Two of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world will face off against one another on Saturday, October 12, 2024—just four days away as I write this blog. Both hailing from Russia, they are natural light heavyweights and accomplished amateurs, each bringing a unique skill set to the ring. I believe this matchup will be one of the most exciting in recent years, showcasing not only the art of boxing but also the brutality and toughness of both men. Let’s begin by discussing the fighters.
Artur Beterbiev
Artur Beterbiev is an absolute phenom in the world of boxing. With a perfect record of 20-0, all by knockout, he has made a name for himself by stopping formidable opponents, including former IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud in just his sixth professional fight. Beterbiev's victories over undefeated fighters like Jeff Page Jr., Callum Johnson (in one of the most thrilling, albeit brief, fights in recent memory), and Oleksandr Gvozdyk, alongside wins against skilled and accomplished names such as Radivoje Kalajdzic (24-1), Marcus Browne (24-1), Joe Smith Jr. (28-3), Anthony Yarde (23-2), and Callum Smith (29-1), further solidify his dominance.
Though Beterbiev was an extremely accomplished amateur, his professional style is often misunderstood. It’s easy to label him as pure force and destruction, but that does a disservice to his broad and exceptional skillset. While the end result of his fights may appear to be raw power, what truly sets him apart is his refined technique. His ringcraft is exemplary—he expertly cuts off the ring, shuts down opponents, and conserves energy with controlled, measured pressure, similar to a prime Gennady Golovkin.
Beterbiev uses his jab intelligently, targeting both body and head with varying intensity. He sets up feints, builds combinations, and disrupts his opponents’ rhythm. His bodywork is equally impressive, as he shifts levels with confidence, landing precise shots to maximize damage. He’s not a brawler or a slugger; instead, he’s a composed and deliberate puncher, targeting his opponents' weaknesses to break them down and eventually secure the stoppage.
Beyond his power, Beterbiev has proven his resilience, rising from the canvas after being dropped by the heavy-handed Callum Johnson. He recovered to regain control and deliver devastating blows, stopping Johnson in the fourth round. Beterbiev isn’t just a knockout artist—he’s a masterful technician who combines power, precision, and excellent boxing IQ in the ring.
Dmitry Bivol
Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted and disciplined fighters in boxing today. His unbeaten record and a string of dominant performances over notable names such as Sullivan Barrera (21-1), Isaac Chilemba (25-5-2), former champion Jean Pascal (33-5-1), Joe Smith Jr. (24-2), and, perhaps most notably, his masterclass victory over pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez (57-1-2), have established Bivol as one of the finest boxer-movers in the sport. While Álvarez may have been the smaller fighter, Bivol's win was a testament to his exceptional skills and tactical brilliance.
One of Bivol's greatest strengths is his ability to manage range with surgical precision. He never overcommits, maintaining a relaxed yet versatile lead hand that allows him to neutralize opponents’ attacks with ease. His lead hand is more than just a tool for jabbing; it's a weapon for controlling the rhythm of the fight. Bivol expertly uses it to occupy his opponents' guard, manipulate their hand positions, and create openings for his more powerful combinations.
Bivol’s fitness and work rate are exceptional, allowing him to maintain a high pace throughout the fight while his fast hands and fluid combinations keep opponents constantly on edge. He is always active, whether setting up his attacks with the lead hand or unleashing rapid-fire punches that break through defenses. His ability to mix up angles and shift levels adds layers to his style, making him an extremely difficult puzzle to solve in the ring.
Bivol's tactical intelligence, stamina, and combination speed make him one of the most complete fighters in the sport. His strong amateur pedigree is evident in his professional style, which doesn’t rely on brute force or flashy knockouts. Instead, Bivol systematically dismantles his opponents, using skill, intelligence, and precision to dominate, whether winning by points or stoppage. He proves that boxing is about refined technical skill, supported by elite conditioning—it's not just about power or relentless aggression.
Summary of Potential Weaknesses:
Artur Beterbiev:
As Anthony Yarde demonstrated, Beterbiev can sometimes stay in the pocket a fraction too long while trying to land his powerful punches, leaving himself open to counters.
The Johnson fight showed that Beterbiev can be vulnerable to big shots and has been dropped, although his ability to recover quickly is remarkable.
Beterbiev is often hit with jabs as he closes the distance. While he may use these jabs as confirmation that he's within range to attack, this approach could backfire against a skilled mover like Bivol.
Beterbiev doesn’t have exceptional range on his punches, though he has a wide variety of shots in his arsenal. To be effective, he needs to close the distance and get within range to land them.
Dmitry Bivol:
When Bivol settles into his rhythm, his lead hand tends to sit lower and bounce just out of sight. While this can lure opponents into attacking, it also leaves his left side more exposed.
Bivol generally follows a consistent left/right rhythm when throwing combinations, utilizing height shifts to create opportunities. However, this pattern could become predictable to a sharp opponent.
He sometimes over-rotates on his left hook, causing his hand to drop out of position as his shoulder turns, which makes him vulnerable to a counter right hand. This is especially noticeable when he's bouncing on his feet.
Bivol occasionally overextends when throwing flurries, particularly when he believes his opponent is hurt, causing him to fall in and potentially expose himself to counters.
After finishing a combination, Bivol often bounces in place and lowers his guard. While it may be a calculated trap, some opponents who capitalized on this found success.
Whilst all of these weaknesses can be seen when watching fighters, the ability to capitalise on openings and compete with the adaptability of the fighter when weaknesses are exposed means that they can become utterly irrelevant very quickly.
My Prediction
This could be the biggest fight in boxing since Terence Crawford's dominant win over Errol Spence Jr., carrying a similar level of importance and magnitude. For the past 4-5 years, these two fighters have been on a collision course, and now we’re finally getting the chance to witness this long-anticipated clash. I’m thrilled to write about it, and even more excited to be so challenged in making a prediction.
I believe this fight will play out in two distinct halves. Early on, Bivol will likely find success, using his jab and long-range shots to control the distance. He’ll bounce out of range, circle the ring, and keep Beterbiev at bay. By the end of the first five rounds, I expect Beterbiev to be visibly bruised, possibly cut, as we’ve seen before. I predict the first five rounds will clearly go to Bivol. Beterbiev will, in spite of being down in the rounds, be landing his trademark looping shots behind the ear and stabbing shots to the body. While these efforts may not immediately win Beterbiev the rounds, they will have a cumulative effect, slowing Bivol down.
However, starting from round six, I think the momentum will shift. Beterbiev, known for his relentless pressure, will begin cutting off the ring and timing Bivol’s movements. He’ll start to exchange with Bivol, walking him into punches, especially targeting the body. With his success becoming more apparent, he’ll start landing slip jabs and slip crosses, splitting Bivol’s punches and shifting through gears. Bivol won’t back down easily—he’ll likely increase his intensity and volume as he realizes his usual escapes are being cut off by Beterbiev’s increasingly predictive footwork. This is where I expect the fight to become an instant classic, with rounds 8-11 hotly contested. Beterbiev will land the more damaging and impactful shots, edging out these rounds on the scorecards.
I predict the fight will be split, with Bivol taking rounds 1-5, and Beterbiev dominating 6-11. It will all come down to the final round, where I believe Beterbiev will have the upper hand, possibly even hurting Bivol for the first time in the fight. As Bivol takes more risks, driven by a sense of urgency, Beterbiev will capitalize and secure a narrow victory.
I can’t overstate how excited I am for this fight—it promises to be a brilliant display of boxing. I hope my prediction holds true, and that we’re treated to the spectacular, competitive battle we all hope for, unlike the one-sided outcome we saw in the Crawford-Spence Jr. bout.
In Conclusion
The highly anticipated showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol on October 12, 2024, is set to be a monumental clash in the world of boxing. Both fighters, boasting impressive records and skill sets, promise to deliver an unforgettable display of skill, strategy, and sheer toughness.
As they step into the ring, I believe fans can expect a riveting match that showcases the best of what boxing has to offer. Beterbiev, with his explosive power and intelligent, relentless pressure, will look to impose his will, while Bivol, ever the masterful technician, will rely on his ring craft and tactical intelligence to outmanoeuvre his opponent.
This bout isn't just about individual talent; it's a culmination of years of anticipation and rivalry. As the world watches, we can only hope for a fight that lives up to its immense potential—one that highlights the beauty of boxing while also embodying the grit and determination of both fighters. Regardless of the outcome, this matchup promises to be a defining moment in both of their careers and a testament to the sport we love.
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