Comments Thread For: DeGuardia: Beterbiev Was Hitting To The Back Of The Head; We Were Concerned About That

[shakedaddy]

There is some truth in this, and I recall thinking about the Gvozdyk fight which ended with the man nearly dying. But, it's also on the other fighter - if you don't wanna get hit in the back of the head, don't bend down to the right, on the inside, with your head totally exposed and a guy trying to knock you the F out, just like what happened in that last Boots fight. And all said, Joe Smith looked absolutely AWFUL, just seemed to have no real gameplan and IMO could've easily survived longer had he tried tying up, and or moving a little and sticking his jab,.and maybe setting some kind of trap to get a shot in, vs. coming out like a wild amateur. He got overwhelmed and just tried pulling a Hatton vs. Pacquiao, and he got the same treatment. I think Joe should try to hire Teddy Atlas and take two tuneups in quick succession, just to be able to practice and apply some of the new concepts and then make one last run at a title. Those caveman looping right hands with no defense behind them don't work when you're fighting a sharp counterpunchers.

[sidefx996]

Poor excuse and I was hoping Smith won

Good grief it's not an excuse it's most likely an excerpt from a longer dialogue. And not that it would've made a difference but you can't deny some of the punches were questionable. He's only stating facts. I've had a horrendous concussion from getting hit in the back of the head from a damn kickball I can't imagine what's possible from actually getting punched there by someone who hits as hard as Artur does.

[_Rexy_]

Yeah everyone bitched the first KD was back of the head until they saw the slow mo and it was above the ear.

[Square circle]

No question Beterbiev is a dirty fighter with his high and back of the head shots. He also pushed Callum Johnson through the ropes. As his opponent, you need to be aware of that and get dirty also. Then you have that heavy back acne that’s PED suspect. Just saying

[Basco]

No question Beterbiev is a dirty fighter with his high and back of the head shots. He also pushed Callum Johnson through the ropes. As his opponent, you need to be aware of that and get dirty also. Then you have that heavy back acne that’s PED suspect. Just saying

Are there any pictures of this back acne?

[SplitSecond]

Never got the impression Artur was aiming for the back of the head. Spence on the other hand. Blatant low-blows and rabbit punches.

[Drigo]

No need for excuse. Smith was already certified journeyman getting KO in last 2 fights. Better retire....

[The Akbar One]

In Beterbiev's defense there have been a few stoppages lately caused by looping shots that land behind the ear towards the back of the head

[hennanra1000]

No question Beterbiev is a dirty fighter with his high and back of the head shots. He also pushed Callum Johnson through the ropes. As his opponent, you need to be aware of that and get dirty also. Then you have that heavy back acne that’s PED suspect. Just saying

Wow that's a lot of accusations. Maybe more credible had you not already written Beterbiev off in earlier post using Browne fight as a reference (where in fact Beterbiev was the victim of a headbutt and yet fought on) :-).

Truth is in the middle - I don't like some of what he does and can understand the argument - but if you look at some shots he has his eyes closed and in some cases Smith had lowered his head to punch so it was inevitable any reactive hook was going to land somewhere on his head. I think he just has that awkward hook that means he often catches people behind the jab or even with his forearm.

That said I hope Beterbiev takes the comments to heart and shows he can fight cleaner. But I do think just as you read intentions into his actions, one could read into yours ;-). I also think both sides play a role here as a fighter who leads with the head is going to get hit with rabbit punches as is someone who excessively hugs. I personally hate it however (Prichard Colon was really horrible case) but the ref should threaten DQ if parties don't heed the warning.

[SHO_RULEZ]

I know about fighters turning their head or ducking, and getting hit back there unintentionally. I gotta keep it real, that's not what I was seeing in the Beterbiev fight. What I saw was an intentional effort to throw looping/clubbing punches, to the back of the head. He would even rest his glove on Smith's neck after the blow . I lot of foreign fighters come over here..."undisciplined"...and tend to foul more, and I think Beterbiev is one them...