If Beterbiev beats Bivol and Benavidez, will he be recognized as ATG?

That would depend on your definition of ATG, LHW is a deep division.

 

Seconded. I think he will be a H2H ATG whatever happens from here on out. He's been unstoppable thus far no matter the opponent.

But his resume is kinda short even though it is value-packed with bad dudes.

I'd argue beating Bivol is worth much more than beating Benavidez. Bivol has a fairly unique style with great speed that could pose problems even for great LHW champions. Benavidez is a stand out fighter too but he's got nothing that we haven't seen before.

 

Yes

 

Yes ATG. He will have become the first 4 belt champion of the division (even though Roy had 3 legit belts and 10 fake ones) and unbeaten if he does it without losing. He'd be in the history books.

 

In my opinion, hell yeah. I don’t see him beating Bivol but AB is a brute and anything is possible. I’ll miss him when he’s gone and at his age, that’s probably sooner than later. It’s too bad he didn’t have the career he could have had, given his talent. Probably the strongest guy to ever fight at his weight. Brutal puncher with a massive heart. I feel sorry for his opponents but Bivol gives him a boxing lesson and makes him look slow and old.

 

Assuming he he finished his career Smith, Bivol and Benavidez then yeah, he'd have to be up there.

Its unfortunate that he went pro so late, and had injuries. Also, his fighting his limited by not fighting during Ramadan.

Could have been a lot more.

 

Yes and I believe there are nobody, who ever was undisputed and had 100% KO on his record.

 

No.

 

No. He would need to be an American to be recognized as an ATG by the boxing media.

 

No, he doesn't have the depth in his record or in the quality of opponents. Very good fighter no doubt but the resume and it's length aren't there.

 

Yes. And when its by another 2 brutal KO's. He will pass the eye test aswell.

 

Benavidez is a non-factor. Guy has little to nothing attached to his name and is largely an overrated hype job until he starts getting quality names on the resume against guys of his own size. Plant is something of a start, but he needs more than that. Get Canelo on the resume, move up 175 and take down the top guys there. THEN we can start to say Benavidez's name has quality to boost Beterbiev to ATG status. As it stands now Beterbiev would dust him quicker than Joe Smith Jr and no one would care.

As far as Bivol....just beating him, no. However, I think if Beterbiev could beat him decisively as in he either dusts the guy or he proves that there is a gap between them then yes at that point he should be ATG because its clear as day no one outside of ATG status is going to get rid of Bivol that easily.

 

It feels like it's too late for Beterbiev. He's had such periods of inactivity even by modern standards and is already past prime. Could he even feasibly get Bivol and Benavidez in the ring with him within the next year+ ?

It would've been great to see if a prime Artur could get his bombs through Dmitry's skills and defenses. If they fight next year, you gotta say at that point in their prospective careers and how that affects their styles it favors Bivol.

I agree Beterb KOing Benavidez while perhaps exposing David as hype would be powerful impressive!

 

Beterbiev is a better boxer than Benavidez and has more power. It is possible.