Beterbiev Backed To Overpower Bivol – ‘I Don’t See Bivol Surviving’
Artur Beterbiev will be too much for Dmitry Bivol when they face off in their Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship fight on October 12.
That is according to Blair Cobbs. The two undefeated fighters go head to head with contrasting styles. Beterbiev has a 100 percent KO rate with 20 wins, making him one of the most destructive punchers in the division. His last fight was a stoppage win over Callum Smith in January to set up the undisputed shot, as he holds the WBO, WBC and IBF belts.
Bivol is an undefeated WBA Light Heavyweight Champion. He is 23-0 with 12 KOs. He was meant to fight Beterbiev in June. However, Beterbiev suffered a knee injury, which meant Malik Zinad stepped in. Bivol won the fight with ease as he stopped his opponent in round six. Several intriguing factors could impact this fight.
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol
Beterbiev is 39 years old, raising question marks over whether he is the same fighter. He is also more injury-prone, having been injured before he faced Smith, which was then repeated against Bivol. Beterbiev has shown that he has been hit more, as Anthony Yarde proved before getting stopped.
Bivol has massive wins under his name, including Canelo Alvarez and Zurdo Ramirez. Bivol’s ability to box and control his range could prove crucial. But unlike Bivol, he does not have the one-punch knockout power to stop his opponents.
“Artur Beterbiev has unbelievable strength and power. I don’t know how Bivol is going to be able to fight somebody like that. That back and forth, bouncing up and down and that moving that he uses, I don’t know if that works against somebody that throws a lot of powerful arm punches. He doesn’t have to have a rhythm to whip your backside,” Cobbs said
Who Wins?
Nevertheless, those were some of the sentiments being directed at Bivol when he faced Canelo. Bivol could use his footwork to get in and out of range. When he had the chance to do so, he backed up Canelo and hurt him with combinations while Alvarez was on the ropes. Bivol’s jab was also key, allowing him to keep Canelo on the outside and prevent him from getting inside.
Beterbiev will attempt to close the gap to land on the body and then the head to stop Bivol. Bivol is a lot younger at 33 and in the prime of his career. That could impact things in the fight if it goes the distance. Beterbiev has not tasted the final bell with his opponents, as he has stopped all of them. Cobbs merely saw that as a warning sign for Bivol, as the fight may not last the distance.
“I don’t see Bivol being able to survive something like that, but it will be very interesting. Bivol could land too many punches on Beterbiev, mess around, and start piling on points. That’s going to be a very exciting fight. It’s going to be worth looking at. I can’t wait to see that one,” Blair stated
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