The fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol has people waiting with bated breath, and one of those people was Chris Algieri, who thinks we could be in for a surprise. In the December 14th slated at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Algieri opined that Bivol stands a chance to knock out the tough Beterbiev.
Can Bivol Get the Better Of Beterbiev?
While it may seem unlikely at first glance, Chris Algieri’s analysis brings some interesting points to the spotlight. Artur Beterbiev has a clean slate from which he has recorded 20-0 with 20 KOs, and the opponent has never deposited Beterbiev on the canvas in a brutal way.
The only occasion when Beterbiev touched the canvas at that match was in the middle of the fight against Callum Johnson in 2018, and it was enough for Johnson to score the knockdown. Beterbiev managed to get back on his feet and deliver the knockout punch in the following round. Before that, he suffered a flash knockdown against Jeff Page Jr., but it was hardly a sign of vulnerability.
But, despite that, Chris Algieri thinks that Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) could have enough of a punch to surprise Beterbiev. Behind the opposition of Beterbiev, Bivol has not brought down outstanding rivals such as Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, or even Joe Smith, but Chris Algieri believes there exists one particular possibility that Bivol could land an ideal punch that blinds Beterbiev. He said that it may come as a surprise to many fans that a technical boxer like Bivol can take down a hard-hitting power puncher like Beterbiev.
Chris Algieri Talks On Beterbiev’s Evolving Style
He is not just a knockout artist but a skilled boxer with solid amateur experience on his record. For several years, Beterbiev’s style has evolved, particularly as he’s faced bigger punchers like Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde. As of now Chris Algieri, the 38-year-old has evolved into a different and relatively more defensive-minded boxer, particularly wiser when it comes to power punches and more likely to throw jabs and work on the position.
Although Bivol is not exactly a big KO artist like some of the previous opponents of Beterbiev. He does have a pack-a-punch decent enough to merit some amount of respect. While a knockout percentage may not be as high as many boxing fans might like, Bivol’s exhibition against Canelo in 2022 is evidence of his skill and precision.
The Complicated Matchup Ahead
Paulie Malignaggi, another seasoned boxing analyst, also weighed in on the matchup, highlighting the deceptive power that Bivol brings. Paulie Malignaggi said that:
“You talk about Bivol’s punching power. We’ve seen some sharp right hands. They surprise you with speed. They’re deceptive, and all of a sudden, you see his right-hand landing, and guys get hurt.”
But Malignaggi stressed that Bivol does not throw his punches massively like conventional punchers because of his hit-and-run style, which subsequently amasses a lot of distance. Altogether, the clash between Beterbiev and Bivol offers great hope for an interesting clash of distinct strategies.
Although Beterbiev is known for his knockout strength, Bivol, combined with speed and effectiveness of hits, could present many problems. It remains to be seen whether Bivol can finally send Beterbiev to the canvas or not, but, based on this forecast, Chris Algieri’s expectation makes this fight even more interesting.
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