Yes very true. It is now or never. Another year on the sidelines will have such a detrimental effect. Sugar Ray Leonard said it best, "inactivity is what ruins fighters."
It looked to me like Beterbiev was trying a bit too hard to look impressive with an early KO. He got caught by a counter and dropped for his troubles by a guy who's got toughness and power. Beterbiev then got serious and displayed his superior boxing ability and brutal punching power in route to a KO win. He and his fans in the know hope that he showed enough vulnerability to get some of the top guys to grow a pair and fight him now.
Beterbiev grinds Ward down with or without taking low blows, he's to robust and strong..He breaks him !