I don't care about the personal lives of fighters so unless they have been proven to have something egregious such as drink driving (and killing someone), i don't care what they do in their personal lives. I also do not generally believe accusations against male celebrities given the enormous financial incentive to lie about things like that. From a purely boxing perspective, i like Bivol's relatively clean style to Beterbiev's brute and sometimes dirty tactics of hitting guys in the back of the head, using over the top wrestling tactics that a decent ref wouldn't allow etc. I despise fighters who don't fight clean so i am hoping for a Bivol decision. However, i don't see it. I give Bivol about a 20% chance which is not nothing obviously. But i think Artur is the overwhelming favourite. I highly doubt Beterbiev's injury will negatively effect him. We know he has been injured before and every time, he comes back better than ever. In his fight vs Callum Smith, he was fighting like a 28 year old rather than a 39 year old. Bivol has more power than his ko record suggests but i don't think he is a harder hitter than Gvosdyk. Not even as hard. And the Ukranian could not keep a rampaging Beterbiev off him. Bivol also took a lot of semi clean or clean shots vs Canelo. If Beterbiev can connect with the same percentage, its game over. I think it will be competitive early but Beterbiev's clubbing power will be too much and he will win a late stoppage. Now if Bivol does do the impossible, i hope people don't discredit him. Ultimately, can Bivol keep this in the centre of the ring and keep the rampaging Russian off him? Does he hit hard enough to deter Artur? Can he withstand Beterbiev's freakish strength in clinches? What happens when he gets cornered against the ropes? Will he stand there or will he fight his way out of it?
beve is getting outboxed, imo. i dont think he will be able to catch bivol enough early, to diminish him in the late rds. beve has been able to cut the ring pretty easily on his previous opponents, i dont see that being the case this time. i think bivol will control the distance and do just enough to bank rds with minimal exposure. but we will see, beve is still a beast so he may find a way to maul him..
Theoretically, given Bivol's huge youth advantage what with him being 33 and still in his prime and Beterbiev being 39 and turning 40 in January and well past his physical prime, his speed of hand and foot advantage, and his Eurasian super power quick reflexes and laser accuracy should be too much for an aged Beterbiev. However, Beterbiev can box very effectively himself, has very good timing to compensate for the speed disadvantage, has an amazing engine and can apply that relentless pressure from round 1 to round 12 without noticeable let up, has a high ring IQ, and is ridiculously strong and powerful. Joe Smith had Bivol in big trouble from a solitary clump to the side of the mind which landed right on the bell and Bivol walked back to his corner on unsteady legs with his mind all discombobulatized albeit hiding the extent of his discombobulatization behind a nice poker face. Lyndon Arthur appeared to hurt Bivol with a body shot but perhaps he was playing possum. Either way, name me one fighter in the sport who hits harder with side of the mind clumps or whose body shots sound as hefty as Beterbiev's do? Beterbiev is the only champion in the sport who sports a KO 100% and the fact he still does so whilst also being a unified three belt champion makes that even more impressive Now also factor in he didn't even turn pro until he was 28.5 y/o and like at least 11 of his opponents had never been legitimately stopped before, 8 of which have still only been legitimately stopped by him When I say legitimately I don't include stoppages due to cuts or injuries
I think Bivol is tough enough to weather the storm to a decision with. It'll certainly have it's moments though.
Im a fan of fighters rather than boxers so even though I like Bivol my choice is Beterbiev. I wish he was a little cleaner but I love that he comes for destruction from the start to the end! Hope AB wins by violent KO late in the fight.
Great post. As for me, I like Beterbiev but I fear that this may be the time for Bivol to snatch his zero and end the rampage. My main reason is age and injury. Artur is at the point where boxers visibly slow down and lose their edge. Moreover getting injured will not help at all. Bivol is exactly the sort of speedy, light footed high workrate boxer that can turn a guy old overnight. I agree that Bivol hits harder than it seems but he's not on the same level as Gvozdyk. The Nail could really smash. I think that is to Bivol's benefit in this case, as odd as it may sound. Gvozdyk's power led him to try and hurt Beterbiev. That gave Beterbiev chances to catch up to him and exchange. I believe that Bivol will not be under the same delusion and will try to stay at range as much as possible. I think that Bivol has the engine to outwork Beterbiev and the chin to take any shots that slip through his otherwise superlative defence. Beterbiev will need to close off his most elusive opponent at his oldest and slowest age. I have a sinking feeling about this, even though Artur has proved in the past that he can make a ring small. Stylewise Bivol's straight punching suits his elusive style. Beterbiev likes short triphammer hooks which will be useless for as long as Bivol stays at large. Beterbiev will need to invest heavily in the body if he wants to slow Bivol down and catch up to him later. Both these guys are special fighters, but one is ancient in boxing terms. Gotta favour the younger guy in this one. I'd say 60-40 to Bivol on points.
I’ve always had Beterbiev as a wide favourite based on styles. But now with the injury I’m not sure how the fight will go
Bivol has enough to win a hard-fought victory over Beterbiev, the reason for that is Beterbiev's age, which could betray him in such an important fight because it is a fight in which Beterbiev will have to box at a higher pace...
Cannot wait for this one. This is the ultimate fight. the classic boxer puncher,Now rying to predict the outcome Bivol & the KO Artist, Beterbiev.I just hope this is a good clean fight with no jiggery pokery & no corrupt officiating. After all this fight isn't in Vegas is it so it has the chance to be just that, a fair fight. Now to try to predict the outcome,A Bivol Decision win or a Beterbiev Devastating KO ???. I need more time but will say like I always do !! May The Best Man Win !!