Bivol defended his WBA light heavyweight title against Canelo in May 2022, pulling off an upset victory. He then took on Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight championship in Saudi Arabia in October 2023, where Beterbiev won by majority decision.
In a recent interview with Fight Hub TV, Bivol compared the power of the two boxers:
"I could compare [Beterbiev's power] with Canelo. He [Canelo] put all his energy and power in a single punch. Maybe a single punch sometimes Canelo is harder than Beterbiev, because Beterbiev was more close and compact. But if you ask them let's do five punches, Beterbiev every punch will be hard. With Canelo maybe first hard and then not [as much]. Both of them are strong but Beterbiev is bigger and he's born strong."
Bivol explained that Canelo's power comes from putting all his energy into a single punch. The Mexican star hits harder with his first shot, but the power drops off in subsequent punches.
On the other hand, Beterbiev's style is more compact and close-range. While his single punches might not pack the same initial impact as Canelo's, Beterbiev maintains his power throughout combinations. Bivol noted that every punch from the Russian-Canadian boxer is hard.
The former champion also pointed out Beterbiev's physical advantages. He's naturally bigger than Canelo and possesses innate strength.
Fans might get to see Bivol and Beterbiev face off again soon. A rematch is expected to be announced for the upcoming Riyadh Season card in February. The event in Saudi Arabia's capital might also feature Daniel Dubois defending his IBF heavyweight title against Joseph Parker and a big heavyweight showdown involving Zhilei Zhang.
With Bivol's insights, fight fans now have a clearer picture of what makes these two champions formidable in the ring. Each boxer brings a unique style and power dynamic, making their fights must-watch events for boxing enthusiasts.