DINH DOONG

There’s a lot to unpack in this matchup, so let’s dive right in.

The first thing to note is how, in the early rounds, Dmitry Bivol effectively neutralized Artur Beterbiev’s jab by countering it with his own. Beterbiev often initiated with a jab, but Bivol adeptly parried it, positioning his head safely outside of the punch’s trajectory. Rather than reaching for the jab, Bivol timed his parries perfectly, allowing him to counter with his own jab immediately after.

Throughout the fight, Bivol showcased his ability to land his signature pendulum jab, particularly when his opponents were resetting or when the rhythm of the fight slowed down. He took advantage of moments when Beterbiev would reset with an L-step, countering each time with a well-placed jab that kept Beterbiev at bay.

In the early rounds, Bivol controlled the tempo, using his jabs and counters to keep Beterbiev from establishing dominance. However, as the fight progressed, Beterbiev began to pick up his pace and make crucial adjustments. One effective strategy he implemented was using a jab feint to bait Bivol into countering, which would then set him up for a powerful right hand.

Beterbiev’s feints were designed to confuse Bivol, but Bivol remained composed, refusing to fall for the bait. Instead, he maintained his defensive strategy, which became increasingly necessary as Beterbiev found his rhythm. As the fight wore on, Bivol stopped countering Beterbiev’s jabs as frequently, likely due to the increasing risk of being caught by one of Beterbiev’s powerful right hands.

Once Beterbiev’s jab began to find its mark, he was able to unleash combinations, utilizing jabs to occupy Bivol’s guard and setting up his right hand. Even though Bivol blocked many of these right hands, the power behind them was evident, causing visible damage and forcing Bivol to retreat.

What stood out was Beterbiev’s physical presence; he was able to pressure Bivol simply by inching forward, forcing Bivol to move and giving up space. This was particularly crucial in later rounds when Bivol found himself close to the ropes. Beterbiev capitalized on this, applying relentless pressure that made it difficult for Bivol to escape or set his stance for a counterattack.

 

Beterbiev’s strategy included mixing body shots into his attack, further slowing Bivol down and keeping him guessing. This shift in target from head to body added another layer of unpredictability to Beterbiev’s offense.

A significant adjustment Beterbiev made was reducing the telegraphing of his jab. In the earlier rounds, he had a noticeable movement before throwing his jab, which Bivol was quick to recognize. By the later rounds, Beterbiev delivered his jab with less movement, allowing him to land clean shots without warning.

Overall, this fight was a fascinating display of strategy, adaptability, and sheer willpower from both fighters. Bivol’s initial control and tactical prowess were met with Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and powerful combinations, making for an engaging and dynamic contest.

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