Sergey Kovalev vs Artur Beterbiev (2015)

[EdwardRevolver1993]

I was recently reminded by my friend during the convo, that this fight was discussed back in 2015 and Beterbiev actually turned down the offer to fight Kovalev.

According to Google - apparently, after some verbal back-and-forth in media between Kovalev and Beterbiev, Team Kovalev made what they called "a lucrative offer" to Team Beterbiev for a fight in Moscow, with a working date of Nov.28th, 2015 on HBO.

Beterbiev's promoter politely turned this fight down and explained, that he prefers Beterbiev to first take a part in the IBF eliminator (instead of fighting for 3 belts right away). Dan Rafael shared his view on possible reasons of why Beterbiev's promoter decided to pass on the fight in his column back then https://www.espn.com/blog/dan-rafael/po ... o-surprise

Whatever, the fight never happened. But what would've happened, had Beterbiev accepted that offer back then?

[1536796]

I was recently reminded by my friend during the convo, that this fight was discussed back in 2015 and Beterbiev actually turned down the offer to fight Kovalev.

According to Google - apparently, after some verbal back-and-forth in media between Kovalev and Beterbiev, Team Kovalev made what they called "a lucrative offer" to Team Beterbiev for a fight in Moscow, with a working date of Nov.28th, 2015 on HBO.

Beterbiev's promoter politely turned this fight down and explained, that he prefers Beterbiev to first take a part in the IBF eliminator (instead of fighting for 3 belts right away). Dan Rafael shared his view on possible reasons of why Beterbiev's promoter decided to pass on the fight in his column back then https://www.espn.com/blog/dan-rafael/po ... o-surprise minecraftle game

Whatever, the fight never happened. But what would've happened, had Beterbiev accepted that offer back then?

Kovalev's only chance he must use his jab and keep Beterbiev on the outside with his strong right and body work. If Kovalev doesn't tie up on the inside and lets his ego get in the way deciding to brawl, then Beterbiev will win by tko. Beterbiev has the Russian fan and political backing if they fight in Russia due to his extensive amateur career and he also is not afraid of or intimidated by Kovalev which many fighters are when opposing him. People need to stop with the inexperience piece, every opponent on Kovalevs list would get kod by Beterbiev with the exception of BHop. Beterbiev in my opinion is just better because he won't allow Kovalev to walk him down and he'll be forced to defend the pressure and power of Beterbiev who fought as a heavyweight in the amateurs and routinely spars with cruisers and heavyweight contenders. Beterbiev by MD or late stoppage.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

I was recently reminded by my friend during the convo, that this fight was discussed back in 2015 and Beterbiev actually turned down the offer to fight Kovalev.

According to Google - apparently, after some verbal back-and-forth in media between Kovalev and Beterbiev, Team Kovalev made what they called "a lucrative offer" to Team Beterbiev for a fight in Moscow, with a working date of Nov.28th, 2015 on HBO.

Beterbiev's promoter politely turned this fight down and explained, that he prefers Beterbiev to first take a part in the IBF eliminator (instead of fighting for 3 belts right away). Dan Rafael shared his view on possible reasons of why Beterbiev's promoter decided to pass on the fight in his column back then https://www.espn.com/blog/dan-rafael/po ... o-surprise minecraftle game

Whatever, the fight never happened. But what would've happened, had Beterbiev accepted that offer back then?

Kovalev's only chance he must use his jab and keep Beterbiev on the outside with his strong right and body work. If Kovalev doesn't tie up on the inside and lets his ego get in the way deciding to brawl, then Beterbiev will win by tko. Beterbiev has the Russian fan and political backing if they fight in Russia due to his extensive amateur career and he also is not afraid of or intimidated by Kovalev which many fighters are when opposing him. People need to stop with the inexperience piece, every opponent on Kovalevs list would get kod by Beterbiev with the exception of BHop. Beterbiev in my opinion is just better because he won't allow Kovalev to walk him down and he'll be forced to defend the pressure and power of Beterbiev who fought as a heavyweight in the amateurs and routinely spars with cruisers and heavyweight contenders. Beterbiev by MD or late stoppage.

Very good breakdown, I appreciate it.

I think, all your points are reasonable. But ironically, "inexperience" was one of the reasons that Beterbiev's promoter cited when declining the offer. Well, it is what it is.

Just to clarify it - that's how you think the fight would've played out in 2015, right?