Beterbiev-Bivol 2: Key stats, numbers ahead of the boxing rematch - ESPN

Artur Beterbiev will make the first defense of the undisputed light heavyweight championship in a rematch against Dmitry Bivol on Saturday at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (DAZN PPV, 11 a.m. ET).

Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) defeated Bivol by majority decision last October to add the WBA belt to his WBC, WBO and IBF titles. It was the first time Beterbiev went the distance, ending his 20-fight KO streak. Beterbiev has held at least one of the belts since Nov. 11, 2017 — an impressive seven-year-plus reign as a champ. This will be Beterbiev's 10th defense of the IBF title, seventh defense of the WBC title, fourth of the WBO title and first of the WBA belt.

After his victory against Bivol, Beterbiev said he wasn't happy with his performance and that he needed to get better.

«I wanted to box today with more quality,» Beterbiev said. «I don't know why, but I didn't like this fight. But I'll be better one day.»

Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) suffered the first defeat of his professional career against Beterbiev. He landed more punches than Beterbiev (142 to 137) and was more effective, landing 34% of those punches to only 20% for Beterbiev, but that wasn't enough. He lost by scorecards of 113-115, 112-116 and 114-114.

«I have another chance,» Bivol said. «Not too many people get another chance. People like the fight which they saw the first time and they want to see it again, see me in the ring again. It's good, I have to work for it.»

Beterbiev is a slight favorite to win the rematch at -125 per ESPN BET.

In the co-main event, Joseph Parker will now face Martin Bakole after IBF champion Daniel Dubois was forced to withdraw from the fight due to illness on Thursday. The winner of the fight could be headed to a fight against