

“I score Bivol won first fight, little bit, not like a robbery, controversial something crazy. But I got Bivol a little better,” he told the reporter. “I think the second fight Bivol going to be definitely stronger… If he start fading out then he got in trouble. Not in trouble, but I go with Bivol.”  He also speculated that Bivol’s prior loss could have been because of a bad day at the office or even an injury.

Despite that though, Gvozdyk added, “I kind of see second fight is 50/50 fight and slightly to Bivol. I guess because again I believe that Bivol going to be stronger and will be better be stronger.” Meanwhile, Top Rank honcho Bob Arum has shared his prediction for the bout.

Bob Arum on Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch

Bob Arum expects a more aggressive Artur Beterbiev in his rematch with Dmitry Bivol on February 22. “When the rematch was offered to Beterbiev, he never hesitated to accept it,” Arum told Sky Sports, adding, “I thought Beterbiev in the first fight was a little too tentative till the later rounds. I think it will be different this fight.”

Top Rank chairman Todd DuBoef echoed Arum’s sentiments, saying, “The question is, does Artur start that earlier? Can he start that in round one?” Beterbiev, known for his knockout power, will be looking to leave no doubts this time. “The only way he wins every fight that he fought was by knockout… So obviously he would want to win the fight by knockout,” Arum stated.

That said, it appears the world is split on who would win on fight night. With the stage set for the year’s biggest fight, let us know who you think will win the rematch.