I can't see Beterbiev being able to offset Bivols timing and focus. His concentration and iq is way above anything Beterbiev has displayed.
But he has far less power, and Beterbiev is brutal when he closes distance. Also, Beterbiev is technically very sound.
Bivol is better than Beterbiev. Power is only one factor in boxing. Defense, Ring IQ, Speed, Ring Generalship are equal factors and Bivol seems to have edge.
Power, Beterbiev >> Bivol Ring IQ, Bivol > Beterbiev Speed, Bivol > Beterbiev Ring Generalship, Beterbiev > Bivol Stamina Beterbiev > Bivol
On the face of it I'd agree that Bivol * should * out box Beterbiev. But I'm of the opinion that Gvozdyk is as good or better than Bivol and we all saw what Beterbiev did to him. The raw physicality and thudding power Beterbiev brings to the table is something else. It seems to define all of his fights.
Beterbiev's defense is decent, offence is excellent and he is very smart. Rarely out of balance, always calm. He will get Bivol in a corner and put a world of hurt on him. Canelo simply wasn't big or strong enough to do that to Bivol.
Canelo’s defense made Bivol look slightly impotent. I don’t think he’d have that trouble vs Beterbiev like he didn’t vs Pascal and Smith. Beterbiev will be much easier for Bivol to land on when he wants to.
Still 50/50 on that, but maybe edging towards 51/49 on Bivol for a couple of reasons:- 1) Beterbiev is clearly in decline and is 37 now 2) Bivol came through the body test against Canelo with flying colours, and showed he could use his IQ to turn Canelo and keep the fight ay his distance 3) Bivol's poker-face and discipline in executing a flawless gameplan with fluid, economical efficiency was really impressive However, Beterbiev has such concussive power from short blows that he could disrupt and break down all of Bivol's strengths; that's why it's my most wanted fight, and has been for ages!
