Beterbiev will stop Bivol

[elfag]

Some counter points. In his last signature fights, Beterbiev just walks his prey down but doesn't open up until they're on the ropes. Vs Smith, he threw zero punches on the back foot. Smith walked his own fool butt to the ropes and tried to play rope-a-dope and got clobbered, while Bivol is likely the hardest guy in the sport to walk down. If Beterbiev can't get him on the ropes, it could be a long night.

Second, Bivol has shown that he will push the aggressive fighters back when they want to rest, even when they're bigger guys, and that he can go 12 at the same high pace for fight after fight. Beterbiev maintains his pace because he takes rests while the opponents put themselves where he wants them. Bivol doesn't let anyone do that. So Beterbiev's got to be able to fight above his preferred pace and at Bivol's pace long enough to finish him. That's why I think it's very possible for him to look old in this fight, even though I think he'd be right back to normal vs just about anyone else.

My x factors are what effect that clubbing right behind the ear will have on Bivol, and who establishes the jab first. I think Bivol by clear decision effectively, but close on the cards, is the most likely outcome, followed by Beterbiev smashing him in 10 if he can't actually keep off the ropes vs Beterbiev. Could be that Beterbiev's actually got even more skill at walking people down than I saw in his last fights because he didn't NEED that skill in those fights. Either way, one of them is going to have a long day at the office on October 12.

I could see that coming back to bite him if bivol decided to press beterbiev when he thinks hes tired. beterbiev woudl love for bivol to come to him and not have to chase him down. i recognize that bivol has to have some kind of strategy though, that is a possible one. he might try to stay planted the opening round to get some kind of mental edge and show he cant be pushed around

[crimsonfalcon07]

I could see that coming back to bite him if bivol decided to press beterbiev when he thinks hes tired. beterbiev woudl love for bivol to come to him and not have to chase him down. i recognize that bivol has to have some kind of strategy though, that is a possible one. he might try to stay planted the opening round to get some kind of mental edge and show he cant be pushed around

That would IMO be a horrible strategy that would work out as well as it did for Sunny Edwards vs Bam Rodriguez. He just needs to fight his normal fight. It will either be good enough, or it won't. I hope they each bring their A game.

I do think that this is one of the best fights in boxing because the stylistic elements in each one's game could lead to the other one looking overhyped or washed. Beterbiev is a momentum fighter from what I've seen. He breaks you down round by round until the inevitable TKO. My favorite fight of his might be the Marcus Browne fight. Reminded me of Wolverine. Gets that cut and it's like "you went and made him mad" and he just turned it up and destroyed Browne, who was giving a good account of himself until then. But Bivol is an endurance fighter who also has that pressure of always being in your face. I've never seen him throw fewer than 30 punches in a round, and often he's throwing more than 80. It's such a good matchup. I hope we get a FOTY candidate.

[SouthpawRight]

I dont think it will be enough, Beter is not discouraged by arm punches. 20 men havent been able to keep him at distance. I have seen Bivol rocked by a gassed joe smith who couldnt finish him.

Joe Smith changed levels to catch Biv with that overhand in round 4 and then another overhand in round 10

Bet likes to be upright

Bet has been reset by combos in the past by the other smith

Biv can win without wobbling Bet or putting him on his ass

[BodyBagz]

Bivol would be the best opponent that Beterbiev has ever faced but we shall see.

I do slightly favor Beterbiev however. Bivol at some point is going to have to fight Arthur off of hm which will be very interesting.

This could be, to a much lesser degree, Foreman vs Ali.
A good boxer can eliminate the power of a good puncher.
May did it all the time (NOT saying Biv is on his level, boxing wise)