Perhaps I was a bit harsh but when I’ve been seeing hype like Beterbiev is the modern day Mike Tyson, the best at LHW, Ward retired to avoid him etc, and then see that kind of performance, I’m gonna comment on that.
Just because he's not flawless, doesn't mean he's not a great fighter. Yes he's still somewhat unproven at the top level in the pros, but the man is a dangerous fighter. And like any other man, he too can be hurt and can be put down. And getting put down off Callum Johnson doesn't mean he's got "no chin". Callum Johnson can punch hard as fck.
Many elite fighters in the past and present have gotten dropped or knocked out, this thread is meaningless.
Just watched the fight. Beterbievs a proper dangerman. He is really good. Yes has some holes/chunks in his armour but hey, who doesn't? Inactivity and a lack of challengers will most likely finish his career. Also great effort Callum Johnson, done yourself proud. That was a proper fight.
You’d think that Beterbiev had put on a poor performance judging by the reactions here. Beterbiev dominated the fight, even after getting dropped he went straight back on attack, no signs of being hurt. Reminds me of the Lomachenko-Linares fight. Despite everyone in the history of boxing ever showing signs of vulnerability due to the fact that it is human beings competing, when it comes to someone like Lomachenko or Beterbiev everyone acts shocked. Despite dominating and knocking out their opponents shortly afterwards. We just love to hate here, it’s completely irrational. Beterbiev showed great control of range, fighting off the back foot, counter punching from range, variety of punches. His power and strength is ridiculous, he throws short punches that are dynamite, he generates leverage with no space, he hurts guys with punches that aren’t clean, he can hold and hit with hurting punches in the clinch like no one else. He showed elite focus and self-belief with the way he responded to the knockdown. But no, let’s focus on the fact that he got clipped and dropped by a heavy puncher in a division where everyone can crack. Because of that let's call him limited and claim that everyone else in the division can beat him. It’s tiresome, and people who focus on that just demonstrate that they really don’t know anything about boxing. L
He’s the best fighter in the sport not named Lomachenko. Wait and see. That’s if anyone will fight him.
His opponent was good. This fight showed AB can be countered. He needs to tighten up his defense a bit.
His right hand was protecting his temple. An aggressive fighter gets tagged. There aren’t fighters more aggressive than Beterbiev. He has faith in his chin, based on his chosen style and the way he reacted to the knockdown. His opponent could really crack for a light heavy, in a division where most can crack. He doesn’t need to do anything other than keep on demolishing opponents.
Why? Because he got knocked down by Callum? So what? It was mostly an off-balance knockout, anyway. You could see Beterbiev was conscious the entire time the way he touched the canvas. I'm so tired of the "got knocked down in a fight = glass chin" argument.
I mostly agree, but AB has to keep the counter in mind, as the punch that can either hurt of floor you is often the one you don't see. When his opponents has a face glove guard on, he needs to jab to the body to lower that guard every now and then. Most upper weight fighters aren't good on the counter. A learning experience vs. a good and game opponent. I agree, his chin is very good, and he fights the best way for his style.
Yes, inactivity and a lack of challenges... But we're talking about a real Beterbiev in front of us, not just some kind of "theoretical" Beterbiev, right? And the real Beterbiev just almost doesn't have time to improve (he's 33 years old already), he needs to be the best right now in order to fight another champions.