If Beterbiev took Benavidez' place and fought Zurdo instead. How would the fight have gone? Zurdo is a similar size to Joe Smith Jr and when they both fought at CW (at a catch-weight) they both rehydrated to a similar size therefore - as tenuous as the link may be - you can use the Smith fight as a reference point of sorts. I believe the big stuff square Zurdo would have hit the canvas against Beterbiev much faster and harder than he did against Benavidez. It would have been a more aesthetically pleasing fight too IMO. Your opinions please
He fled 175 for two reason. Bivol and Beterbiev. Both guys beat him at 175 and at cruiser in my opinion. Bivol by schooling again and Beterbiev by KO.
He would have been absolutely hammered. He is a flabby cruiserweight and has no business being at cruiserweight.
I wonder how good beterbiev still is. He could be pretty aged by now. But prime for prime he is the best thing in light heavy maybe in this century
Zurdo eats a few right hands, gets loopy, retreats to the corner, and then Beterbiev unleashes everything including the sink at him. If Zurdo is lucky the ref jumps in to save him before he gets knocked out cold and sent to the hospital. Doesn't go past 4, IMHO. Zurdo too slow and just generally bad to keep Beterbiev off of him.
I still kinda resent Andre for not fighting one of them, Beterbiev or Bivol. I think he knew what it was
Exactly Even now, Beterbiev whitewashes Zurdo..it's crazy how they're just ignoring the shark that is still looming
The guy is an absolute freak and if it was possible for him to turn pro younger and avoid the injuries and contract dispute he'd be the light heavyweight GOAT.