Artur Beterbiev has laid down a challenge to Dmitry Bivol, telling his rival he has "revenge" if he wants it in their undisputed light-heavyweight rematch next month.
The two will meet four months on from their first encounter last October when they clash at Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View on February 22.
In the original encounter, Beterbiev won a majority decision to take all four major belts, and he will put his titles back on the line for this hotly anticipated contest.
Speaking ahead of their second dance, the star has thrown down the gauntlet to his opponent, while suggesting he was fortunate to not be stopped in their first clash.
"It's a good feeling [to be the champion]," he said at the pre-fight press conference. "My goal now is to keep my belts. I will do my best to do that.
"He has revenge if he wants revenge, no problem. I need to be better enough to win. Big, small or medium, I don't know, but I need to be better enough to win.
"I don't know [why I did not knock him out]. He was lucky that night. I think February 22, we are going to see a good fight. My message is be ready, nothing more."
Beterbiev is looking to preserve an unbeaten professional record in the ring, though victory by decision may still be considered an underachievement by the star.
His inability to stop Bivol across the fight was noted in the aftermath, and the former will be determined to ensure that this second encounter does not go the distance.
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