BETERBIEV VS. THE GREATS
problems for Artur. This is a tough call, but I’ll go with Spinks by decision.” BETERBIEV: 2-1
to offset Beterbiev. Beterbiev by wide decision.” BETERBIEV: 3-0
Beterbiev’s shadow and was behind his countryman in the pecking order for the national team. The two met in 2007 and Beterbiev won a razor- close decision, 25-24. Kovalev turned professional two years later and went on to win the WBO title against Nathan Cleverly and then IBF and WBA titles against aging legend Bernard Hopkins. He twice bludgeoned Jean Pascal before controversially losing to Andre Ward, who also beat him in a rematch. In his prime, he was a rangy power-puncher with underrated boxing skills. A meeting with Beterbiev would feature fight- ending power on both sides. Beninati: “This would be a fun fight for the first five rounds, but Beterbiev is too strong – better athlete, better chin and better puncher. Artur would KO Kovalev late.” Bottjer: “Fun fight, as a prime Kovalev puts any 175-pound great at risk. I can see Beterbiev down early and Kovalev down late, then Beterbiev taking a 12-round decision in an exciting war. Beterbiev will threaten to stop Kovalev late, but Sergey has enough moxie to navigate out of trouble and make the final bell.” Katz: “This would be a bruiser of a battle. I could easily see both guys on the deck, but in the end Beterbiev stops him late.” BETERBIEV: 3-0
Six tournament, scoring wins over Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch along the way. He moved up to light heavyweight and became a unified champion there as well, capping off his career with a pair of victories over Sergey Kovalev. He was regarded by many as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Although not a big puncher, Ward was technically superb and a very well-rounded fighter, able to box one round at a time and piece together dominant decision wins. Beninati: “Artur is too strong and all wrong for Ward. Ward’s best tactics against hard hitters would be holding and trying to outsmart them. I was the matchmaker for the Super Six tournament years back; I saw my share of Andre Ward fights. Andre was great, but Artur – as a former wrestler – would be too strong, and that would be advantage Beterbiev. Beterbiev, 12-round unanimous decision.” Bottjer: “Beterbiev’s the bigger man here, and he won’t falter down the stretch. Ward is a genius, a jazz player who cannot be predicted or timed, and he’ll have some nice eye-catching moments. But Beterbiev will just grimly grind away and take eight or nine rounds in a 12-round match. Beterbiev by decision.” Katz: “Andre possessed great skill and high I.Q. and had enough power to keep guys honest. I see him winning a comfortable decision.”
BETERBIEV VS. MICHAEL SPINKS
BETERBIEV VS. ANTONIO TARVER
Spinks was a member of the hugely successful 1976 U.S. Olympic team, capping a standout amateur career with gold in Montreal. After turning professional, he quickly established himself with a snappy jab, excellent boxing skills and a right hand that earned him the nickname “Spinks Jinx.” He became the undisputed champion by defeating Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (UD 15) and Dwight Muhammad Qawi (UD 15). Spinks made 10 defenses in total before jumping to heavyweight, where he twice bested Larry Holmes (UD 15, SD 15). Beninati: “Spinks was a great light heavyweight. He was very underrated. Good boxing I.Q. He had a decent chin, if you take out the Mike Tyson fight. However, Artur is too strong and too tough. Advantage Artur. Late KO for Beterbiev.” Bottjer: “Wonderful matchup. A prime Spinks cleaned out a loaded division in the early 1980s and never lost as a light heavyweight. I still think Eddie Davis deserved the nod over him. Spinks KO’d eight of 11 opponents in world title fights at light heavyweight, but Beterbiev is the puncher here. On paper, this ends in a KO. In my mind, Beterbiev takes a decision over the awkward Spinks, who can’t get his man in trouble.” Katz: “The right-hand equalizer of Spinks and his movement could present
Tarver was a gifted amateur who worked his way up the professional ranks the hard way before eventually beating Montell Griffin to become world champion. The charismatic American lost a controversial majority decision to Roy Jones Jr. but shocked the world by stopping the pound-for- pound great in the second round of their rematch. “The Magic Man” had excellent fundamentals and a solid chin, but it was arguably his ring I.Q. that allowed him to bounce back with a vengeance, winning three of the four return bouts against those who’d beaten him. Beninati: “Tarver was a great, great defensive fighter. Great boxer and good chin. If he stays away, he wins a close decision. Tarver, 12-round split decision.” Bottjer: “Intriguing matchup, as the tall, talented southpaw gives anyone fits. Tarver has all the tools to win this fight, and if they fought multiple times, he’d definitely come out on top at least once. But with one fight, everything on the line, a prime Beterbiev lands the more punishing, eye-catching punches and wins a close, controversial decision.” Katz: “Beterbiev walks Tarver down and punishes him for a mid-rounds KO.” BETERBIEV: 2-1
BETERBIEV VS. VIRGIL HILL Hill captured silver at the 1984
BETERBIEV VS. ROY JONES JR. Jones may have been robbed of gold at the 1988 Olympics, but his otherworldly speed and impressive power set him apart from everyone else as a pro. After garnering titles and pound-for-pound recognition at 160 and 168, he moved up to light heavyweight and became the undisputed champion. Across various divisions, the Florida native beat the likes of Bernard Hopkins, James Toney and Virgil Hill, even snagging a heavyweight title against John Ruiz. It was only after he peaked and his powers waned that he became mortal. This would have been a really intriguing style matchup. Who would have been whose kryptonite? Beninati: “Great fight. Roy in his prime could have been top 10 pound- for-pound one of the best of all time. Beterbiev would bring nonstop pressure, but Roy was just too good in his prime. I think Roy wins and could stop Beterbiev. Roy Jones Jr. KO.” Bottjer: “Jones was too fast and too smart and had enough power to keep Beterbiev at bay. This match is exciting, but not because of the amount of blows landed. It’s tense throughout, as the threat of Beterbiev ending the fight with one punch will keep the audience riveted. But he won’t land that punch.” Katz: “This might be tougher than expected. Roy’s one weakness may have been his chin. Roy would use all his athletic skill and speed to keep Beterbiev off-balance and win a hard- fought decision.” JONES: 3-0
Olympics before embarking on what would be a successful professional career. He won the WBA 175-pound title and reeled off 10 defenses, often at home in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he enjoyed fervent support and was something of a franchise before coming unstuck against living legend Thomas Hearns. Hill quickly regained the vacant title and posted a further 10 defenses, which included going to Germany and annexing the IBF title from Henry Maske. He later added a cruiserweight title in the twilight of his career. Hill was an excellent boxer, but could he handle Beterbiev’s aggression and pressure? Beninati: “Virgil Hill was a good fighter but not great. Maybe Hill vs. [Sergey] Kovalev would be a much closer and better fight. Artur is too strong and too good. I was there when Roy Jones Jr. knocked out Hill, and Artur would do the same. Artur by KO.” Bottjer: “A one-sided fight. Hill gets stopped, as his fine jab will only keep him in the fight for six rounds or so until Beterbiev lands the punches that bring the end. Beterbiev in seven.” Katz: “As skilled as Virgil was, he just didn’t have the strength or power
BETERBIEV: 2-1
RESULTS: (BETERBIEV WIN)-(“GREAT” WIN)
BETERBIEV VS. ANDRE WARD
BENINATI: 5-7 BOTTJER: 8-4 KATZ: 5-7
Ward was a standout amateur and is still the last American male to win gold at an Olympics, doing so in 2004. He turned professional at middleweight, then claimed Ring, WBA and WBC super middleweight titles en route to winning the Super
When Andre Ward announced his retirement in 2017, Beterbiev was well- positioned to fight for the vacant IBF title.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk, and you can follow him on X @AnsonWainwr1ght.
BETERBIEV VS. SERGEY KOVALEV In the amateur days, Kovalev lived in
60
61
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker