Did Father Time get Beterbiev?

I actually thought Beterbiev looked better than in the first fight. He started faster and looked a little lighter on his feet. I think the real reason he tired was Bivol taking those rounds off in the middle: Beterbiev threw a lot in those rounds and paid for it in the second half.

 

Why do you say he’s juiced? I will say the difference between his physique and Bivol’s is very noticeable. Bivol looks like he has aesthetic beach muscles (I mean, clearly not actually the case, he’s one of the finest boxers in the world). Beterbiev looks twice as dense, like he’s carved from granite, like if you clapped him on the shoulder it would hurt your hand. I’ve just assumed it’s the difference of genetics — observing them in-ring, it’s clear that Beterbiev is much stronger physically.

 

I thought Beterbiev did enough to win tbh, but, I think he has poor shot selection and placement, doesn't mix up the right hand enough, he should whip in more shots to the left rib cage of Bivol and through more right hooks.

 

He was praying instead of preying.

 

I thought he looked better than he did in the first fight.

 

40 years old, of course.

Still a fantastic win by Bivol.

 

Disagree, I think Bivol beats Ward and Kovalev. Ward would have nothing for Bivol, he wouldn’t be able to hug and headbutt and I think Kovalev would have a good chance of a KO but would lose a very close fight imo

 

Tired? I didnt see him tired at all, actually he finished the fight pressuring like no tomorrow and winning the 12th round to a way younger athlete by pure activity and workrate. At his 40s, which is extremely suspicious, tbh.

 

He should've kept pressing Bivol, in round 7 he stopped pressing. He had won rounds 4, 5, 6 and Bivol had no answer to him.

 

I was pretty obvious that rounds 4, 5 and 6 were part of bivol's strategy. When bivol said "no more free pressure allowed", Beterbiev only could win roun 12. And I repeat that it is very significative for a 40 yo man, significative and suspicious AF.

 

ANY 40 year old fighter will not be what they once were at 30. It’s simple really. If Artur was 32-33 he would’ve stopped Bivol in the later rounds imo. With that being said, Beterbiev definitely isn’t “Washed” or “Old and past it”

He’s just obviously not what he once was at his best. Bivol fought hard and smart. I had Beterbiev winning by a round but this certainly wasn’t a ‘robbery’

I got Beterbiev by stoppage in the 3rd fight. Probably cuts. He’s going to open up a lot sooner and more often.

 

Beterbiev is definitely no spring chicken, so we can't talk about Beterbiev as if he was in his prime. However he hasn't been in any wars, he wasn't showing signs of slowing down, and people were more than willing to accept his victory in a close fight the first time. This isn't some totally different fighter than a few months ago. Bivol already showed an excellent account of himself in the first fight and many thought he won it. Bivol is the younger fresher fighter, his is analytical, and he just improved on his strategies to walk away with the victory this time. That shows me they would be competitive fights even in Beterbiev's physical prime. I think people need to give more credit to Bivol's strategy.

 

Beterbiev looked even better this time as did Bivol. Bivol was just more prepared and had a bit more in the tank.

 

I’ll say this. Beterbiev still knocks out 99% of other 175 fighters NOT named Bivol. That’s how good and evenly matched these guys are.