Call him Mr. Perfect. With a 20-0 record, and all 20 of those victories coming by knockout, Artur Beterbiev strikes fear into his opponents’ hearts, forcing those who share the ring with him to confront a haunting question: Is his power real and can I withstand it?
Each punch Beterbiev throws should be considered a potential KO blow. He is capable of physically and mentally dismantling his foes, leaving them bloodied, battered and disoriented.
But Beterbiev, the WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion who’s facing WBA titlist Dmitry Bivol on Saturday for the undisputed championship (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET), is more than just a puncher; he is also a relentless technical predator with a thirst for destruction. Beterbiev pairs his strength and punching power with an endless supply of will.
And Bivol is not just a fleet-footed boxer; he is a cerebral tactician, a true wizard in the ring and a technical master who continues to elevate above the competition. I view him as a fencing master, primarily moving smoothly in and out of range with ease and showing a rare blend of precision, strength and strategic brilliance.
Let’s also consider that Beterbiev returning from a knee injury is a concern. Former middleweight champion Sergio Martinez and former junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman suffered similar injuries that limited their mobility.
Bivol and Beterbiev primarily rely on a high guard for defense, which exposes their bodies. This could offer opportunities to hurt and weaken each of them. It will be interesting to see who uses this strategy thoroughly, hoping to wear down the other.
Let’s look at the Beterbiev-Bivol matchup — who has the advantage and how the fight could play out.
Understanding Beterbiev’s game
Beterbiev can read his opponents’ initial movements, intercepting their position and offense, setting traps for counters. He unbalances fleet-footed boxers, like he did against Oleksandr Gvozdyk in 2019 and difficult southpaw Marcus Browne in 2021, and he destroyed a knockout artist in Joe Smith Jr. in 2022. Beterbiev throws short, compact, powerful punches, zapping his opponents’ energy and breaking their will to fight. When he lands a punch, it sounds like a truck hitting a wall. This overwhelming force can momentarily paralyze opponents, frozen in time, as they react to the sheer force of his assault.
Each fight is a brutal testament to his brilliance and dominance, as he methodically decimates any boxing style. The tools of his trade consist of weakside attacks, changing his point of offense and forcing opponents toward his left. These maneuvers are done for several reasons, among them that most orthodox fighters have difficulty fighting while moving right. Beterbiev also implements forward shifts to create a new angle of attack, positioning himself in the southpaw stance, undermining his opposition’s positioning and defensive mechanics.
Beterbiev has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his career, often recovering to win by KO despite suffering severe cuts and having been knocked down. That shows his strength and experience in high-pressure situations.
Let me include his looping right-hand setup with lateral movement toward his right to springboard his favorite punch, the right hand. Beterbiev is a master of cutting off the ring and throwing punches where his opponents are heading. Although skills can develop over time, raw strength and power speak for themselves. Beterbiev is more than just excellent. He’s what I consider uniquely special.
Understanding Bivol’s game
Bivol weakens boxers of every style, from punchers and technicians to swarmers and boxer-punchers, tactically wearing them down. Bivol puts forth a style that consists of pendulum footwork (back and forth movement), creating sharp lines in the canvas with precision while evading punches by mere centimeters. He advances purposefully, claiming the center of the ring behind a stiff jab mixed with probes and level changes. He sets pressure by drawing an imaginary line and daring opponents to cross it.
Bivol may not have the explosive power of other light heavyweights, but he operates with the finesse of a bomb squad technician, expertly diffusing threats before they can detonate. Bivol’s defense and footwork are top-notch, and his offensive arsenal is far more dynamic and diverse than that of most light heavyweights, allowing him to execute any game plan needed to win.
But it is his step-back that raises his game to even greater heights, making the opposition fall short on target. Bivol makes opponents miss while simultaneously punishing them for their mistakes, especially those who lunge forward. He has solid fundamentals blended with a stiff, fast, accurate jab, and his high-guard defensive system creates counterpunching opportunities.
Bivol fills holes in his opponent’s defense with fluid, straight punch combinations. He continuously shatters dreams by outmaneuvering and outsmarting more prominent high-level champions such as Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. In that 2022 fight, Bivol employed pressure and physicality to keep Ramirez off balance, pushing him along the ropes and blistering him with combinations. Bivol’s footwork is second to none. He can easily avoid capture and get into position to light up anyone, including Beterbiev. Bivol has the complexity, conditioning and skill to adapt and find many ways to overcome challenges.
Bivol also has an iron chin, not once touching the canvas with anything other than the soles of his boxing shoes, remaining undefeated at 23-0 with 12 knockouts.
The three key areas that will determine this fight
Range: Controlling the distance will be crucial for both fighters. Bivol should excel in the outside range thanks to his quicker hands and footwork, allowing him to land punches before Beterbiev can respond. Bivol’s faster and more efficient jab should help him maintain this advantage for as long as Beterbiev can’t get into his desired range, mid to inside. However, Beterbiev also has a strong jab that can be delivered with power, sometimes jabbing first before moving his feet. This allows him to close the distance, shuffling effectively, transitioning from outside to midrange to inside. Bivol, 33, fights in straight lines, and Beterbiev can exploit more than a jab as some of Beterbiev’s attacks are purposely airborne, using gravity as he rushes inside.
If the battle shifts to midrange or closer, it will favor Beterbiev. Conversely, if Bivol maintains control at a safe distance. He can dictate the pace, pressuring forward while staying difficult to locate. However, Bivol, who primarily uses a high guard when under attack, must avoid absorbing too many heavy punches, as Beterbiev’s power can wear down Bivol’s body.
Ropes: The ropes can serve as both an ally and an enemy. Control of the center of the ring is paramount for both fighters; whoever keeps his back facing toward the middle is likely to control and possibly dominate the fight. Bivol sometimes finds himself along the ropes, either by choice or circumstance, which could be detrimental. Staying off the ropes is critical for his success. Beterbiev thrives when opponents are cornered or along the ropes. Still, the ropes could give Bivol opportunities to land accurate combinations if he can push Beterbiev back, shifting the momentum in his favor. That could also influence the judges’ perception. Bivol must remain cautious, as Beterbiev can set lateral traps with his looping right hand. Keeping the fight in the center of the ring allows for a more accurate assessment for judging and will display each champion’s tactical and technical prowess.
Stamina: Hard punchers sap energy more than those delivering lighter punches. Every strike Bivol takes can drain his fuel system, while Beterbiev must manage his stamina when throwing heavy shots and absorbing punishment. Missed punches from either fighter will further contribute to fatigue and errors. The demands of a fight of this magnitude will test their wills and endurance. Efficient pressure and combination punching can disrupt a fighter’s balance and forward momentum, making stamina a potential game-changer. Ultimately, elite endurance might determine the winner in this undisputed matchup. Even at age 39, Beterbiev has shown superb conditioning, stamina and punching power late in fights. Bivol, too, has demonstrated excellent mental stamina, conditioning and great technique late in fights, while enduring loads of pressure.
Who wins?
This is a true toss-up. It’s rare to see a highly anticipated fight in which the fighters are evenly matched. Strategy and execution will play crucial roles in determining the winner. Each fighter’s range preference, stamina and game plan will influence the outcome, making it nearly impossible to predict a winner. With so many variables at play, this battle promises to be a must-watch event! We will witness something extraordinary on Saturday night.
The opening rounds will be crucial in setting the tone. While some might expect Beterbiev to begin slowly after his knee surgery and a layoff of nine months, he should adopt an aggressive strategy to disrupt Bivol’s rhythm and create discomfort early on. However, starting quickly comes with risk, as Bivol is a sharpshooter as a counter-puncher. It will be fascinating to see how this unfolds and impacts the fight’s dynamics.
My original pick, before Beterbiev needed surgery, was a Bivol win. He has better footwork, defense, an incredible jab and sharp counters. If he can keep the fight in the center of the ring, without being too stationary for Beterbiev’s midrange to inside attacks, he should win. However, it’s easier said than done. But I will go with Bivol.
