Artur Beterbiev vs Meng Fanlong likely for September 25th in Russia

Meng is quite good, but Beterbiev is in a different league.

However, if Meng can make some big adjustments, it could be really competitive. He has the footwork and some nice counters from the back foot. He could keep Beterbiev stuck in that high guard while moving around him, forcing Beterbiev to reset before he can throw anything.

Beterbiev´s defense is one of his biggest flaws. He is similar to Arthur Abraham in that regard. He can get stuck in that high guard while waiting for opportunities.
Beterbiev via KO as he lands enough bodyshots to force Meng to stay in front of him and then drags the slick southpaw into a brawl.

 

Nah this ends early

 

Ya seemed to miss the "if" part.

 

I don't think there is an if. But one thing is for sure your profile pic has made me want to watch iron giant tonight.

 

This is boxing. There is an always an "if". And I was making a case for Meng being able to make it competitive.
Callum Johnson made it competitive as hell. And he got stopped early.

Hell, Meng might clown Beterbiev and still get murdered inside 4.

 

You can't box Betebiev on the outside for too long. He'll keep you too busy and occupied and you won't be able to settle into a rhythm because he varies his attack (upstairs and downstairs) way too much and keeps you occupied just playing defensive. This is what happened to Gvozdyk; once the fire burned out he started getting countered way too much, then the bodywork started, then his arms dropped, then the distance closed then he gave in.

Meng is no Gvozdyk either. Also, should he go for broke and try to brawl with Betebiev then it is going to be a very short night.

 

Meng isn't that bad, but he's getting pumped here.

 

Dude has effectively been on death row for years now:
https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...5-ducks-beterbiev.605394/page-7#post-20288555

If he was smart he would've cashed out by now versus some contender or ex-champ on the wrong side of a mismatch and tanked his ranking to avoid this horrific beat-down.

 

I can't think of a better fighter that has had their career more poorly managed than Beterbiev (in recent boxing history).

 

In my experience, when you are counting on a fighter to be a different fighter for it to be competitive, it is usually not competitive.

 

who is lining up to fight him? High risk fight yet you probably won't get paid much because hes not a huge draw anywhere with casuals.

 

Top Rank's marketing of him has been poor as well.

The Gvozdyk fight should have propelled him but the pandemic situation killed that happening. The Meng fight was pencilled for 28th March and he should have called out Canelo or Bivol immediately.

He can always call out Kovalev to knock him sensless in Russia.

 

I agree that nobody is exactly knocking down his door looking for a fight, as nobody wants to be in the ring with him.
I am alluding more to his periods of inactivity, and numerous meaningless fights, such as this one. I understand the selection of this opponent may also be due to covid, however the guy just does not get big fights. He has had one with Gvodzyk. Beterbiev is extremely impressive, and at 35 he really should have more on his resume to match his potential. Too much time on the shelf, too many fights that do nothing for his legacy, popularity, or pocketbook.

 

He had a shoulder operation and had some promotional disputes. Hence the inactivity.