Bivol vs Beterbiev - 4 belt unification

[ALI]

For me this has to be the best fight in boxing right now. That performance from Beterbiev last night really showed what a powerhouse he really is. I was leaning towards Bivol before the Smith fight, but now i need to seriously re-think this. I'm on the fence now until i re-watch some of their recwnt past performances.

These two are both boxing infrequently, especially Beterbiev. I have no idea what is going on with him and why he fights only about once per year. Anyhow, this fight absolutely has to get made asap, it has to be their next fights, and really should happen sometime during the summer. If it does not, it could end up being just another fight the sport has tragically missed out on. The buzz and anticipation around it now is unlikely to peak any higher, so they need to get it done. Apparantly the Saudi's are ready to open the wallet so there really should be nothing stopping it, but this is boxing so who the feck knows???

How buzzed are you for this fight, and if it happens next, who do you see winning?

[samwbr]

Bivol on a SD.

[joshj909]

"Best fight in boxing right now" is a statement that's been made a few times recently and it's all true really. Crawford vs Spence last year, Usyk vs Fury on the way and it looks like Bivol vs Beterbiev coming soon too. Edwards vs Rodriguez and Inoue vs Fulton were top top matchups aswell. We could do with the lightweights/SLW getting in the mix as well. Are the dark ages of boxing coming to an end?

With regards to this fight? I think Bivol by decision but I wouldn't bet money on it. Tough fight between the clear #1 and #2 in the division but it's not even clear which of them is #1 and which is #2.

[jameswilson]

Bivol decision but has to go to the well for the first time in his career.

[tonyevs]

I'd favour Beterbiev now. Bivol won't hit hard enough to keep Beterbiev off.

This fight can't wait too long now. The cats out of the bag with Beterbiev and PEDs, so I'm sure there will be more scrutiny on him which may result in a dip of form going forward.

[SeanBrennan]

I've no clue who will win, should be a massive fight though. Beterbiev's age certainly does not seem a factor.

[Bigdogsnose]

Fancy Beterbiev here. Still think Bivol has only ever fought in his comfort zone, has another gear to find. Guess big question is does he? If theres still more to come from Bivol then he could be extraordinary. Canelo picked him because he was on a run of dismantling fleet footed, outside boxers. Bivol proved he was a big step above your plants snd saunders. He has to step up again for me, and he maybe could but Beterbiev is gonna test him to the max and i just dont think he'll have that insane level of durability needed. Definitley best fight out there. Crawford v boots runs second for me, but wont happen.

[Ezzard]

One of the biggest fights in the history of the division.

[NoScoutingReports]

Just really hope this happens within the next year, so interested to see how Bivol deals with the educated pressure x power of Beterbiev. I lean ever so slightly towards a Bivol decision victory at the minute but keeping Artur off for 12 rounds at that level would take a remarkable performance. Fingers crossed.

[JC]

It's a fantastic fight. Great clash of styles too, which makes it fun to think about.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Beterbiev, very late KO in a fight that he's losing by halfway point, but he grinds out the win and stops Bivol in what would have been a close fight on the cards.

Great fight this.

[leejonesjnr]

Bivol wins on points, people that prefer Bivol see him the clear winner, people who prefer Beterbiev see him the clear winner and neither side can understand the others position as per Leonard v Hagler.

[Ezzard]

I have to go with Bivol. I think he's been the -4- number 1 for a while now and will stick rather than twist.

[Monzon83]

I don’t see Bivol as favourably as some do, Beterbiev stops him IMO.

I honestly think Beterbiev will go down as one of the ATG LHW’s. There’s a reason Ward and Canelo wanted no part of him. He’s a freak of nature. I doubt there has ever been a physically stronger LHW.