It’s power vs. skill. That’s how you can put Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol. Not that, that’s all they are. However, from afar, that is how most see it. The two champions have carved out a distinct reputation in boxing for themselves, and they both will be wary of each other’s weapon when they clash on October 12. While it’s a tough fight to call, Roy Jones Jr., the man who was the last undisputed light heavyweight champion, already has his pick. The legendary boxer has sided with the man who handed Canelo Alvarez his second career defeat.

Artur Beterbiev’s power and brute strength have worked wonders for him, as he has picked apart every single one of his opponents with a stoppage. Whereas, Dmitry Bivol has been a skilled operator, utilizing his long levers, hiding behind the perfect stiff jabs, and unloading punishment at the other end of his punches. So, when asked about his opinion about who could rack up the win and collect all four gold straps, Jones Jr. listed out flaws in Beterbiev’s power dependency.

In a conversation with Fight Hub TV, the 55-year-old pointed out how Beterbiev had been knocked down twice in his previous fights. Notably, Beterbiev, at 20-0, took a knee against Jeff Page Jr. in 2014 and then suffered a knockdown against Callum Johnson in 2018. Jones Jr. believed it was because of two reasons: either he was leaving himself open in a bad position while throwing punches or he couldn’t take a good punch. He said, “Both would be a mistake fighting Bivol.”

‘Superman’ continued and then listed Bivol’s qualities and contrasted these with Beterbiev’s weaknesses. He added, “He’s [Bivol] a very disciplined fighter. He’s always going to be in shape, and he’s always going to be Dmitry Bivol. But if you do anything out of the ordinary, such as throw too hard and get yourself off balance, or don’t take a punch as well as you throw a punch, you’re going to lose to Bivol.”

Therefore, to Roy Jones Jr., Bivol’s discipline and fundamentals would triumph over Artur Beterbiev’s hard punching. But for Dmitry Bivol, there is another factor, which he might have to deal with. What’s that?

Dmitry Bivol acknowledges the threat of Artur Beterbiev

The 33-year-old told Dan Rafael how he believed Beterbiev was strong too, along with his power and fighting style. He declared, “It’s not even about his punch, his body is strong. If you look at him, how he moves, how he’s wrestling when he’s in the clinch, you can see that he’s just strong. I just need to deal with this.”

But this is not the first time that Bivol faces a fighter with greater strength. He defeated Canelo Alvarez too, with his dedication and skills, and he is banking on both of these tools to do it one more time. It’s a fight with huge implications for both fighters’ careers, and it remains to be seen which one of the two will rise to the occasion and become the first undisputed light heavyweight champion of the 21st century.

What do you make of this assessment by Roy Jones Jr. about Artur Beterbiev? Do you agree with him? Let us know in the comments below.