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Robert Garcia Picks Dmitry Bivol to Defeat Artur Beterbiev but There’s a Catch

Published 02/18/2024, 2:15 PM EST

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The wait is over! Boxing’s dream fight becomes a reality as undefeated champions of the Light heavyweight divisions, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol lock horns on June 1 in Saudi Arabia. Beterbiev, the wrecking ball with 20 KOs, clashes with Bivol, the slick boxer who gave Canelo Alvarez his second career loss. Can power overcome precision? Can Bivol repeat his magic?

One thing’s for sure: June 1st in Saudi Arabia promises fireworks as they battle for undisputed light heavyweight glory. Furthermore, the predictions are already flying in regarding the upcoming bout. Former boxing champion Robert Garcia, who held the IBF junior lightweight title from 1998 to 1999, also gave his opinions while making his pick for the winner of the fight.

Dmitry Bivol needs to touch, touch and move

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Boxing legend Robert Garcia thinks Bivol’s footwork will leave Beterbiev swinging in the air. But will brute force prevail or will Bivol be too smooth? He believes that Bivol might also face some trouble against the knockout king Beterbiev. He was told by the ESNEWS reporter that he believes Bivol will outbox his opponent.

In response, Garcia said, “I think so too. But he’s gotta be a better fighter than Beterbiev because with Beterbiev it’s f***ing hard. So one punch, f**k.” Elie Seckbach, then, added that Bivol would have to keep moving throughout the fight to avoid being hit.

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Garcia agreed, “Well that’s what Bivol’s gonna do. Just boom, boom, boom, touch, touch, and move and touch, touch, and move. But that power is always there, man. That power is the last thing that leaves,” adding that if Bivol can manage to avoid Beterbiev’s raw power, he has a chance of winning the match.

Even Dmitry Bivol has talked about Beterbiev’s power and how he looks at it being one of the toughest fights of his career. He commended not only his power but also his technique.

Artur Beterbiev has a good technique

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In one corner stands Beterbiev, a force of nature known for his relentless pressure and devastating punching power. With a perfect record of 20-0 and every fight ending in a knockout, he’s earned the moniker ‘The Punisher’. His aggressive, front-foot approach leaves opponents in awe, often wilting under the relentless storm.

Across the ring, Bivol presents a different challenge. The WBA champion, Dmitry Bivol, boasts an equally impressive 22-0 record, but his victories showcase a more technical, tactical approach. So, Bivol said, “Yeah to be honest I believe that it’s the hardest test. Why? Because he’s stronger. I know he’s physically stronger… and he has good technique too. Many people talk about his power, but they forget about his technique because his power is too much better than his technique. But he’s still good and has good technique.

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So, the boxing fans are quite excited about this matchup, and it’s something that’s not to be missed. What are your thoughts about this? Let us know in the comments section.

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Written by:

Chirag Radhyan

2,066Articles

One take at a time

My passion for sweet science began at the tender age of 12, a gift from my father who introduced me to the legendary persona of Muhammad Ali. In my heart, 'The Rumble in the Jungle' still remains to be the pinnacle of sporting history. Over the years, my fervor for boxing remained intact, although life's commitments sometimes deviated me from being a hardcore fan of the sport.
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Edited by:

Gokul Pillai