How do you define a tidy boxer? What attributes do they rely on most to execute their rhythmic, defensively polished style?

Well, without claiming to be an expert in this field, it can be said that a true boxer will always employ his pointed jabs and practiced footwork to control the distance of the fight.

By doing this, they are able to move in and out of coverage on their terms, often moving into the pocket and even moving out of the pocket at an angle, so when an opponent becomes slightly confused by their animated movement, they can quickly exploit any openings, which in turn can become appear.

Dmitry Bivol is, of course, a tidy boxer. And yet, while he will usually fight for a long time – giving himself plenty of space not only to prepare attacks, but also to stay protected – he has also proven on uncommon occasions that he can hit the shot exceptionally well.

However, if you need further evidence of Bivol’s durability, look no further than his appearance on GQ Sports’ YouTube channel last December.

In the video “10 Things Boxing Champion Dmitry Bivol Can’t Live Without,” the 33-year-old reveals that every night before going to bed he lies down on a spiked mat – yes, you have a SPIKE – to “relax.”

While others may sip soothing herbal tea or maybe even take a heated bath, Bivol’s nightly ritual involves spreading out his lower back on a bed of metal needles.

But the truth is that every boxer – including Floyd Mayweather and Pernell Whittaker – must have a certain degree of mental and physical toughness in their back pocket to keep safely tucked away from exposure, almost like a hidden superpower whenever they are forced into a more threatening exchange.

And that’s certainly something Bivol may have to demonstrate when he clashes with Artur Beterbiev, a powerful knockout who, without needing a spiked mat, is capable of putting his compatriot to sleep at any moment.

Dmitry Bivol’s story so far

Bivol, like his next opponent, entered the professional ranks after a brilliant amateur career.

The highly skilled technician then fought his first 11 fights – earning nine stoppages – before winning the WBA airy heavyweight title in emphatic fashion, ruthlessly crushing Australian challenger Trent Broadhurst during the round.

And so, after performing in a sophisticated venue in Monte Carlo – perhaps even coming close to shattering the spectacular casino chandelier that shone brightly above the ring – Bivol soon made a name for himself on the 175-pound world stage with his explosive performance.

However, in subsequent appearances, the undefeated talent was forced to defend his newly acquired brilliance against three of the division’s most experienced operators.

And despite a significant escalate in levels, Bivol was able to complete each task with tremendous efficiency, defeating Sullivan Barrera in the 12th round before securing comprehensive points victories over wily veterans Isaac Chilemba and Jean Pascal.

By this point, the Russian had proven to be one of the most lethal performers in the sport, and dominant title defenses against the likes of Joe Smith Jr and Craig Richards only reinforced his greatness.

But then, in an unexpected clash with pound-for-pound star Canelo Alvarez, most bookmakers considered Bivol a clear underdog for the first time in his career.

And yet, regardless of the noise during the build-up, the airy heavyweight champion entered the T-Mobile Arena – Canelo’s playground – and delivered a fascinating clinic, defeating the super middleweight king with a methodical, vicious jab.

Indeed, the monumental victory – although slightly undermined by three stunning scorecards – gave Bivol the recognition he has long deserved.

However, his path to undisputed position was not yet complete. Standing in his way were Gilberto Ramirez and Lyndon Arthur, both of whom ultimately succumbed to the brilliance of Bivol, who barely broke a sweat before finally reaching his chosen destination – or so he thought.

With Beterbiev suffering a knee injury ahead of the supremacy fight, which was originally scheduled for June 1, Bivol took the opportunity to dance under the lights one last time and scored a devastating sixth-round stoppage victory over the awkward but threatening Malik Zinad.

And that, if anything, would be a heartfelt reminder to his next opponent, illustrating that a real boxer can also punch with a little power when he needs to.

ELEVEN professional opponents tried to solve Skye Nicolson’s great mystery. They all failed. The Australian won easily. Only one opponent tested it. Tough night last year in Fresh York against Tania Alvarez. An instructive fight for Nicolson. She still won. In fact, she won well. But Alvarez made it work. So far, the only opponent to achieve this. Nicolson learned. She changed. Since then, the former Olympian has been untouchable.

On Saturday night, Raven Chapman will be the last competitor to try out. Chapman has a better chance than the rest. He is a living opponent. An undefeated challenger who, perhaps unlike most, if not all, of the Australian’s previous opponents, inspires confidence and a genuine belief in victory. Trust me, it matters.

I spoke to both of them more than once. It’s tough to see the crack in their self-confidence. It’s a fight they both want. It’s a fight they both need.

The plan to defeat Nicolson looks simple on paper. But no one has managed to do it yet. In fact, no one came close. Nicolson could disappear from view very quickly. Before you know it, the fight is practically over. You can lose five or six rounds on the cards without landing a single punch. Chapman knows he has to start speedy. If Nicolson comes out on top. She probably won’t get caught. 11 previous opponents will attest to this.

But Chapman brings a lot to the table. In nine fights and nine wins, she had to work a little harder for those wins than Nicolson did for eleven wins. A petite fact that could be crucial if the fight gets deep and fierce. If Chapman is going to win, it just has to go in this direction. She’ll know she has to make Nicolson feel more than uncomfortable.

In miniature, he needs to stick it to himself. And repeatedly. Chapman finds it very different from those who have tried before. She will have to be. Chapman will win the rounds. The question is whether he will win enough. Everything indicates that he will not do it.

This coming weekend, Nicolson and Chapman will create a little piece of history. The first women’s fight of the season in Riyad. An essential footnote in the current climate. It should have come sooner. But we have it now. A lot will fall on the shoulders of both players. The WBC featherweight world title will not be the only thing at stake on Saturday evening. For many reasons you feel that the fight must bring results.

Skye Nicolson defends her WBC bauble for the second time. He won’t admit it, but this is the first fight he’ll enter where there’s a real chance he’ll lose. But Chapman is in exactly the same situation. Maybe even more. But they both wanted this moment of truth. They both just want to know how good they are. This is sporadic in boxing. It’s a good fight.

Chapman believes he will win. “I just think I’m doing everything better. Just expect violence at night,” she told me last month.

But Nicolson has never lacked confidence. Already at the initial stage of her professional career, she called for a fight with Amanda Serrano. Honestly, she still is. Of course that won’t happen. But it won’t hurt Nicolson if he shouts.

Nicolson wants to be the greatest fighter who ever lived. Bold claims. But you have to admire the ambition. But sometimes reality hits harder than any blow. Nicolson may very well be the best featherweight in the world, but in other respects you need to be reserved. When the featherweight ranks are left behind, trouble can begin. Raven Chapman might even cause her as much trouble as she can handle this coming weekend.

Nicolson’s elusive Catch Me If You Can style isn’t for everyone. Often, single-strike attacks and refusing to attack only from a protected distance discourage many. Some will say Nicolson runs. He’ll say it’s a move. But whatever it is, it works. And quite attractive. This is her greatest weapon. It’s not up to her to change. It’s up to her opponents to decide what her style will be. Boxing Rubik’s Cube.

The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. Good fight. But also very essential. This is history. Well, sort of. An overused expression in every area of ​​life. But more in boxing. But regardless of the label, Skye Nicolson and Raven Chapman have the seismic platform and fight they wanted. It may be a moment of time. We hope that there will be many more moments like this in their sport.

AS I watched people break up this weekend’s superfight for undisputed featherlight heavyweight supremacy, I noticed that most of them were motivated by Beterbiev being an aggressive puncher and Bivol being an elusive boxer.

While this is true, there is not enough detail on just how versatile both of these men are, which is what makes this fight so compelling. It is worth noting that Beterbiev has been stopping top-class professional fighters for ten years, since he knocked out Tavoris Cloud in 2014, and Dmitry Bivol has been a world champion for seven years.

While both of these men remained largely unknown to the masses until recent years, it’s simple to forget how long they remained at the top of the boxing world.

On the stylistic side, let’s start with Arthur being a puncher. Of course, it’s true; his fists are loaded with dynamite, just a brush is enough to turn the tide and turn the tide, and I don’t feel like anyone else in the sport today has heavier hands than Beterbiev. However, he is the furthest thing from a puncher who relies solely on punch power. Beterbiev is a phenomenal technician himself. His amateur record is 295-5, and he has won major tournaments, including the World and European Championships, even beating the phenomenally talented Oleksandr Usyk.

Developing his style in line with the longer format of professional boxing, Beterbiev has perfected a solid defensive front foot stance, spearheaded by an almost impenetrable high guard. The only weakness I have found may be a slight lack of head movement, which may have been the reason for the few knockdowns he has suffered so far.

His jab is devastatingly powerful and true, and he has an excellent ability to judge distance as he closes the gap. The way he takes shots when you’re under his calculated pressure has an impact on both your body and your head, and when he’s backing away he can counterattack really precisely, as we saw with the shot he caught Callum Smith with just before he got close to the finish line. . I think his skill, IQ and technique are a bit below the radar, and Bivol’s physical strength and pop are too.

Similarly, Bivol is a combat boxing champion. His powerful jabs, footwork, combination punches and distance control are his strengths and will most likely serve as his main tools for victory. However, in my opinion, he is much stronger than many make him out to be.

He doesn’t have a high KO percentage, but on his way to the top, Bivol challenged people to one-punch KOs in the first round; just look at the Trent Broadhurst fight. Although he hasn’t stopped many fighters lately, he has them under complete control during the fight, not only due to his boxing IQ, but also his underrated strength.

True, he had a size advantage over Canelo, but no one could keep Canelo as physically forthright as Bivol. He is solid and robust, but tends to apply it more methodically, sticking to a game plan designed to secure dominant wins. In his last outing, we saw his ability to finish fights when he decided to push the action harder.

Bivol was too good for the confident Canelo. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Both of these men are undeniably the best at what they excel at, and in doing so, they have beaten the best with relative ease. But what makes this fight so brilliant is that both are more than good enough in all departments to nullify the other’s superiority in some areas. In my opinion, this is a fight as tough to decide as any other, and with all the belts on the line, it makes for some great intrigue.