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Retired world champion & boxing coach Anthony Crolla: “You can tell what a good fight it is because so many people are finding it hard to pick a winner, and I’m one of them. If I’m really pushed, I just don’t think Bivol will have the firepower to keep Beterbiev off. I see Beterbiev will wear him down and maybe get a stoppage around the ninth or 10th round.
“But I also wouldn’t be surprised if we see a very disciplined performance from Bivol where he outboxes Beterbiev, hit him and move him, similar to how he did against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.”
WBC lightweight champion Skye Nicolson: “It’s the typical brawler v boxer, and I have to back the boxer. I find it hard to see Bivol being caught in a situation he doesn’t want to be in. He’s so good at controlling the distance and pace of the fight.
“But if anyone can do it, it’s Beterbiev. My heart says Bivol.”
Retired world champion Barry Jones: “Beterbiev has to be a slight favourite. He’s knocked out punchers , he’s knocked out boxers and he can knock you out in the first round or the 12th. There is no round, second or minute when you’re really truly safe with him.
“But I will still go with Bivol. I just have a feeling that his intelligence, patience, discipline and calmness of approach might just be enough to ride the dangerous moments and get him through in a close decision.
“Bivol might have to get off the floor a couple of times but I think he could have an early enough lead to sneak home.”
British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley: “I am edging toward Bivol but this is probably one of the hardest fights to predict in boxing at the moment. It’s a real pick ’em fight with two men with completely different styles. Beterbiev is a destroyer who can clean through everyone. Bivol has great power but is such a clean and precise boxer.
“It’s a question of who can enforce their style best on the night and make the impact.”
Heavyweight Frazer Clarke: “I keep changing my mind. I’ve been saying Beterbiev the whole time but I now think Bivol could take this one. It’s a world class 50/50, though.”
Retired world champion Darren Barker: “I would have Beterbiev as the favourite. When you have that power, he knocks people down with jabs. How can you not have him favourite? Not massive, but at any point he could switch Bivol’s lights out. But I am going Bivol in a unanimous decision but a very close fight. What I mean by that is the rounds will be enough. I am going with the matador in this fight but I wouldn’t put my house on it.”
