Surprised Bivol only has a 50% KO ratio

[HisExcellency]

I know there are several different factors that make somebody a 'puncher' such as God-given power, technique, size, fighting style etc, however, it's still pretty surprising to me that somebody with Bivol's size, technique and given how much he moves the heavy bag (without even trying) below only has a career KO ratio of 50%. Obviously he's a slick master boxer as opposed to a pressure fighter like Beterbiev but I still would've expected it to be HIGHER...

https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/703924

[JakeTheBoxer]

3 things.

1. he is not really strong 175 guy
2. he prefers fighting smart and defensive
3. his opponents usually fight to survive and are just happy going 12 rounds

Watch his usual fights, like Salamov, Lynon Arthur, Ramirez. I mean, even huge Ramirez was happy losing wide decision once he felt Bivol`s combos that are not really very strong but sharp enough to keep his opponent on distance.

Bivol stopped that Zinad guy probably because he fought careless, he was tired of going distance going distance over and over again and he just went through Zinad`s punches and stopped the guy.

Beterbiev on the other side is a big puncher yes, but he accumulates punches to do a damage and his opponents usually wanted to stop him at some point and that was a downfall for them.

Hot Rod, Smith jr., Yarde, Browne, Callum Smith, Callum Johnson..They didn`t even try to win on points, because their only chance was to push for a KO.

That was why Bivol - Beterbiev was so interesting. It was the first time when Beterbiev fought somebody that actually came to win on points and not just try his best shot for a KO like others.

Watching Bivol - Beterbiev fights you will also notice that Beterbiev didn`t really push it hard for a KO for 24 rounds like some casuals here wanted him to, because he understood how good Bivol was. Joe Smith jr. actauly rocked Bivol much better than Beterbiev did.

[moochi]

He's always fighting top opponents as well. he ain't fighting cab drivers or tomato cans

[HisExcellency]

3 things.

1. he is not really strong 175 guy
2. he prefers fighting smart and defensive
3. his opponents usually fight to survive and are just happy going 12 rounds

Watch his usual fights, like Salamov, Lynon Arthur, Ramirez. I mean, even huge Ramirez was happy losing wide decision once he felt Bivol`s combos that are not really very strong but sharp enough to keep his opponent on distance.

Bivol stopped that Zinad guy probably because he fought careless, he was tired of going distance going distance over and over again and he just went through Zinad`s punches and stopped the guy.

Beterbiev on the other side is a big puncher yes, but he accumulates punches to do a damage and his opponents usually wanted to stop him at some point and that was a downfall for them.

Hot Rod, Smith jr., Yarde, Browne, Callum Smith, Callum Johnson..They didn`t even try to win on points, because their only chance was to push for a KO.

That was why Bivol - Beterbiev was so interesting. It was the first time when Beterbiev fought somebody that actually came to win on points and not just try his best shot for a KO like others.

Watching Bivol - Beterbiev fights you will also notice that Beterbiev didn`t really push it hard for a KO for 24 rounds like some casuals here wanted him to, because he understood how good Bivol was. Joe Smith jr. actauly rocked Bivol much better than Beterbiev did.

You raise some good points...I believe that Bivol's 'hit & move' style (i.e. REAL boxing) is the main reason why his KO ratio isn't that great. After all, he's well known for his elusive style and footwork (which is probably the best in the business) but I still would've expected more knockouts given his size plus the fact that he puts his WHOLE body into it when he does land. Also, I think his power is a little underrated because he had Beterbiev troubled several times plus many of his opponents are happy just to go the distance instead of trying to get him out of there as you already pointed out.

As for Beterbiev, yes he seems to overwhelm his opponents with activity and wear them down as opposed to possessing one punch KO power. However, he definitely came on strong after round 3 and was trying to get Bivol out of there but ended up wearing himself out which allowed Bivol back into the fight.

[HisExcellency]

He's always fighting top opponents as well. he ain't fighting cab drivers or tomato cans

True but Beterbiev has also fought top opponents and had a 100% KO ratio before facing Bivol. Also, bar Beterbiev, Canelo & Ramirez, pretty much everybody else he's faced has either been dropped or stopped.

[IceTrayDaGang]

bivol is not a power puncher.

[SouthpawRight]

bivol is not a power puncher.

for the same reason as Mayweather

hand problems

they don’t sit down on their shots

Bivol’s greatest display of power was when he sat down on the 3 rights that stopped Sullivan in the 12th round:

overhand
cross
straight

[IceTrayDaGang]

for the same reason as Mayweather

hand problems

they don’t sit down on their shots

Bivol’s greatest display of power was when he sat down on the 3 rights that stopped Sullivan in the 12th round:

overhand
cross
straight

does bivol really have hand issues?? bivol just looks like he's not the power puncher type. he's more like a boxer who rely on skills instead of power.

[HisExcellency]

for the same reason as Mayweather

hand problems

they don’t sit down on their shots

Bivol’s greatest display of power was when he sat down on the 3 rights that stopped Sullivan in the 12th round:

overhand
cross
straight

That’s true but Bivol also throws his whole body behind every punch which most boxers don’t do.

PS: Welcome back. Have you settled your beef with your arch nemesis’T-Kitty’?

[SouthpawRight]

does bivol really have hand issues?? bivol just looks like he's not the power puncher type. he's more like a boxer who rely on skills instead of power.

his ex-wife snitched going into fight 1

All his hands have been operated on, not just once

That’s true but Bivol also throws his whole body behind every punch which most boxers don’t do.

PS: Welcome back. Have you settled your beef with your arch nemesis’T-Kitty’?

you’ll see in round 12 of the Sullivan fight Bivol put more behind those 3 rights than he does today

Didn’t have to. Mula got ptsd from his hero Artur getting beat by Bivol again but clearly this time