Bivol goes in as favourite (and is there a rematch clause?)

Firstly I'm glad this fight is taking place - didn't seem likely for whatever reason(s) before but I'm glad it's there. Two incredibly classy fighters and the fight the division wanted and needed.

I think Bivol goes in as favourite for a few reasons. His punch output is very high, especially in the first half of the fight and it remains high all the way to the 12th round - he can still hit his flurries till the end of the match. His footwork remains light and sharp all the way to the end - his conditioning is amazing.

The Canelo fight gave a few insights. Bivol coped well on the inside, he was able to protect himself pretty well and take some pretty hard shots from Canelo. Boxing IQ was very evident.

I think Bivol's team will have seen his recent fights and know that Beterbiev stays open and does get hit quite often - Bivol will score a lot. I think his team will work on avoiding getting hit hard by Beterbiev's well known knockout power and it seems likely for a a points victory for Bivol.

So Bivols footwork, punch output, defence and chin puts him as favourite for me.

Does anyone know if there's a rematch clause?

 

He is fighting a Beterbiev that’s past his prime at age 39

 

True, sad this fight never happened before. Nature of the industry, avoid the top guys then cash out at the end. I think Bivol still edges it with a prime Beterbiev.

 

Beterbiev knocks him out.

 

You can't blame Russian speakers as much. They really do have to spend their entire career knocking over English speaking named fighters to build a profile. Gvozdyk got pummeled in front of no one by Beterbiev and his career was totally upended. He should have ducked and beat the Callum Smith types.

It's much more egregious when UK/American fighters with big names duck one another.

 

Nonsense

 

Wait, which one did the avoiding in this case?

 

Really good post.

 

It wasn't a good post. Suggesting that Gvodzyk should have ducked Beterbiev is insane

 

Bivol

 

Naturally, there is a rematch clause as with all unifications. If the fight is close and the money are there, they will do it again.

 

Bivol is getting beat up in this fight. Beterbiev isn't a blown up Jr.MW like Canelo.

 

But Bivol is going to shock da world and win doe
Dude is the betting favourite because he is a lot younger a win for 40 year old Beterbiev would be far more impressive.

 

Bivol would make 168lbs even now

Beterbiev has a naturally bigger frame and is tight at 175lbs. Watch how emaciated and cranky he will be in the last few days to the weigh in.

Sooner or later - that natural size difference will be apparent in the fight

 

I bet like 4 different ways on Beter win. I could be wrong and lose, it happens, but I genuinely feel Beter has 1 more dominant performance in the bag