And lost taking loads of shots, no way could he take that amount of shots from a heavyweight in a fight longer than 3 rounds.
Beterbiev is doing very well no doubt, but it is far too early to ask this kind of question. If be fights Bivol, then at least the winner, will be worthy of challenging the best in other divisions.
Okay. However, it’s a 3 round amateur fight with head gear. Getting the best of someone at amateur level in a 9 min fight, can’t give you any evidence to how he’d get on against even a B or C level HW in a 12 round pro fight. He’s not even fought as a CW as a pro. He looks great. I’m very impressed. However, he’s still an 18 fight novice at LHW. A novice in the professional game.
He’s had 18 PROFESSIONAL fights, genius. Amateur and pro are completely different things. I don’t care what he did as an amateur, with head gear on, in 3 round, 9 min fights. You have no idea if he could be a credible HW in the professional ranks.
Loma is an amazing fighter. He was the Olympic King. One of the best, if not THE best amateur boxer of all time. However, he wasn’t ready for Salido, and he’s recently lost to Teo. Who would you put your money on Beterbiev beating today at HW? For all we know, he might not get past Dillian Whyte or someone. There’s just nothing to go on at this stage. Maybe if he ruled the CW division we’d have a better idea.
In your head, unlyfting titles and beating cab drivers is the same because it's the same numerical effect on th he win column.
Loma is a 1st ballot hof fighter who had massive hype behind him that created unrealistic expectations. He was expected to be the next Floyd or Pac. Beterbiev would lay out Whyte. I'd back him to beat most of the top ten and give Usyk a rough fight.
The fact Beterbiev can easily make 175 without looking scrawny as a 37 year old means as he obviously isn't a very large man. He actually looks very impressive and strong, both in terms of his physical appearance and his functional strength. The idea Beterbiev could add another 35 lbs and would perform exactly the same is pure speculation and doesn't fall in line with reality. For all we know, he'd be slower, stiffer, and with worse stamina.
Not at all. I’m just pointing out that as of yet, there’s no evidence to support the theory that Beterbiev could be a credible HW, either today, or back in the 70’s and 80’s. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong. Maybe he is capable. I’m going to reserve judgment though. I’m not going to believe that he could be a force at HW, based on 9 min amateur fights.
The point is, many people didn’t think that they were unrealistic expectations at the time. He was hyped just like you’re hyping Beterbiev. I wouldn’t back him to beat anybody at HW until I’d at least seen him in with a credible CW as a professional. Would he add any more mass? If so, how would it affect him? Lot’s of unanswered questions.
He beat a current champion and contender and fought at hw in the ams. The bar is not that high for being a contender or even alphabet material at hw.