Artur Beterbiev, the undisputed light-heavyweight champion, is no stranger to grabbing headlines. With just a few weeks to go before his much-anticipated rematch against Dmitry Bivol, scheduled for February 22 in Riyadh, Beterbiev has become the talk of the boxing world. This rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, comes after their electrifying October 12, 2024 bout, where Beterbiev triumphed in a hard-fought match via a majority decision. The stakes are higher this time, with both fighters aiming to cement their legacy as the undisputed champion in the division.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Beterbiev has made waves. Just recently, he stirred up buzz by addressing a potential fight with Jake Paul. According to the reports, the Russian-Canadian undisputed champion was not pleased over the Problem Child’s victory against Mike Tyson in their November 15 bout, finding it surprising given Tyson’s legendary status. Beterbiev also stated he would be willing to fight the Cleveland native. However, Beterbiev brushed it off later, asserting his focus on “real boxing.” Moving forward, Beterbiev has now found himself in the spotlight, once again before his big fight.

Artur Beterbiev inching towards a successful defense

A training video, posted by the Boxing World Fans has gone viral, featuring him swinging a sledgehammer on a tire for an entire hour nonstop. The post read, “Beterbiev swung a sledgehammer at a tire for an entire hour nonstop.” While the intent was likely to showcase his intense conditioning and incredible stamina, fans flooded the comment section with humor and outright disbelief.

As the showdown approaches with Bivol, the Khasavyurt native’s viral moment could be a lighthearted distraction. Whether it’s a clever marketing move or simply an over-analyzed training session, only Artur Beterbiev knows. And now, with the video taking over the internet, fans have taken to the Instagram post poking fun at the remarkable feat.

No sweat, huh?

The first comment on the post was a sarcastic one. “Surely he would’ve been sweating if he swung it for an hour straight…??” queried a user. While this is a valid point, one should also remember the fact that professional athletes often have remarkable stamina and conditioning. It’s entirely possible that Beterbiev could maintain a steady pace without getting drenched in sweat. Another similar comment read, “I smell…bs” which captures the general sentiment of doubt among fans witnessing the feat.

One more blunt comment read, “Didn’t even look tired after.” Again, professional conditioning comes into play. What might seem ‘easy’ for him could be grueling for others. You need only recall the clip that went viral where Beterbiev was seen doing pushups on his knuckle, wrist, and fingertips in the lead up to the first fight.

Another detailed observation from a fan added fuel to the fire. It read, “Didn’t see any sweat spots on the ground or his arms. Shirt not caught to his skin at all…” It’s plausible that Beterbiev could have cooled down quickly, or the video was shot in a well-ventilated environment. Still, the absence of visible signs like sweat or a damp shirt makes fans question the authenticity of the hour-long claim made in the clip.

The wave of negative comments didn’t stop there as someone wrote: “Didn’t even break the tire, weak.” This comment misunderstands the purpose of sledgehammer training, which isn’t about destroying the tire but rather developing explosive power and endurance. Another user wrote, “This is some people’s job and they do it for longer.”

One person took it a step further by predicting, “Bivol is cooked I’m sorry.” Amid the negativities, some fans shifted focus to the upcoming rematch, predicting a dominant performance from Artur Beterbiev.

In simple terms, Artur Beterbiev’s video has become an unlikely sensation, sparking laughter and debates in equal measure. While fans are entitled to their opinions, it’s essential to separate performance from perception. Beterbiev’s training methods may seem exaggerated but they do not diminish his credibility as a world-class athlete. As fight night approaches, the focus will inevitably shift from social media chatter to the ring. So what are your thoughts on it? And, who do you think will win the rematch and why?