Basically the best version of Bivol, who has already fought Beterbiev, fights last night a Beterbiev who suddenly found the fountain of youth and is reinjuvenated to the age, and time, when he fought Gvodzyk. Let's close this debate: Is the result the same or nah?
Big Bivol fan, but prime Beterbiev that fought Gvodzyk stops Bivol late. Not sure that anyone at 175 in last 30 years hangs with that Beterbiev, he was a real terminator, and he cannot sustain that relentlessness over 12 rounds anymore. I guess Beterbiev could arguable have got crafier and wiser in the ring older, but no one defeats father time. That said, I don't think Beterbiev has declined quite as far as some folks might make out, he's still in ridiculous condition for his age, but it's hard to see how Bivol would keep with prime Artur. Prime Kov maybe has a better chance because of his power and piston jab, but even then I'd take Artur to find that body and break him down. Roy Jones and Michael Spinks would be the ones i'd have to go to back to and prime Beterbiev would be a mare for both of them as well.
I hope Beterbiev gets the 3rd fight and gets a salary around $10M. The man has worked so hard all his life. He deserves a final big retirement paycheck.
Post Gvozdyk, Beterbiev has had COVID, a rib injury, jaw infection, torn knee ligaments He is many years removed from his prime yet is still in a league of his alongside Bivol.
Beterbiev stops him IMO. Beterbiev at his absolute best came forward all night making it a physical fight until his opponent fatigued and got stopped or they wilted to his power. He was coming forward all night. He would also cause mental fatigue because you couldn’t keep him off of you. Beterbiev now at 40 does not have the stamina to maintain that level of pressure and physicality anymore. Even still, he was very competitive with a prime Bivol.
A lot of people don't realize how devastating a body puncher he was in his prime. A guy with endless stamina, with savage power, blasting your ribs all night long. It's a tough fight for anybody.
bivol would be competitive with any version of beterbiev. he has a great chin, great fight IQ, great counterpunching, great speed, and great footwork.
Definitely have to strongly favour prime Beterbiev here. Wouldn't be surprised if Bivol managed to survive though.
