Dmitrii Yurievich Bivol vs. Artur Asilbekovich Beterbiev & Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey RBR.

I wanted AB to win but I just didn’t see it. Maybe the replay will change my mind.

 

It won't.

 

Artur definitely won the Ring Generalship and Effective Aggression Categories. Just in terms of body language, he was the come forward fighter all night, and Bivol while crafty and elusive, was on the backfoot for most of the fight. Though unlike against Canelo, Bivol didn't really get caught on the ropes, though I don't think Artur really tried to pin him on the ropes. Clean effective punching that's a tough one because Dmitry landed some nice combos and was more elusive. But maybe his punches weren't as effective on Artur as Artur's punches were on him. I mean Bivol did seem to get worm down and slowed down towards the end. Defense was very even. Both were blocking well thoughout as was to be expected. It was really a very defensive chess match. Bivol definitely seem to be outboxing and outlanding Artur for the majority of the match, but he didn't impose his will and Artur really came on strong in the Championship rounds. In the end, Allah chose Artur, Bivol fought well but he did seem to be worn down by the end.

Af the end, neither guy was sure he won. Neither guy really took risks, which I can't say I was surprised about given how these guys normally fight. It wasn't as exciting as Canelo Berlanga. Which is kind of funny considering no one wanted to see Canelo Berlanga beforehand and it ended up being far more exciting than this. But although this wasn't that exciting, it was intriguing to watch and an important fight for boxing. They are two highly skilled evenly matched Light Heavyweights and both are capable of beating one another. I don't think Artur has the skills to really outpoint Dmitry and tonight proved that, but I guess he didn't need to, at least in Saudi. While watching it seemed that most agreed Bivol was winning, but Artur definitely closed the show strong forcing Bivol to cover up. Bivol's movement was quite good at times, and his tight guard made it hard for Artur to find him. But when he did Bivol was certainly affected by it and was covering up for long stretches.

I would definitely want to see it again, it might be more of the same but maybe we'll see more separation in the second one.

 

100%

 

I think also Bivol had twice the accuracy of Beterbiev from the fight stats; Bivol threw half as much and landed twice as much, but that was by mid rounds

 

Bivol is the better boxer at this point in their careers.
But Beterbiev's punches, wherever they landed, had more impact. He was able to move forward on Bivol and force him to defend and clinch. Bivol's punches were snappier, but didn't seem to bother the older man much.

Bivol definitely gave the best performance of anybody who has fought Beterbiev so far.

And as I mentioned, it could have been reasonably scored 115 - 113 in favour of either man, or 114-114.

If Beterbiev was three or four years younger, I think it would have been a bit more one-sided and and judges might not have been needed.

Bivol nearly pulled it off and if there's a rematch, and he makes the appropriate adjustments, he can become the four belt, lineal champion, and he has some years left to cement a decent legacy.

 

If there’s a rematch Bivol will dominate. Puncher’s usually have the advantage in the first fight because they catch guys off guard with how strong and powerful they are. Bivol can take that feeling to the gym and up his conditioning to make sure he’s stronger and sharper. Boxer’s tend to do better in the rematches for that reason. Beterbiev will also be older.

We’ll see what route Beterbiev chooses from here though. He could walk into the sunset.

 

Think how goddamn hard AB is punching. He hit an opponents glove and the force of that blow caused a shiner. I've been saying for YEARS that AB punches 500 times harder than Canelo does and he would tear right through Bivol's high guard.

 

Both fighters didn't sound happy with their performance.

 

Because he did? Artur really poured it on him 10-12, with Bivol shelling up for long spells - he did fight back in spurts, but not often enough IMO. If he could fight back he should have tried to tie up a bit more, but I know he things that's 'not honorable' or something. But his inability to clinch and more successfuly frustrate and nullify Arturs offense in the championship rounds is really what lost him the fight

 

Close fights are not robberies Bivol didn’t do enough to take it away from the champ who had 3 belts Nah wat I’m sayin?
It was a close fade and Beterbiev won @CooperKupp @UnleashtheFURY

 

Tells me they aren't used to his fights going to decisions. They expected a KO victory and panic began to set in. They overreacted he was doing enough to win.

 

That is a fair point.

 

Mayweather fought in the lower weight classes, where the wee men fought there can only generate a small amount of force. AB is not a small man. The shoulder roll just doesn't work against the bigger punching LHWs. The human body can only take so much force on the arms and shoulders before it reacts negatively to the impact.

 

I know, Babality.

My point was that if he was able Poland so hard on Bivol's gloves that Bivols own gloves then landed on Bivol's face, bruising him, then IMO, such punches do damage and do count.