Call him Mr. Perfect. With a record of 20-0 and all 20 victories coming by knockout, Artur Beterbiev strikes fear into the hearts of his opponents, forcing those who share the ring with him to face the haunting question: is his power real and can I match it? resist ?

Every punch landed by Beterbiev should be treated as a potential KO punch. He is able to physically and mentally dismantle his enemies, leaving them bloody, battered and confused.

But Beterbiev, the WBC, IBF and WBO lightweight heavyweight champion who will face WBA champion Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed championship on Saturday (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET), is more than just a punch; it is also a merciless technical predator bent on destruction. Beterbiev combines his strength and punching power with infinite willpower.

And Bivol is not just a shrewd boxer; he is an clever tactician, a true wizard in the ring and a technical master who continues to rise above the competition. I see him as a master swordsman, primarily moving in and out of range with ease and displaying a scarce combination of precision, strength and strategic brilliance.

Let’s also take into account that Beterbiev’s return from a knee injury is a concern. Former middleweight champion Sergio Martinez and former junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman suffered similar injuries that circumscribed their mobility.

Bivol and Beterbiev rely primarily on a high guard to defend themselves, which exposes their bodies. This can create an opportunity to hurt and weaken each of them. It will be intriguing to see who exactly uses this strategy in hopes of destroying the other.

Let’s take a look at the Beterbiev-Bivol fight – who has the advantage and how the fight may go.

Understanding Beterbiev’s game

play

Artur Beterbiev declares victory after Callum Smith stops the fight following a corner kick

Artur Beterbiev defeats Callum Smith in the 7th round of their fight to retain his titles in the Top Rank Boxing main event.

Beterbiev is able to read the initial movements of opponents, intercepting their position and attack, setting traps for counterattacks. He keeps quick-footed boxers off-balance, as he did against Oleksandr Gvozdyk in 2019 and tough southpaw Marcus Browne in 2021, and he destroyed the knockout Joe Smith Jr. in 2022. Beterbiev delivers miniature, compact and powerful punches, knocking down opponents’ energy and breaking their will to fight. When he throws a punch, there’s a sound like a truck hitting a wall. This overwhelming force can temporarily paralyze opponents, freezing them in their tracks as they react to the sheer force of his attack.

Each fight is a brutal testament to his brilliance and dominance as he methodically decimates every boxing style. The tools of his trade include attacking from the delicate side, changing the point of attack, and forcing opponents to move to the left. These maneuvers are performed for several reasons, including the fact that most orthodox warriors have difficulty fighting while moving to the right. Beterbiev also shifts forward to create a up-to-date attacking angle by positioning himself in a southpaw position, challenging his opponent’s positioning and defensive mechanics.

Beterbiev has shown remarkable resilience throughout his career, frequently recovering and winning by KO despite severe cuts and knockdowns. This shows his strength and experience in high-pressure situations.

Let me include his looping right hand setup with a lateral movement to the right to get away from his favorite shot, the right hand. Beterbiev is a master of cutting off the ring and throwing punches where his opponents are going. While skills may develop over time, the raw strength and power speak for themselves. Beterbiev is more than just perfect. I find him extremely special.

Understanding Bivol’s game

Bivol weakens boxers of all styles, from punchers and technicians to fighters and boxer-punchers, by tactically wearing them down. Bivol demonstrates a style of swinging footwork (moving back and forth), precisely creating piercing lines on the canvas, avoiding impacts by mere centimeters. He deliberately advances, capturing the center of the ring with a stiff jab mixed with probes and level changes. He applies pressure by drawing an imaginary line and challenging his opponents to cross it.

Bivol may not have the explosive power of other lightweight heavyweights, but he wields the finesse of a bomb disposal technician, expertly dispersing threats before they can detonate. Bivol’s defense and footwork are top-notch, and his offensive arsenal is much more energetic and varied than most lightweight heavyweights, allowing him to execute any game plan necessary to win.

However, it is his step back that elevates his game to an even higher level, causing the opponent to miss the goal. Bivol makes opponents miss while punishing them for their mistakes, especially those who rush forward. He has a solid foundation combined with a stiff, swift and right jab, and his high guard defense system creates opportunities for counterattacks.

Bivol fills gaps in the opponent’s defense with silky, uncomplicated punch combinations. He constantly shatters dreams by outmaneuvering and outsmarting more notable high-level champions such as Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. During that 2022 fight, Bivol used pressure and physical strength to keep Ramirez off balance, pushing him against the ropes and blistering him with combinations. Bivol’s footwork is second to none. He can easily evade capture and take a position that can enlighten anyone, including Beterbiev. Bivol has the complexity, conditioning and skills needed to adapt and find multiple ways to overcome challenges.

Bivol also has an iron chin, has never once touched the canvas with anything other than the sole of his boxing shoes, and remains undefeated with a record of 23-0 and 12 knockouts.

Three key areas that will decide this fight

Range: Controlling the distance will be key for both players. Bivol should excel at outside distances thanks to his quicker hand and footwork, which allows him to land punches before Beterbiev can respond. Bivol’s faster and more effective jab should lend a hand him maintain that advantage as long as Beterbiev can’t get into his desired center-to-center range. However, Beterbiev also has a powerful jab that can be delivered with great power, sometimes jabbing first before moving his feet. This allows him to close the distance by effectively shuffling from outside to inside to inside. Bivol, 33, fights in a straight line, and Beterbiev can operate more than just the jab, as some of Beterbiev’s attacks are intentionally done in the air and take advantage of gravity as he rushes inside.

If the fight moves to the middle or closer, it favors Beterbiev. Conversely, if Bivol maintains control at a distance. He can dictate the pace, push forward, but at the same time he is tough to locate. However, Bivol, who mainly uses a high guard when attacking, must avoid taking too many ponderous punches because Beterbiev’s power can weaken Bivol’s body.

Ropes: Ropes can serve as both an ally and an enemy. Control of the center of the ring is paramount for both fighters; whoever has his back to the center will likely take control and will likely dominate the fight. Bivol sometimes finds himself on the edge, either by choice or by circumstance, which can be harmful. Staying off the ropes is crucial to his success. Beterbiev thrives when opponents are cornered or on the ropes. Still, the ropes could give Bivol a chance to land right combinations if he can push Beterbiev away, changing the energetic in his favor. This may also influence the judges’ perception. Bivol needs to be careful as Beterbiev can set side traps with a looping right hand. Keeping the fight in the center of the ring allows for more right scoring and allows you to assess the tactical and technical skills of each champion.

Persistence: Demanding punches operate more energy than lighter punches. Each of Bivol’s shots has the potential to deplete his fuel system, while Beterbiev must keep his stamina in check while taking ponderous shots and taking penalties. Missed punches by any player will further contribute to fatigue and errors. The demands of a fight of this scale will test their will and endurance. Effective pressure and punch combinations can disrupt a fighter’s balance and forward momentum, making endurance a potential game-changer. Ultimately, elite endurance may determine the winner in this uncontested matchup. Even at the age of 39, Beterbiev showed excellent conditioning, endurance and punching power in delayed fights. Bivol also showed excellent mental toughness, fitness and great technique at the end of the fights, while withstanding enormous pressure.

Who wins?

This is a real shake-up. It’s scarce to see a long-awaited fight where the fighters are evenly matched. Strategy and execution will play a key role in determining the winner. Each athlete’s range, stamina and game plan preferences will influence the outcome, making it almost impossible to predict the winner. With so many variables to consider, this battle will be a must-watch! On Saturday evening we will witness something extraordinary.

The opening rounds will be crucial in setting the tone. While some may expect Beterbiev to play slowly following knee surgery and a nine-month layoff, he should adopt an aggressive strategy to disrupt Bivol’s rhythm and create discomfort early in the game. However, starting quickly comes with risks, as Bivol is a marksman with the ability to counter-attack. It will be fascinating to see how this develops and affects the combat dynamics.

My original choice before Beterbiev needed surgery was for Bivol to win. He has better footwork, defense, an incredible jab and piercing counter-attacks. If he can keep the fight in the center of the ring while not being too still for Beterbiev’s mid-range attack, he should win. However, this is easier said than done. But I’ll go with Bivol.