A great fantasy fight, I think that Beterbiev is still a better and more versatile fighter and that he would win, but the fight would definitely have great moments.
Oh man, Cooper, he’s eating and getting delivered **** sandwiches all day from this Beterbiev. Now then, the year is 2088, I’m content.
The fact is, Cooper had excellent chin and took numerous clean punches vs prime Holyfield, Moorer and Mercer. I don't believe for a second that Betterbiev hits nearly as hard as Mercer who scored numerous cold knockouts vs real heavyweights. And he definitely hits harder than any Arthur's opponent, amateur and pro. If Cooper is in a good fighting mood (not a quit mood - which happened to him in some fights even in his prime), Betterbiev might be taken out.
Smokin Bert would clip him so hard it would be crazy. Everybody Cooper lost to in his "primish" were legit big HW bangers. No one was his size/frame. And he pretty much hurt almost everyone that ended up beating him. Beterbiev I would say stands nearly no chance here. Cooper was a bigger puncher, had way faster hands and was durable enough to get hurt (which I don't think Beterbiev would even be able to) and still damn near ice you even when he's hurt.
Was he that good v Evander? A late substitute for a substitute so maybe not even in his best shape and he landed a hail Mary he didn't capitalise on...now, whether Mills saved Vander or not, my memory suggests from 4-7, he got battered? I love Bert, loved his attitude, his style but for me he has become over-romanticised. Known for leaving it all out there win or lose. What were his best wins? He's best known for losing in wars. And I think that's what he does here. Loses to the more educated, more precise more consistent punches of Beterbiev. Close fight, competitive fight, but one that ends with Beterbiev Smokin' Bert...
I agree that Bert wasn't in the best shape vs Holyfield. He only had 6 days to train. But, I wouldn't say Bert landed a lucky "Hail Mary" punch. The punches that rocked Holyfield were the same sneaky right hands he landed on many fighters. His right hand was fast and powerful. If he lands it on Beterbiev, Artur is done. And, the fact that Bert was landing those while receiving a storm of punches from the much stronger Holyfield shows that Artur could be in danger as long as Bert is still throwing. If Bert shows up hungover, or, out of shape, all bets are off.
Fair points, I just didn't think it was fair to cite the Vander fight as one of his standouts. He was probably better losing to Mercer and Moorer!!
Beterbiev is easily better P4P but Cooper has a lot of lbs. Not sure that Beterbiev's style really translates to fighting bigger dudes that well. I think I'd take Bivol over Cooper though.
It depends on what version of Bert Cooper turns up sometimes he could show a lack of desire in fights aka vs Foreman. But then other times he would go out on his shield in great efforts vs Mercer, Holyfield, Moorer. Cooper doesn't have many big wins but if motivated he could give Beterbiev hell and has the power to seriously trouble him. Cooper would be by far the hardest puncher Beterbiev has fought and its not like Beterbiev can't be hurt. Anthony Yarde buzzed him numerous times and Callum Johnson floored him heavily and had Beterbiev on shaky legs.