Dmitry Bivol is expected to return to his conservative, cautious fighting style when he fights Artur Beterbiev in their undisputed lightweight heavyweight championship on October 12 in Riyad.
WBA 175-pound champion Bivol (23-0, 12 KO) is believed to have only changed his style to a more aggressive one ahead of his fight with reserve Malik Zinad last Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyad because the guy wasn’t a real world fighter classes.
Against the mighty IBF/WBC/WBO champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO), Bivol will have to avoid getting into a shootout with him because he hits too challenging to risk it.
It is still early to know whether Beterbiev, 39, will be ready to return to the ring on October 12 due to a torn meniscus. If he does not undergo full rehabilitation, we can expect another postponement.
More of a “get in and get out” kind of thing.
“I don’t think he will go against Beterbiev in this style. “I think it will be more of a style that he has been in other fights in his career and things that he is more known for,” said boxing expert Paulie Malignaggi. Probox TV on Dmitry Bivol returning to his cautious style against Artur Beterbiev on October 12 for the undisputed lightweight heavyweight title, rather than playing aggressively as he did on Saturday night against Malik Zinad.
Bivol used a come-and-go style in his fights against Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez and Sullivan Barrera. These three are probably the best opponents Bivol has fought in his career and he has been careful in these fights.
“Look at his opponents. Lyndon Arthur and then fought Malik Zinad. They are not world-class,” Chris Algieri said of Bivol’s last two opponents. “They are both taller, but Beterbiev is not. Go back and look at Bivol fighting Sullivan Barrera [in 2018].
“In terms of body type and boxing IQ. It is known that the power is different [between Beterbiev and Sullivan]. It will be a similar fight to the one he fought against Beterbiev. Size-wise, they are almost the same size. The technical skills of boxing are very similar. Of course, power.”
Sullivan Barrera is a different player than Beterbiev. He didn’t have the same counter-attacking style, but he showed good power. Bivol was younger when he fought Barrera, faster and more energetic.
“What I saw that night in Bivol. I was at ringside. I was in Sullivan Barrera’s corner,” Algieri said. “What I saw that night in Bivol was astonishing. His ability to control distance. Power punch, hammer stab. I first saw it that night. We haven’t seen much since then.”
“I think when he fights a boxer, he combines it with a challenging punch,” Malignaggi said of Bivol. “Adjusts on the fly.”
Zinad had quite good punching power with his right hand when he used it in the first two rounds. However, after his fall, Zinad focused on using the jab and mainly boxed.
Bivol’s deep bag of tricks
“It’s just his bag of tricks. That’s what makes him so perilous. He’s doing enough to beat what’s in front of him. People say, “Oh, so that’s what he uses now?” No, he used that style against that guy tonight,” Algieri said of Bivol.
Bivols’ attack against Canelo and Ramirez was predictable. He went inside, fired a few shots, then moved back outside. These guys couldn’t handle his counter punches and hand speed, so he was able to dominate them.
“His ability to adapt and think through situations. His bag of tricks is so deep; that’s what makes him so perilous. That’s why I chose him as the winner of the match against Beterbiev. He’s like a magician,” Algieri said.
“He doesn’t show his whole bag. He chooses when he needs it. He wants to delight the audience every time and every time he comes up with what can work,” Algieri said of Bivol.
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