The Fighting Style of Artur Beterbiev

While we pay respects to his early career and how it developed his style of fighting - this article purely focuses on breaking down HOW HE FIGHTS.

Artur Beterbiev is known for his strength and relentless aggression.

With an undefeated professional record, Beterbiev has made a name for himself in the light heavyweight division. His journey, from Dagestan to success highlights his unyielding commitment and exceptional skills.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into Artur Beterbiev’s style of fighting.

Artur Beterbiev’s Early Career

Beterbievs's boxing career kicked off in the terrains of Dagestan, Russia.

Growing up in that culture and environment shaped his no-nonsense attitude towards the sport. His initial training was intense, blending boxing methods with the grit and scrappiness of wrestling.

Guided by coaches Beterbiev refined his techniques in both disciplines.

Having been immersed in combat sports from an early age, Beterbiev laid the groundwork for his future in boxing. The combination of boxing and wrestling exposure equipped him with striking and grappling abilities.

Despite encountering obstacles like being expelled from wrestling and boxing gyms at times - his passion for boxing drove him to persevere.

In his amateur days as a boxer, he achieved success winning several national titles and performing well in international competitions. While he didn't secure an Olympic medal, his amateur record of 295 wins and 5 losses speaks volumes about his talent and experience.

Today, his professional record stands at 20 wins and 0 losses.

All 20 of Artur Beterbiev’s wins have come by knockout.

Artur Beterbiev’s Footwork and Stance

Artur Beterbiev is known for his brutal power and calculated pressure.

Beterbiev isn’t a fighter known to aimlessly rush in, he takes his time to figure out his opponent's movements and rhythm before he commits - and once he has figured you out, the relentless forward momentum begins…

While he is known for his offense, Beterbiev’s defensive abilities are world-class. He utilizes a strong high guard and sound footwork to evade strikes while seamlessly transitioning between offense and defense.

Rather than relying on head movement, he focuses on his footwork and a solid high guard. He takes most punches on his glove or forearms with subtle movements so he can maintain his balance and throw a counter.

On the topic of balance, a huge key to his fighting style is his stance.

Beterbiev is generally always perfectly balanced with his weight evenly distributed between both feet, ready to come forward behind his punches or defensively move linearly to get himself out of danger.

His broad stance gives him a foundation, for delivering punches enhancing his stability and power. This stance reflects the principles of boxing which prioritize a base and technical precision.

Talk to any boxing coach around the world… Footwork is the foundation of our sport. To learn more about boxing footwork, check out our article here.

In addition to his stance, Beterbievs footwork is incredibly efficient.

He uses small shuffling steps to maintain balance and keep pressure on his opponents. This tactic allows him to control the ring and get in-distance of his opponents, where he can unleash his powerful knockout punches.

Beterbiev definitely won’t win any style points for his style of fighting…

But for real fans of the sweet science and fellow fighters like us, he will impress with his fundamentally correct footwork and balanced stance.

Artur Beterbiev’s Jab

Beterbiev utilizes his jab as a tool to probe opponents into attacking, enabling him to exploit their vulnerabilities for counterattacks.

His traditional, yet powerful shotgun jab not only helps him gauge his distance, it’s also a statement that lets him establish control of the ring.

The power from his jab alone makes opponents respect it.

Artur Beterbiev is also is a master of distance management.

This is once again leveraged through his jab to dictate the space between him and his opponent whether he needs to close in for an explosive combination or maintain a safe distance.

The precision and versatility of Beterbiev’s jab play a pivotal role… It's not just a punch it's a dynamic tool that shapes the pace of the fight.

 

Artur Beterbiev’s Combinations

Beterbiev’s steady balance and planted feet play a role in enhancing the impact of his close-range strikes making him effective in close combat.

Artur strategically sets up his power punches by starting with jabs before unleashing his combinations. When he corners his opponents under pressure Beterbiev throws shots that manipulate their defenses.

Beterbiev’s short punching style doesn't require winding up to deliver hits.

As a result, opponents struggle to anticipate whether each punch is probing or damaging leading them to respect and defend against every strike as if it were potent – draining their energy faster, in the process.

When you take into account Beterbievs reputation as a power puncher, the pressure on his opponents intensifies as they find themselves in a spot against the ropes or on the defensive.

Beterbiev also incorporates uppercuts and hooks into his arsenal.

For instance, he strategically uses uppercuts to break through defenses and set up hooks - when targeting face-to-face with an opponent he often switches to body shots before targeting the head.

Artur Beterbiev’s keen eye for detail and fight intelligence are often overlooked due to his reputation as a power puncher. He carefully studies how opponents react to his probing shots, feints, changes in levels, and regular strikes constantly adapting to exploit their weaknesses.

Artur Beterbiev’s Hybrid Soviet Style

While not adhering entirely to the traditional boxing style seen in Russian fighters, like Dmitry Bivol, Beterbievs approach mirrors Gennady (GGG) Golovkin's aggressive Kazakh style of fighting. 

However, Beterbiev still shows the influence of his training, in the boxing system and his successful amateur career. He combines the soviet boxing style with an aggressive approach to pressure fighting.

His broad stance gives him a foundation for delivering punches improving his balance and power generation. This stance is a feature of the boxing method focusing on stability and technical accuracy.

Apart from his stance, Beterbievs footwork is deliberate and effective. 

He uses small shuffling steps to maintain balance and keep pressure on opponents. This strategy allows him to control the ring and corner his opponents restricting their movement and counterattacking opportunities.

To learn more about the Soviet Style of boxing, read our article here.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitriy Bivol

A showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol would bring together contrasting fighting styles. The fight, initially set for June 1 2024 had to be delayed after Beterbiev sustained a knee injury during training.

The awaited bout has now been rescheduled for October 12 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Bivol is known for his footwork and solid defense techniques setting him apart from Beterbievs approach. The upcoming clash between these two world-class fighters is bound to captivate boxing fans.

Bivols technical prowess will test Beterbievs ability to apply pressure and land his punches effectively. Conversely, Beterbievs relentless attacking style will challenge Bivol’s skills to the fullest. Both fighters bring strengths to the ring making this match a must-see for lovers of the sweet science.

Beterbiev’s skill in trapping opponents and maintaining pressure will play a role in this battle. He must strategize ways to limit Bivol’s mobility and engage in combat where he can showcase his strength.

On the other hand, Bivol will need to rely on his footwork and defensive maneuvers to evade Beterbiev’s attacks and counter effectively.

Who do we have? It’s a tough call, but we’re going with Bivol by decision.

Dmitry Bivol brings a style of boxing that not even Canelo could defeat, and we break down his Soviet Style of boxing in this article.

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Resumen

Artur Beterbievs's fighting style blends brutal power, calculated precision, and unwavering aggression - leading him to an impressive 20-0 undefeated professional record, all with knockout wins.

His unique blend of the Soviet Style paired with a ruthless in-your-face approach and calculated mind sets him apart from other boxers.

He proves to be a difficult opponent for anyone in the light heavyweight division, with his ability to stay balanced and apply devastating force.

The upcoming fight, between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev is set to be a showdown of contrasting styles. Beterbiev’s aggressive approach will go head-to-head, with Bivol's defense.

Who do you have winning? Let us know!

Want more boxing tips and news? Check out our full list of articles here.

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