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I think those fans here who contend that Bebertiev does not hit the back of the head, go the last minute of the fight on YouTube and watch at reduced speed. He clearly hits Smith on the back of the head. It is a bad habit of his. Several of his blows are also to the side of the head beyond the temple area. It is vulnerable part of the skull, and one is more likely to suffer a knockout from blows there. It is the one thing I dislike about AB.
That said, the man is a monster. The question is how was he beaten at the Amateur world championships and who beat him? (I contend Bivol will win, and I will unpack why). AB campaigned in 20011/2012 at BOTH light-heavy and heavyweight. [Wikipedia reference: At the 2011 World Championships he lost in quarterfinals to eventual winner Oleksandr Usyk by 13–17. At the 2012 Olympics he edged out Michael Hunter but lost again by 13–17 to Usyk. Both of these were in the heavyweight division.] So, he lost to none other than Usyk, twice. Usyk, as we know, is a consummate boxer, stick and move, herky-jerky style with some pop on his punches.
Bivol is more of an in out in straight lines and defensively responsible. The straight lines are potentially a problem for Bivol as Bebertiev can start timing you whereas Usyk's moving around in circles breaks up a fighter's rhythm. The fact that he campaigned at heavyweight too says he has the punching power (and ability to withstand heavyweight punches) to match. Still, I think Bivol as the thinking man's boxer will do what Usyk did twice, beat Bebertiev by neutralizing his power with effective foot movement, volume punching, defense and stamina. Bivol knows how to win rounds, and I think Bebertiev will be reduced to frustration as Bivol piles up the points and rounds.
AB will always be dangerous and if he catches Bivol cleanly it is lights out but that is always a possibility with all heavy-handed punchers. AB is a boxer-puncher which to my mind is the most dangerous type (like SRL,Hagler, Bud); they can stay with you and when necessary, switch up to hurt you if there is a defensive lapse so Bivol has to concentrate 100% in every round which he did, as he showed against Canelo.
That said, the man is a monster. The question is how was he beaten at the Amateur world championships and who beat him? (I contend Bivol will win, and I will unpack why). AB campaigned in 20011/2012 at BOTH light-heavy and heavyweight. [Wikipedia reference: At the 2011 World Championships he lost in quarterfinals to eventual winner Oleksandr Usyk by 13–17. At the 2012 Olympics he edged out Michael Hunter but lost again by 13–17 to Usyk. Both of these were in the heavyweight division.] So, he lost to none other than Usyk, twice. Usyk, as we know, is a consummate boxer, stick and move, herky-jerky style with some pop on his punches.
Bivol is more of an in out in straight lines and defensively responsible. The straight lines are potentially a problem for Bivol as Bebertiev can start timing you whereas Usyk's moving around in circles breaks up a fighter's rhythm. The fact that he campaigned at heavyweight too says he has the punching power (and ability to withstand heavyweight punches) to match. Still, I think Bivol as the thinking man's boxer will do what Usyk did twice, beat Bebertiev by neutralizing his power with effective foot movement, volume punching, defense and stamina. Bivol knows how to win rounds, and I think Bebertiev will be reduced to frustration as Bivol piles up the points and rounds.
AB will always be dangerous and if he catches Bivol cleanly it is lights out but that is always a possibility with all heavy-handed punchers. AB is a boxer-puncher which to my mind is the most dangerous type (like SRL,Hagler, Bud); they can stay with you and when necessary, switch up to hurt you if there is a defensive lapse so Bivol has to concentrate 100% in every round which he did, as he showed against Canelo.
b Murphington
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