Artur Asilbekovich Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Yuryevich Bivol

This will play out like Froch vs Ward. With Bivol in the role of Ward dominating til the final bell.

 

Ward didn't dominate 'til the final bell, but he was in control for much of the contest. Froch spent too much of that bout trying to prove he could fence with Ward (not that Froch can't box, but standing off wasn't the right policy on that night). I don't think Beterbiev is going to betray his strengths in the matchup.

 

Ward won that either 10-2 or if you're generous 9-3. Could even be ruled a shutout.

 

Ward won clear, zero controversy, but it couldn't reasonably be ruled a shutout nor a domination 'til the final bell. That's much more a Ward-Green than a Ward-Froch.

 

domination: the exercise of control or influence over someone or something, or the state of being so controlled.
Even Froch himself stated post-fight: "I couldn't really get anything going, he was too slippery. I wanted to put my shots together but he moves low and slips and slides, he's very clever up close. It was very frustrating for me tonight. Fair play to him".

 

But Ward didn't exercise that control over the entire fight, which is what you asserted ("til the final bell"). In fact, he was literally watching the clock in the late going, because his firm control over the action had waned by the championship rounds. He was happy to hear the final bell. Again, something like Ward-Green is a much more apt example of dominating a fight from first bell to last.

Froch's words constitute testimony that he was soundly beaten and had a frustrating evening. Domination from first to last bell is another matter.

It should be noted that I say all this as one of the forum's few admirers of Ward.

Anyway, @rinsj, the real point here is that I doubt Beterbiev will betray his strengths in this matchup the way Froch did. He will look to put the heat on Bivol from the outset.

 

Beterbiev has 1 World, 2 European championship gold, 1 World championship silver medals. He reached quarter finals in 2012 Olympics.

Beterbiev didn't collect those medals from trees. They are a proof of his superior skill set.

He has knocked out all his opponents. And he beat and knocked down Usyk in the amateurs.

I think Beterbiev beats Bivol black and blue and knocks him out in round 11.

If I were Bivol, I would avoid Beterbiev, chase the rematch with Canelo and take a dive for $50M. Where else could he make that amount of money?

 

Who?

 

I think win the early rounds though...after that Artur make the usual breakdown and wins it by ko of course.

 

I am certain he will bring it to Bivol. Just hope it happens sooner than later as Beterbiev isn't getting any younger.

 

The vote is based on the impressions of the fight we watched last night, and the quality shown by Dmitry Yuryevich Bivol.
No one mentions the weaknesses of Artur Asilbekovich Beterbiev. The current LHW lineal champion.

 

I also, admire, or rather begrudgingly admit Ward has left a great legacy. Cant stand his style, but if I was to retain any sort of boxing integrity or honor I'd have to admit he had an ATG career. He has a collection of bouts and victories over top level prime opponents that very, very few modern boxers can rival. Hell, his top 3 victories surpass Floyd's.

 

Bivol is a master technician and Beterbive is a monster.

I voted KO by AB ( maybe 11th round) but Bivol has the best chance to outlast the beast and win on points more than any active boxer today

 

Because most people are lemmings who live for the moment.

 

Betterbivol wins a boxing match vs Betterbiev... but the question here is how well does Betterbivol recover from a knock down, because he will have to at some point. If he CAN do that, Betterbivol wins this.

And if this happens SOON it favours Betterbivol. Activity, and his recently acquired huge confidence may aid getting him over the line if they fight soon.