This the same Beterbiev that nearly got wiped out by an inactive Callum Johnson? That guy? Yeah Calzaghe punches his head in.. Cheers
He recovered immediately and then knocked out Johnson cold. Beterbiev just took on the best fighter in his division. An elite guy in his prime. And then he KNOCKED.....HIM......OUT...…. That's boss. That's what I'm talking about.
Gvozdyk was not all that, and to top it off, he fought like an idiot with Teddy Atlas in his corner. He still managed to rock Beterbiev repeatedly, and he was not a powerful puncher. All of that said, I have no reason to believe Carl Froch could beat a cruiserweight lol. His physical stature was a big part of his game.
Gvozdyk has power; more of explosive variety rather than being heavy-handed. Stevenson would disagree with your assessment of the Nail's power.
Stevenson was 42 years old and so washed he went life and death with Badou Jack. That logic doesn't track regardless. I guess Charles Conwell is the biggest puncher in the sport since he killed Patrick Day. Honestly, Gvozdyk fought like an idiot. Trying to stand his ground against a guy who thrives in pocket exchanges. He's named for his jab, stunk out plenty of fights prior spamming it, and I find Teddy Atlas to blame for that gameplan.
Joe Calzaghe is any number of times the fighter Gvozdyk will ever know how to be, amateur records be damned. Froch beating Artur is pushing it (though his boxing is underrated, it's hard to see him resisting the pressure for 12), but Joe had everything he needed to box the ears off Beterbiev. Mr. Jaundice, meet Mr. Reason;
Stevenson started boxing professionally when he was about 30 years old plus how many fights did Stevenson have where he did not spark his opponent out within the first 4 rounds? He was a very well preserved 40 year old plus he had never fought a top level fighter until he faced Jack and Gvozdyk. NEWSFLASH: Jack is actually pretty good lol. Nah, watch the Gvozdyk vs Beterbiev fight again. Gvozdyk was boxing well at range but Beterbiev was hitting him HARD to the body. Beterbiev does not look like anything special but with the bricks in his gloves, his intelligent pressure and decent boxing ability, he is an A-level Light-heavyweight. Gvozdyk was wilting from the power of Beterbiev.
No fighter in the history of this sport was ever at their best at 42 years old. Ever. I watched Gvozdyk's rise through the sport, thought he looked middling, and watched him try to stand his ground versus a guy who loves that stuff. Wasn't surprised by it.
Beterbiev has a great jab, timing, power, stamina and physical strength. He doesn't look flashy or spectacular in the ring just brutally effective. Sort of like Carlos Monzon. You never leave his fight going wow look at him go. They were very physically hard men who broke their opponent down.
Monzon didn't just run with his chin forward letting people crack off on him. If you think that's preferable or good, I'm not trying to change your mind lol.
You're trying too hard to deride Beterbiev and not give the guy his props. Did he beat your favourite Polish fighter or something?
I love watching Beterbiev fight and think it's an absolute shame he wasn't in the mix in this division 5+ years ago. I also recognize at his age, with his miles, with his history, with his style, he's in a very vulnerable position. I don't think that's unreasonable. I don't think nearly as highly of Gvozdyk. I found him a chore to watch. I don't think he's a great scalp especially if he retires. That said, I'm not sure who is going to crack Beterbiev. I could see Bivol stinking the place out. That's still a pick em fight to me considering Beterbiev's shear physicality and relentless attack. I'd favor him over pretty much anybody. I also won't be surprised when he gets chinned out of nowhere. That's the gamble. I don't expect for his career to be comparable to Kovalev's when it's all said and done. A lot of that was political. He didn't get the right fights when he should have.
I agree. I could see him losing to a compete 'random' purely out of a loss of focus. However, he has a few years left in him and is a clean living fighter who lives the life. He is also one of those fighters that doesn't rely on reflexes and quick timing etc but rather brute force and pressure so I can see him competing at a high level for the next few years. A shame he turned pro so late and then signed with a rubbish promoter in GYM but if now is the time to make some noise, this really is it.