Just my opinion: Dmitry Bivol. He won’t win but has the best shot. He has the discipline and quickness to outpoint Beterbiev, which is what you need to do against a monster like that. It won’t be a fan pleasing fight, but Bivol’s effective in-and-out motion could see him win a majority of rounds. If he could avoid getting into a war or caught flush too many times, I think he could win on points however that’s a big if.
Beterbiev is very dangerous to any man who gets in the ring with him. Beterbiev can be outboxed but he can wear you down with that nasty jab to the body and feint his way in easily. Beterbiev can be outfought but his opponent would need great head movement/parrying skills, compact punching and great timing to get the best of Beterbiev in the pocket. Honestly, the best way to beat Beterbiev is to catch him in exchanges. You either need to be sublimely skilled or be able to score a lightening in a bottle punch on Beterbiev to beat him.
Unfortunately he is getting old so we probably won't see too many more fights from him but I honestly don't see anyone beating him. Bivol has the best shot and could win the early half of the fight and might even go the distance with Beterbiev just because of his movement. Hopefully Artur gets good fights before he's too old.
This. Two more years and Beterbiev is going to start slowing down enough for people to have a chance of outboxing him down the stretch.
Callum Johnson, Joe Smith. Land the big one in a shoot out. Johnson came close, hurt Beterbiev more than anyone, claims he froze a little afterwards. If he landed again and didn't freeze ...
