Bivol has good technique but I think Beterbiev punches very hard and will hurt Bivol.
Smith jr. punches hard as well. Bivol is more experienced in better competition.
If you look at Bivol's last few opponents you see that he's thoroughly dominated them, including Joe Smith barely losing more then 2 rounds. But the problem is once he gets in gear he stays in that gear until the end of the fight and Beterbiev is good enough and strong enough to take him out of that gear and Beterbiev is not a guy you want to fall out of gear against.
From what I’ve seen. Bivol destroys Beterbiev. Cool fight. Arum has been saying it’s supposed to happen after Beterbiev mandatory fight. Shame it got postponed. Can’t wait.
I give a slight edge to Beterbiev although Bivol is great. Beterbiev just looks so damn unbeatable now. His relentless attack, hgh work rate and short range two handed power has taken him to 14 strait KOs Bivol is 5 or 6 years younger so he will still be fighting at the highest level after Beterbiev has retired.
Beterbiev has been dropped twice, once to pillow-fisted Callum Johnson, I see Beterbiev getting reckless & getting his ***** sparked early on. Say what you want about Bivol, but he can finish. I have Bivol in under 7 rounds.
On of two things happens in my opinion.
First scenario. Bivol boxes well but does not do much beyond jab and move to keep Beterbiev tame. As time goes on Beterbiev starts to wear Bivol down for a points or stoppage win.
Second scenario. Bivol keeps Beterbiev at bay until Beterbiev begins to start getting to Bivol more often getting closer and closer. Bivol realizes he has to turn it up and boxes the fight of his life trying to hit Beterbiev with everything he has for a stoppage win in the late rounds.
I am leaning more towards Bivol securing a shocking stoppage win. Beterbiev has one gear which means to beat him you likely are going to have to stop him or be to play keep away. I believe Bivol has more to his arsenal than we have seen just that no one has pushed him to having to fight aggressive looking for the knockout.