Bivol`s legs and a a great punching timing will be the key

[JakeTheBoxer]

I just don`t see Beterbiev winning this. Unlike his usual opponents, Bivol will not stand there trying to trade single punches. Bivol is nothing like Gvozdyk. Gvozdyk has always had slow legs.

More am I thinking, more I see Bivol winning clearly and easily. Beterbiev will be hitting the air mostly. If he becomes too brave, he gests countered and dropped or stopped.

[SouthpawRight]

I’ll take jab defense timing and speed over power pressure mauling

Bivol has too many effective counters for the jab

With Beter’s jab weakened he’ll lunge in and eat counters for it

Biv does not necessarily need to HURT Beter to beat him

Beter has been reset multiple timez in the past with combos

Biv’s 3 punch combos should get the job done

Biv must be careful whenever inside. On the inside Bivol is lacking he merely high guards and times his counter left hook

Bivol 9-3 Beter with Bivol knocking him down en route to victory

Fight results from most likely to least:

Bivol by UD
Bivol by stoppage
Beter by decision
Beter by ko

[SouthpawRight]

Bivol was a knockout puncher until after the Sullivan Barrera fight

where Bivol had 3 head clashes that resulted in a cut over an eye and a big bump on the forehead

following that fight Bivol would seldom sit down on his shots at midrange to HURT opponents

Bivol went from a boxer-puncher to a boxer-counterstriker like Floyd

if push comes to shove, Bivol has enough power to hurt Beter

Beter has been put on his azz by a straight right hand down the middle in the past

Bivol’s best power shot is his straight right

[SouthpawRight]

Good for Biv if this looks like Floyd Maidana 2

long night for him if it’s more like the 1st fight

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Bivol will have do a lot things differently. He’s going to have to move a lot more than usual and he won’t be able to rely on that high guard either like he usually does to block punches.

I favour Beterbiev by stoppage, his age and injuries is a concern but I still think he looked as good as ever last time out. I just don’t think Bivol has the strength to keep Beterbiev off or the reflexes to avoid his shots when he inevitably gets cornered. People really underestimate Artur’s footwork, he knows how to make that ring feel really small- on that subject: The size of the ring will be interesting too. Could definitely be a factor.

Regardless of who wins though, I can’t wait for this one, it’s 1 vs 2 for all the marbles, exactly what we want to see as fans.

[LarryMerchant'sBottle]

Good arguments from the 3 of you and as RJJ-94 pointed out, "exactly what we want to see as fans".

[MONGOOSE66]

I just don`t see Beterbiev winning this. Unlike his usual opponents, Bivol will not stand there trying to trade single punches. Bivol is nothing like Gvozdyk. Gvozdyk has always had slow legs.

More am I thinking, more I see Bivol winning clearly and easily. Beterbiev will be hitting the air mostly. If he becomes too brave, he gests countered and dropped or stopped.

Bivol is a great fighter but he doesn't have great punching power. His legs are great though. He beats people with a faster pace than they want to work. Hes a very good at boxing correctly. Hes also in fantastic shape ALWAYS.

If Beterbievs legs are 100%. Bivol will get knocked out. If not, Bivol wins a 12 round decision.

[SouthpawRight]

Bivol will have do a lot things differently. He’s going to have to move a lot more than usual and he won’t be able to rely on that high guard either like he usually does to block punches.

I favour Beterbiev by stoppage, his age and injuries is a concern but I still think he looked as good as ever last time out. I just don’t think Bivol has the strength to keep Beterbiev off or the reflexes to avoid his shots when he inevitably gets cornered. People really underestimate Artur’s footwork, he knows how to make that ring feel really small- on that subject: The size of the ring will be interesting too. Could definitely be a factor.

Regardless of who wins though, I can’t wait for this one, it’s 1 vs 2 for all the marbles, exactly what we want to see as fans.

I’m taking the contrarian position

I see Bivol LACK of lateral movement helping him

Bivol mastery of LINEAR movement will put him in position to nail Beter with shots down the middle whether they be straights or uppers

Beter head be centered when reaching/lunging in

Bivol does static high guard when they get him inside. His offense is lacking on the inside

[SouthpawRight]

Bivol is a great fighter but he doesn't have great punching power. His legs are great though. He beats people with a faster pace than they want to work. Hes a very good at boxing correctly. Hes also in fantastic shape ALWAYS.

If Beterbievs legs are 100%. Bivol will get knocked out. If not, Bivol wins a 12 round decision.

the big concerns are what will Bivol do if the fight goes inside

Bivol does not use the clinch as a spoiling technique. Only clinches when he has to because hurt

His offense on the inside is limited

Light heavies are big men. He hits hard enough to keep resetting Beter

let pray for Beter knee.

Don’t need him to show up with a knee, lose, and have people saying if he was 5 years younger he would have kicked Biv’s a$$

[SouthpawRight]

Bivol has the straighter right hand whereas Beter prefers to overhand opponents