Former world champion in two categories, and now boxing expert on the American sports channel ESPN, Timothy Bradley had a conversation with local journalists after the end of the Beterbiev-Smith Jr. boxing evening.
In an interview, Bradley commented on a possible confrontation for the title of absolute light heavyweight champion (up to 79.4 kg) between the unified IBF / WBC / WBO champion Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) from Canada and the WBA Super title holder Russian Dmitry Bivol ( 20-0, 11 KOs).
Recall that on the eve of Beterbiev won the unification match against American Joe Smith Jr., stopping him in two rounds. Beterbiev – Smith. As per order — vRING report.
– A fighter like Bivol, with his boxing skills, can he suppress Beterbiev’s punching power?
– Of course. Bivol will be a very difficult fight. I haven’t watched the footage of the fights, but I can say this – I know that Beterbiev uses a high block all the time. Yes, he showed minor flaws, but having strong fundamentals, amateur baggage, also having a placed jab and footwork at his disposal – this will keep Beterbiev off balance. I tell you – will keep it unbalanced.
– Who do you see as the favorite?
Who do I see? I’ll say right off the bat that I’m for a boxer. If you look at history, if you study fights and look at two powerful punchers pressing fighters, well, when they meet each other, the one who is more technical wins. And secondly, such a fight will not last longer than 6 rounds. No way. Two percussion punchers. When George Foreman fought Ron Lyle, two punchers, he didn’t go 6 rounds. I saw McClellan and Julian Jackson – did not pass 6 rounds. The second fight also did not go 6 rounds. Just looking at history, I don’t think this fight will last longer than 6 rounds.
– So you will officially choose Bivol in a fight with Beterbiev?
– Yes. Because he is active, he is strong. Especially when he fought Canelo. The only problem is that Bivol should not stagnate near the ropes. If you get near the ropes against a puncher like that, he will destroy you, he will ground and pound you. Here is the only problem I see. If Bivol sticks to the center, uses his legs and upsets Beterbiev, catches him on the approaches, controls him from a distance, isolates him, makes him drop that high block to gain an advantage like he did with Canelo, then he can beat him. But this is a 50-50 fight. Puncher vs boxer-puncher. This is a great fight of styles. Stronghold against stronghold, or whatever you want to call it. I’m leaning a little in favor of Bivol right now without looking at the records.
Beterbiev vs. Bivol, Canelo, and Ward – Analysis by Timothy Bradley
