Oleksandr Gvozdyk recommends that Dmitry Bivol “run away” from Artur Beterbiev, not let him hit him, and keep off the ropes subsequent Saturday of their gentle heavyweight undisputed championship battle in Riyadh.
The previous WBC 175-lb champion Gvozdyk was the favourite when he fought Beterbiev 5 years in the past on October 18, 2019, however was knocked out within the tenth spherical.
Gvozdyk was forward on two of the judges’ scorecards by the scores 87–83, 86-85 whereas the third had it 87-83 on the time of the stoppage within the tenth. Gvozdyk confirmed that Beterbiev could be outboxed for lengthy stretches, however it doesn’t take a lot for him to show the battle round along with his energy.
Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) is extra cellular and a greater mixture puncher than Gvozdyk was again then, however not as highly effective or as sturdy within the chin division. For this battle, Bivol should abandon his mixture punching as a result of that would depart him susceptible to Beterbiev’s counter-punching. He’s like a shark that preys on his meals recreation to return to him, trying to land.
“He’s very good, has good footwork, and has an excellent and exact jab,” mentioned Oleksandr Gvozdyk to Spherical Eight Boxing, speaking about Dmitry Bivol. “These are two completely different kinds of fighters. Beterbiev is a brawler; he’s coming and relentless. He’s very robust and in addition very good. Individuals underestimate his boxing abilities.
“Yeah, due to his type, he’s simply coming and breaking everybody down,” mentioned Gvozdyk when requested if folks underestimate Beterbiev’s technical means. “Individuals assume he’s solely able to doing that, however he also can field.”
Beterbiev is generally boxing, however his energy is so robust that it ends in him knocking out his opponents. He has heavy fingers, and even his jabs have energy behind them. Bivol is clearly going to be boxing and making an attempt to avoid Beterbiev all the battle. That’s not going to be simple.
“He was an novice world champion the place you may’t actually make the most of your energy for everybody. There’s plenty of technical guys on the market. You’re restricted by three rounds,” mentioned Gvozdyk.
“Clearly, you’re getting ready to keep away from his punches. You’re not supposed to dam you close to the ropes as a result of that is the place he’s getting actually harmful,” mentioned Gvozdyk about Beterbiev. “When he begins touchdown his punches in your [guard], you continue to really feel them, and it’s not simple to battle this man.”
Bivol received’t let Beterbiev catch him towards the ropes, however that doesn’t imply he received’t get hit exhausting within the heart of the ring. Beterbiev doesn’t have to lure his opponents for him to land exhausting pictures. A lot of his knockouts come within the heart of the ring.
“He is aware of learn how to battle these sorts of men,” Gvozdyk mentioned about Beterbiev understanding learn how to cope with cellular fighters that use footwork. So, I feel it’s going to be a very exhausting activity for Bivol.
“It’s exhausting [to prevent Beterbiev from trapping you against the ropes]. While you’re combating this sort of man, you’re operating your engine at excessive revs on a regular basis, which actually burns you out. Moreover the technical and tactical half, it’s important to deal with your conditioning half very effectively to have the ability to battle Beterbiev,” mentioned Gvozdyk.
It’s going to be tough for Bivol to maneuver all the battle to elude Beterbiev as a result of he’s going to catch him with brief punches. Even when Bivol pivots away to flee, he’ll get hit with pictures. Not like different energy punchers, Beterbiev doesn’t load up on his pictures. He throws brief, high-pack pictures that do plenty of injury.
“Don’t let him punch you and work your [backside] exhausting,” mentioned Gvozdyk on what recommendation he has for Bivol to defeat Beterbiev. “Run away as a result of it’s not a good suggestion to remain towards the ropes towards him,” mentioned Gvozdyk.
It should require Bivol to emphasise throwing single punches and jabs to stop Beterbiev from hitting him always along with his punches. Motion is necessary for Bivol, however it received’t win him the battle with out him standing and combating at occasions.
The judges aren’t going to financial institution Bivol rounds routinely based mostly on three minutes of motion and nil scoring punches towards Beterbiev. That works for some fighters after they’re the A-side, combating of their hometowns, however Saturday’s contest in Riyadh is on impartial floor for each.
