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Now and then you see em... For example, James Toney, Bernard Hopkins... Throwback fighters, guys that fight in a manner where, and when, the average fighter had more skills that were used in the ring.
Beterbiev is not simply a pressure fighter, nor is he simply a big puncher. Despite having a low key approach, Beterbiev has evolved to a point where he systematically breaks down his man risking very little, maintaining defensive responsibility throughout, and always ready to turn it up when the end is near.
When Marciano ruled the roost, he was faced with a situation where, despite his opponents not being prime, many of them were elite boxers who could punch. Against all odds, Marciano, who to the untrained eye looked like Thomas Hobbs described life: "nasty, brutish and short," developed a way of hitting heavy handed, to break down, disrupt any attempt for the opponent to set for a big punch, and eventually to impose his will and win. Technically Beterbiev has a similar effect, but does he use the same technical aspects as Marciano?
Marciano did not really cut the ring down so much as fight off a dominant fight line... Liston, who fought in a totally different fashion, likewise, used a dominant line, as opposed to cutting the ring down (Manny P is a good modern example of this approach). Beterbiev, cuts the ring down very well. He tends to square off opponents using a jab that changes speed and doubles as a feint. Beterbiev uses the jab more, as compared to Marciano, who favored a jumping hook, or simply, controlling distance by smothering the opponent.
Both men were heavy handed, Beterbiev has very technically sound punching form... His head hardly moves, he is a study in economy of motion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jSK...ghtologyBoxing
Marciano punched with more weight forwards, both men liked to loop their shots... why not? hitting straight, increasing length/reach would hardly matter for either man, both of whom would never have the reach of most of their opponents. Where as Beterbiev squares up, Marciano would come in, chin on shoulder, somewhat profiled. This may be a reflection on the level of opposition each man faced. Marciano was up against some great boxers who could pick apart a squared up opponent. Beterbiev, never fought such capable boxers... even Bivol, who is better than Smith, is hardly a boxer at the level of someone like Moorer, or Charles. I am aware of the age difference here of the common opponents for both men, but my intention is not to compare competition.
IMO the real similarity is how both men systematically use heavy hands and pressure to break down an opponent. While one can never tell, it certainly appears that both men hit very hard... maybe even equally hard.
Beterbiev is not simply a pressure fighter, nor is he simply a big puncher. Despite having a low key approach, Beterbiev has evolved to a point where he systematically breaks down his man risking very little, maintaining defensive responsibility throughout, and always ready to turn it up when the end is near.
When Marciano ruled the roost, he was faced with a situation where, despite his opponents not being prime, many of them were elite boxers who could punch. Against all odds, Marciano, who to the untrained eye looked like Thomas Hobbs described life: "nasty, brutish and short," developed a way of hitting heavy handed, to break down, disrupt any attempt for the opponent to set for a big punch, and eventually to impose his will and win. Technically Beterbiev has a similar effect, but does he use the same technical aspects as Marciano?
Marciano did not really cut the ring down so much as fight off a dominant fight line... Liston, who fought in a totally different fashion, likewise, used a dominant line, as opposed to cutting the ring down (Manny P is a good modern example of this approach). Beterbiev, cuts the ring down very well. He tends to square off opponents using a jab that changes speed and doubles as a feint. Beterbiev uses the jab more, as compared to Marciano, who favored a jumping hook, or simply, controlling distance by smothering the opponent.
Both men were heavy handed, Beterbiev has very technically sound punching form... His head hardly moves, he is a study in economy of motion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jSK...ghtologyBoxing
Marciano punched with more weight forwards, both men liked to loop their shots... why not? hitting straight, increasing length/reach would hardly matter for either man, both of whom would never have the reach of most of their opponents. Where as Beterbiev squares up, Marciano would come in, chin on shoulder, somewhat profiled. This may be a reflection on the level of opposition each man faced. Marciano was up against some great boxers who could pick apart a squared up opponent. Beterbiev, never fought such capable boxers... even Bivol, who is better than Smith, is hardly a boxer at the level of someone like Moorer, or Charles. I am aware of the age difference here of the common opponents for both men, but my intention is not to compare competition.
IMO the real similarity is how both men systematically use heavy hands and pressure to break down an opponent. While one can never tell, it certainly appears that both men hit very hard... maybe even equally hard.
Ivich
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