Bivol was on the wrong end of a majority decision result in the October bout, which crowned Beterbiev as the undisputed champion of the light heavyweight division.

The men will return to the ring together at Riyadh Season's The Last Crescendo, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View on February 22, with Bivol hoping to exact revenge on his rival while also becoming the ruler of the division.

The 34-year-old confessed to feeling "empty" in the immediate aftermath of the first Beterbiev meeting — something he aims to avoid this time around.

“It was a… tasteless life," Bivol told assembled media on Monday. "It was empty, no emotions, not enjoying the food which you want to enjoy.

“It was a short time when I didn’t like [life], but then I just switched the negative emotions and started enjoying life. I have another chance, not too many get another chance.

It’s great that I have another chance, and people liked the fight and want to see it again. They want to see me in the ring again, it’s good. I have to work for this."

• Read next | 'He has revenge if he wants revenge!' - Beterbiev lays down challenge to Bivol before rematch

For his part, Bivol says he eventually regained the joy in his life, and now he's looking to recapture the silverware that made him a world champion.

"Of course, I want to get my belt back," he said. "I had a goal to be undisputed, now I don't have a goal to be undisputed; I want revenge."
 

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