Would Prefer Beterbiev To Not Take The Rematch

Beterbiev could do with a long rest. Turki only put this fight on because Ramadan is next week otherwise it could have been pushed to May or June.

Imagine fighting in Saudi in the June....no thanks

 

Beterbiev could benefit from a fight in between. May against Benavidez or something in the summer.

 

Benavidez engine might be too much for Beterbiev now. Also idk if Benavidez wants that fight, he’d be fighting a monster but a monster coming off a loss. He would much rather fight Bivol.

 

Yes, Bivol threw more punches this time, but it was not more than his usual. Bivol typically throws around 650 punches per fight - according to compubox. Against Alvarez he managed 701.
However in the first Beterbiev fight he only threw 423 punches. This time in the rematch he managed 547, which is still less than his average.
So it´s not that Bivol decided to throw more punches this time, he made the adjustments which lead to an increased workrate. Beterbiev managed to shut down Bivol´s workrate in the first fight.

 

Huh?! What were you watching?

Bivol got back into the fight because Artur is 40 years old (10 frigging years older) and gassed his ass out setting the pace he did with his knees both on the fritz. It's also why AB always starts slow in his other fights and gears up the pressure rd by rd. Some may say it was a fix for a 3rd fight down the line.... Nothing in boxing surprises with the sheer amount of scammers in the sport for quick bucks (that last a lifetime).

Bivol looked in tremendous shape though and his lateral movement clearly was the difference - so in that sense he gassed Artur out lol. Both guys looked physically stronger and leaner than last time out. Credit to Bivol though he fought his way back in and he did set a good pace, beautiful footwork and lovely combos.

I dunno about anyone else but while I thoroughly appreciate the exquisite technical skills on display, neither fight blew me away or had that wow factor, for me. Maybe the lack of hype and build-up/marketing, maybe both are just too formidable to allow cleaner punches and big drama show.

 

I want to see him against Benavidez that would be an amazing fight.

 

Hellraiser II: Hellbound

 

Beterbiev should jump at benavidez. Very winnable fight for him IMO

 

I think you might be selling Beterbiev’s chances a little short man. He had Bivol on the retreat several times and Artur definitely was the one bringing it in that 12th. Opened up that nasty cut too. I do agree Artur isn’t what he was at 32-33 but he’s not ‘washed’ or that far past his best.

That fight was so close they really should just do a 3rd fight in May or June. I think it would be the best one yet. Credit to Bivol though he hung in there after some nasty right hands.

 

I think prime for prime Beterbiev is a notch above. Shame that he's getting his biggest exposure fights at 39 & 40...I agree that there'd be no shame in calling it at 1-1 with a formidable opponent like Bivol. Helluva career, really.

 

That’s to Beterbiev’s benefit. It’s like 40 year old Pacquiao said, he can still train as he did as a young man, but he needs more recovery time. Once a year is something Beterbiev is accustomed to and that’s about as often as most old fighter’s fight, plenty of time to juice up too.

Another quick turnaround and Bivol might start really hurting him, with his old body broken down and the constant concentrated drug testing.