Fandom really poisons your perspective. People saying that Bivol is somehow ducking Beterbiev now are totally insane.
I will give Beterbiev's fans something that Bivol's fans may not: Bivol could have fought Beterbiev before 2024. Was it a risk-reward calculation? Perhaps, and one gotta account for that Bivol was with DAZN and Beterbiev with Top Rank. If you look, there were talks of fighting each other five, six years ago, but both fighters had to deal with sanctioning bodies ordering title defenses. And then you have Bivol fighting Canelo, and DAZN got caught up in getting that money-making rematch.
i sincerely doubt any of these two fighters actually would actively duck each other, they are true warriors. What their managers do is a whole different matter, and they do view boxing as a business.
And you got guys like RJJ-94-02=GOAT saying bivol dropped the belt to duck bumavidez
I like both Biev and Bivol. Prefer Biev as he goes for the knockout and doesn't like to move backwards. Bivol is skilled but he is boring to watch. I've watched their second fight three times, once with no sound, and I believe Biev won or at the very best it was a draw. No doubt the Shiek had a say in getting his trilogy.
Regardless, as others have said, Bivol didn't want Biev in his prime (and it is hard to blame him) and he may have a legitimate back problem. That said, if it was that bad it seems he would have done it right after the second fight and not wait for months and months. He obviously is taking his sweet time and in no hurry to see Biev again anytime soon. I do feel like Biev will be alot more aggressive in a third fight and Bivol likely knows it. Biev can't dance around and chase Bivol again, he has to make it ugly to get the KO.
Biev is getting f'in old man. If he can stay uninjured I believe he wins the third fight....if it happens at all.
Artur looked lost in there from rounds 7 through 11
Bivol faster hands are a problem for Artur
the difference between them is Bivol has the clear win while Bivol received a questionable decision
who won fight 1 is split between the fans about 50 50
whereas an overwhelming majority of the viewership had Bivol winning the rematch
Artur looked lost in there from rounds 7 through 11
Bivol faster hands are a problem for Artur
the difference between them is Bivol has the clear win while Bivol received a questionable decision
who won fight 1 is split between the fans about 50 50
whereas an overwhelming majority of the viewership had Bivol winning the rematch
I had it 7-5 for both fighters apiece in each fight.
Beterbiev found a second wind (too late) in round 12 and I had Bivol winning the rematch 7-4 up until then. The last round is when Beterbiev cranked up the pressure and busted Bivol's eye. Bivol knows Beterbiev is always dangerous and why it's good to swerve him.
That said, while Bivol is taking his time stalling and recovering, Beterbiev needs to stay active and fighting regularly. Age is a killer after 38.
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