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Message: [QUOTE="JAXCUSE, post: 4285213, member: 516"] I agree. Talent, experience and skill matters most of all. But styles also make fights…. And probably more importantly, an ability to adjust if “Plan A” fails. Except for Bivol, there isn’t another elite boxer in the division. I think that’s why Canelo jumped to Light Heavy and tried to give it a go…. Like the Heavyweights, the most athletically gifted larger Americans are playing a different sport these days…. Because of that, you might be right - he’ll retire undefeated. Really good / great fighters find a weakness or tendency in their opponent’s game and exploit it. It can be really subtle (hand speed, level and angle of punch, how they reset the guard, feet placement at long range/midrange/in close, head location during exchange, shoulder dip before a punch, what sequence of punches the opponent likes to use, etc). Sometimes the opponent has the ability to adjust. Sometimes he doesn’t…. Especially if he get’s clipped early. Then we get a blowout…. Beterbiev (in broken English) described it best in the post-fight interview - “Joe is kinda open and easy to hit when he moves forward….” Or something like that. Lol….. I think Smith’s brain trust reviewed tape of Beterbiev’s fight with Callum Smith and thought they could use that blueprint. Try to get him quickly. I was talking to myself during the 1st Rd - “Is Smith really gonna keep doing this?” Stopped jabbing, coming forward at a predictable pace and throwing wide pineapples. Walking into a puncher’s return fire. After he was countered (heavily) and “slipped” I was waiting for an adjustment. Nope. Got dropped at the bell. Came out in the 2nd and did the same thing. No adjustment. Couldn’t fight off back foot. Fight over…. He mentally checked out, like Ward said during the broadcast. I’m not a trainer, but would have tried a “Plan B” different approach after the 1st and made the Russian come to me. Like Callum Smith did after a tough 1st rd. Give yourself at least a chance to use that “musket.” Granted, easier said than done…. Going forward is what got him to this fight in the first place. Didn’t have the versatility to do anything else. Had never been hurt in the ring like that before and didn’t know how to react or adjust against a foe that was stronger, better and had him completely figured out. Everybody “bandwagons” fighters (heck I do too). So and so looked good in the last fight so he must be the next best thing…. Promoters market the heck out of it to us. But I still believe styles make fights. Marcus Browne (like Callum Smith) gave Artur a decent scrap in a previous bout. And he’s not elite. I disagree with the “media cheerleaders” now squawking that because Beterbiev smoked Smith, he’d do the same to Canelo. And that Bivol now has no chance against this wrecking ball. Neither does Zurdo Ramirez. Only guy with a prayer is Tyson Fury. Etc, etc…. I like Artur allot, but this “prognostication” is over the top (like everything else in today’s media). I think Beterbiev is the best 175 lber in the world. Have thought so for several years now. Strongest, most suffocating pressure fighter in the game today. Just keeps coming. Very Marciano-like. But, he can be neutralized during periods of a fight (Gvodzyk did so for about 5 rds). He’s old with many “amateur miles” on the odometer. Chin has been dented more than once (but he always gets back up). He cuts. Even living like a monk and training like a psycho isn’t gonna preserve his prime into his 40’s. And Bivol is younger, very skilled, has faster hands and is also very (amateur + pro) experienced. He might have the tools to control Beterbiev at distance. My only question - is he strong enough to keep Artur at range over 12. I wouldn’t bet on that right now. But, Dmitri is smart and versatile (he ain’t Smith) and think it (should) be a fascinating matchup. Hope it doesn’t “marinate” too much longer. But afraid it will…. [/QUOTE]

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