very close but i think Bterbievs right hand is a great tool vs southpaws like Jirov, Beter by close decision
What an absolute war this would be. Both guys could be hurt but I do believe Beterbiev has a better chin than Jirov who would get staggered often in fights. This is close to a 50/50 fight but I lean towards Beterbiev who is more of a KO fighter as opposed to Jirov who was more of a swarmer that wore guys down with body work.
I pick Jirov by decision. He was more versatile. Could actually box a bit if he wanted to (former olympic gold medalist). Not to mention that 190 is his weight.
Beterbiev probably, but if at heavyweight as is suggesting, there are unanswered questions, although I’d still go with Beterbiev, I do t believe the size difference is that large between the 2. Jirov fought at 190lbs, and he was small for that weight too.
Agreed. Jirov was a natural 190 guy and honestly, I think Beterbiev is too. Jirov looked pudgy at heavyweight and not comfortable at all. He looked terrible against Moorer with the added weight and that was an old Moorer who looked incredibly slow in that fight. Jirov was never the same after Toney.
You are right about Jirov being versatile. As amateur, he was more of a boxer/puncher and won the Val Baker award at the 96' Olympics. It was weird how he abandoned his boxing pedigree as a pro and became more of a swarmer. He also became way more hittable as his pro career went on. I was a big fan of his and knew someone that trained with him in Arizona when his career was over. The guy could crack.
Definitely Beterbiev. More power, better technically, and much more durable. Jirov never made a pfp list.
