Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev will struggle tonight for the undisputed mild heavyweight championship on the Kingdom Enviornment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The struggle is seen because the boxer vs. the puncher, however it’s actually two boxer-punchers going at it to find out who the highest canine is within the 175-lb division.
WBA mild heavyweight champion Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) has the velocity, mobility and the youth benefit. Age may play an element on this struggle for the 39-year-old Beterbiev as a result of he’s coming off proper knee surgical procedure earlier this yr. But when he performs on the degree he did on January thirteenth in opposition to Callum Smith, Bivol will probably be in bother. Beterbiev didn’t look previous in that struggle.
Tonight’s Beterbiev-Bivol struggle will probably be proven stay on ESPN+ at 6 p.m ET/3 p.m. PT.
“I just like the Eddie Hearn vs. Artur Beterbiev rivalry. Hearn is aware of the sport, and he received individuals . He received beneath Beterbiev’s pores and skin somewhat bit, and he confirmed us some venom,” stated commentator Todd Grisham to High Rank Boxing.
“Has Eddie Hearn rattled him? Has he received beneath his pores and skin?” stated Dev Sahni of Queensberry Promotions.
Beterbiev didn’t look offended when he questioned Hearn about why he was speaking a lot about him in the course of the remaining press convention. He appeared extra irritated than something. Hearn does this sort of stuff usually, making an attempt to upset fighters who’re competing in opposition to his guys. He’s doing it to assist them, not solely to create curiosity from followers.
“I feel Beterbiev’s workforce has been bristling somewhat bit on the notion that is the boxer vs. the brawler,” stated journalist Chris Mannix. “We all know Bivol is a really gifted boxer, however Beterbiev’s workforce is correct. He’s an elite boxer in his personal proper. He’s a two-time Olympian. He has a complete bunch of novice medals.”
Followers see Beterbiev’s 20-0 report with 20 knockouts, they usually naturally assume that he’s a brawler, which he’s. Beterbiev can field at instances, however it’s a way to an finish. He does that to set his opponents up for giant energy photographs to knock them out.
“He’ll contact you. He’ll throw 4 and five-punch combos with regularity. There’s loads of boxing expertise inside Artur Beterbiev. On the similar time, I do suppose the 12 knockouts on Bivol’s resume are somewhat bit deceptive.
“I do suppose he has extra energy than these 12 knockouts counsel. Bivol is the kind of man that rises to the extent of his competitors.”
Bivol has good energy, however he hardly ever makes use of it as a result of his focus is at all times on throwing fast combos after which shifting away. He doesn’t set his toes to load up on his punches. In Bivol’s final struggle in opposition to Malik Zinad, he unleashed a flurry, touchdown 18 consecutive headshots to get a referee stoppage within the sixth spherical on June 1st. Bivol wanted to throw loads of punches to get the knockout.
“Each of those guys are two examples of Japanese European kinds the place you maximize your pure and your bodily skill,” stated coach Andy Lee about Bivol and Beterbiev. “What I’m taking a look at within the fighters is can Beterbiev drive him to return and retreat. Can he get him on the ropes? What can he do as soon as he will get him there?”
Bivol will retreat if Beterbiev comes ahead as a result of that’s how he at all times fights. Bivol tends to provide floor when pushed by highly effective punchers, as he doesn’t wish to get hit. What will probably be attention-grabbing to see is what Bivol will do when he runs out of actual property and is caught by Beterbiev. Will he struggle or maintain?
“With Bivol, I’m trying to see if he can maintain his fingers up. Can he punch and make Beterbiev miss after which counter off that?” stated Lee.
