Dmitry Bivol is anticipated to revert again to his conservative, cautious fashion of combating when he fights Artur Beterbiev of their undisputed gentle heavyweight championship on October twelfth in Riyadh.
It’s believed that WBA 175-lb champion Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) solely modified his fashion to turn into extra aggressive for his combat in opposition to substitute opponent Malik Zinad final Saturday evening on the Kingdom Area in Riyadh as a result of this man wasn’t a real world-class fighter.
In opposition to the heavy-handed IBF/WBC/WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs), Bivol might want to keep away from entering into firefights with him as a result of he punches too laborious to take probabilities.
It’s nonetheless early to know if Beterbiev, 39, will likely be able to return to the ring on October twelfth as a result of he’s coming off a ruptured meniscus. If he’s not totally rehabbed, we may see one other postponement.
Extra of the in-and-out fashion
“I don’t assume he’ll go in opposition to Beterbiev with that form of fashion. I believe it’s going to be extra of the out and in fashion that he utilized in different fights in his profession and the stuff he’s actually extra recognized for,” mentioned boxing professional Paulie Malignaggi to Probox TV about Dmitry Bivol to return to his cautious fashion when he faces Artur Beterbiev on October twelfth for the undisputed gentle heavyweight championship slightly than being aggressive like he was in opposition to Malik Zinad final Saturday evening.
Bivol used the in-and-out fashion in his fights in opposition to Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, and Sullivan Barrera. These three are arguably the very best opponents Bivol has fought throughout his profession, and he was cautious in these fights.
“Take a look at his opponents. Lyndon Arthur, after which he fought Malik Zinad. They’re not world-class,” mentioned Chris Algieri about Bivol’s final two opponents. “Each guys are taller, and Beterbiev isn’t. Return and have a look at when Bivol fought Sullivan Barrera [in 2018].
“By way of physique kind and boxing IQ. Clearly, the ability is completely different [between Beterbiev and Sullivan]. It’s going to be an identical combat to how he fought in opposition to Beterbiev. Measurement-wise, they’re just about the identical measurement. Boxing technical expertise are very related. Clearly, energy.”
Sullivan Barrera is a fighter completely different from Beterbiev. He didn’t possess the identical counterpunching fashion, however he did present good energy. Bivol was youthful when he fought Barrera and was sooner and extra energetic.
“What I noticed from Bivol that evening. I used to be ringside. I used to be within the nook of Sullivan Barrera,” mentioned Algieri. “What I noticed from Bivol that evening was astonishing. His capacity to manage distance. The ability jab, that hammering jab. I noticed that for the primary time that evening. We haven’t actually seen that a lot since then.”
“I believe when he fights a boxer, he mixes that with the ability shot,” mentioned Malignaggi about Bivol. “He adjusts on the fly.”
Zinad had fairly good punching energy together with his proper hand when was utilizing it within the first two rounds. However after getting dropped, Zinad centered on utilizing his jab and he was largely boxing.
Bivol’s Deep Bag of Tips
“It’s simply his bag of tips. That’s what makes him so harmful. He does sufficient to win with what he has in entrance of him. Persons are like, ‘Oh, so is that the fashion he makes use of now?’ No, that’s the fashion he used in opposition to that man that evening,” mentioned Algieri about Bivol.
Bivols’ offense was predictable in opposition to Canelo and Ramirez. He was coming in, throwing a number of pictures, after which backing away to the surface. These guys couldn’t take care of his counter-punching and hand velocity, and that’s why he was capable of dominate them.
“His capacity to regulate and determine issues out. His bag of tips is so deep; that’s what makes him so harmful. That’s why he’s the man I picked to win in opposition to Beterbiev. He’s like a magician,” mentioned Algieri.
“He doesn’t present his complete bag. He picks when he wants it. He desires to wow the group each single time, and he figures out what can work every time,” mentioned Algieri about Bivol.
