David Benavidez is choosing WBA mild heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to be victorious towards Artur Beterbiev subsequent Saturday evening in Riyadh. Benavidez provides Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) a “slight edge” of their undisputed mild heavyweight championship on October twelfth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Benavidez is the WBC necessary and interim champion and can doubtlessly be getting a shot at that title subsequent 12 months. His possibilities of successful are arguably higher towards Bivol than Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs), who may be too highly effective for the amount puncher.
Beterbiev, 39, is the older fighter than the 33-year-old Bivol, and he comes into the match with doubts about his proper knee situation. He had surgical procedure in Might 2024 for a ruptured meniscus, and he has solely had 4 months to recuperate from the surgical procedure.
“I believe Bivol has a slight edge, however I don’t know. It’s a 50-50 struggle. It”s going to be an important struggle, however I believe Bivol would possibly take off with a victory,” mentioned David Benavidez to Professional Boxing Followers, choosing Dmitry Bivol over Artur Beterbiev subsequent Saturday evening.
“That struggle, Bivol and Beterbiev, has obtained all the things,” mentioned broadcaster Adam Smith. “Do I lean barely in direction of one? Possibly Bivol, however Beterbiev boxed so properly towards Callum Smith that he can flip it on. He’s not simply an aggressive powerhouse; he can field superbly as properly.
“Bivol is an excellent technician. He’s not obtained the ability of Beterbiev, however he has obtained the talents. It’s going to be so tight. It’s an exquisite struggle.”
“In all probability Beterbiev as a result of he’s a really intelligent fighter, and he can bang, however I wouldn’t be shocked if Bivol gained,” mentioned Ben Whittaker.
“I’ve at all times fancied Bivol. It’s not a lot that he beat Callum Smith. It’s how he did it. It’s what he was doing. It’s what Beterbiev was doing that I discovered spectacular,” mentioned coach Dave Coldwell.
“He wasn’t exerting himself in any respect. He simply managed all the things. He managed each little element, and he managed the tempo rather well, which, as you’re getting older, you want to have the ability to do. That’s why I’m choosing Beterbiev as a result of, at 39, he isn’t displaying something.
“No hesitation. He isn’t displaying something the place I have a look at him and suppose, ‘He’s deteriorating.’ So, I believe I’m going to go along with Beterbiev on that one,” mentioned Coldwell.
The best way that Betebiev seemed so relaxed towards Callum Smith confirmed that he doesn’t waste power or stress out when coping with an influence puncher. Bivol is a unique fighter than Smith, however he’ll be attempting to harm Beterbiev in the identical method.
If Beterbiev can keep relaxed below fireplace towards Bivol, as he did towards Smith, he’s obtained probability of successful.