Dmitry Bivol says he watched unified gentle heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev’s final battle in opposition to Callum Smith on January thirteenth, noting that he’s nonetheless highly effective and combating at a excessive degree forward of their undisputed 175-lb championship conflict subsequent month on October twelfth in Riyadh.
Bivol’s Lengthy-Awaited Second
WBA gentle heavyweight champion Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) says he has been specializing in turning into the undisputed champion within the weight class for a very long time, and now the second is lastly right here. Bivol, 33, should present that he can do it in opposition to IBF, WBC, and WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) or quit if he turns into his twenty first knockout sufferer.
Many followers are siding with Bivol to win, believing he’s received the youth and abilities to defeat the 39-year-old Beterbiev. Bivol has the technical means to win, however will probably be arduous to keep away from the firefights that Beterbiev can be pressured on him for the 12 rounds.
Whereas Bivol appeared good in opposition to the tiny 5’8″ Canelo Alvarez and knocked out Malik Zinad, will probably be rather a lot more durable for him to do the identical factor in opposition to Beterbiev.
“It’s two totally different folks, two completely totally different fighters,” mentioned Dmitry Bivol to the Queensberry Boxing channel when requested how Artur Beterbiev in comparison with Canelo Alvarez. “Artur is larger and has a stronger punch and totally different approach.”
Adapting to Beterbiev’s Fashion
The best way Bivol fought Canelo of their contest on Could 7, 2022, wouldn’t work in opposition to Beterbiev as a result of he incessantly fought along with his again in opposition to the rope throughout the bout. Bivol was shelling up and blocking the punches thrown by Canelo, who was throwing winging hooks that he may see coming. Beterbiev can be rather a lot more durable to try this in opposition to as a result of he’ll be throwing combos and never hitting Bivol in between his pictures.
“You went to the ultimate cease in your profession on this weight class,” mentioned Bivol on what it will imply to him to be undisputed champion at 175. “He’s a terrific fighter, a very good puncher, and has good approach,” mentioned Bivol about Beterbiev.”
If Bivol wins, there’s much more for him to do in his profession. There can be a rematch with Beterbiev and probably a second battle with Canelo if he chooses to maneuver as much as 175 if provided sufficient cash. There would even be fights in opposition to David Benavidez and David Morrell, each of which now marketing campaign at 175.
Bivol would have a near-endless variety of fights out there to him if he’s victorious in opposition to Beterbiev. In fact, if Bivol loses to Beterbiev on October twelfth, he’ll have to determine the place to go. Does he take the rematch and danger a second defeat or transfer on to a few of the different attention-grabbing fights out there at gentle heavyweight?
“Each battle that I’ve, I see it as essentially the most troublesome problem for me,” mentioned Bivol. “It was a very good efficiency. He confirmed that he nonetheless has the ability, strain, and he’s confidence,” mentioned Bivol when requested about Beterbiev’s final battle in opposition to Callum Smith on January thirteenth, which he gained by a Seventh-round technical knockout on the Videotron Centre in Quebec Metropolis, Canada.
Beterbiev appeared excellent, destroying Callum Smith in seven rounds, knocking out a fighter who had by no means been stopped in his profession. Canelo had overwhelmed Smith by a large 12-round unanimous choice on December 19, 2020, however he had by no means harm him within the battle. Beterbiev destroyed Smith and took some massive pictures whereas doing it.
“We are going to see within the ring how will probably be,” mentioned Bivol, describing how he views Beterbiev’s energy. “It’s not private. He has what I need [IBF, WBC, and WBO 175-lb titles] and what I would like. I can say I imagine in my abilities. I’ll do every part to be undisputed, and I’m able to doing it.
