Shawn Porter feels Artur Beterbiev is too tired and sore from his fights to defeat the still-unbeaten Dmitry Bivol this Saturday in their undisputed light heavyweight rematch on October 12 in Riyadh.
Former welterweight champion Porter says the youth of Bivol, 33, (23-0, 12 KOs) also contributed to his favoring Beterbiev, 39, (20-0, 20 KOs) in 12 rounds. main event at the Kingdom Arena.
WBA 175-lb champion Bivol has made it a habit to avoid grueling fights as much as possible, which is why he has fewer fights than Beterbiev. The downside of that safety approach to his career is that Bivol is less popular than IBF, WBC, and WBO champion Beterbiev and has not been talked about as much.
“I can’t pick him yet, but if Bivol stands there and stays, it’s night, in Vienna,” trainer Joe Gallagher told Boxing News, picking Dmitry Bivol over Artur Beterbiev.
“I’m picking Beterbiev, but because I was in Vegas and I talked to the guy who broke him. He said, ‘Oh man, that guy. Breaking him for four rounds is like fighting 20 rounds. He’s like a monster,'” Regis Prograis said. “He saved him with Bivol. He was like, ‘ Beterbiev is a murderer, a complete monster.’ So, I would lean towards Beterbiev.”
Beterbiev’s strength makes him a nightmare for anyone to play against unless he takes it easy. He’s not the type to go easy on his sparring lessons because he doesn’t get anything out of them if that’s the case.
“I can’t see beyond Beterbiev, but Bivol’s quality is really good. He’s technically good,” said Paul Smith. “I’m just thinking about seeing Beterbiev up close a few times. I think I agree with Beterbiev. I think it will eventually come to him, but it’s not a foregone conclusion.”
“I think the one thing in Bivol’s favor is that Beterbiev has been injured and he’s coming off a big injury. That might play a little bit for Bivol,” said Otto Wallin.
“Bivol wins that battle. I think he has youth on his side,” said Shawn Porter. “Beterbiev was a Mack truck that rides on small trucks and other big trucks. Those types of collisions will catch up with you at some point.
The only fight where Beterbiev was punished was between Marcus Browne and Anthony Yarde. He took shots in both fights, especially against the heavier Browne, but he was still dressed for the knockout.
“The distance that Bivol has is just different than the distance that Beterbiev has. I think Bivol wins. We will see. Bivol can be touched, but is Beterbiev fast enough?”
The mileage that Porter is talking about may not prevent Beterbiev from winning the fight because his power is as lethal as it would be if he had less mileage, and he hasn’t shown any problems with his chin. If Bivol is going to take advantage of Beterbiev’s age and wearing a ring, he will need to contend with him. Doing so will be dangerous.
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