Odds have nudged slightly in the direction of WBC light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-0, 14 KOs) since our first look at the odds earlier this week. Gvozdyk was previously a narrow -125 favorite to defeat IBF champion Artur Beterbiev (14-0, 14 KOs) in their unification clash on Friday night at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.
However, most online sportsbooks now list Gvozdyk between -130 and-137. There’s not a whole lot to choose between the fighters. Both are undefeated. No common opponents in the pros. Beterbiev defeated Gvozdyk ten years ago in the amateurs. Gvozdyk has stopped 10 of his last 11 opponents, while Beterbiev has stopped all 14 of his foes.
ESPN will televise Gvozdyk-Beterbiev in the States, a showdown that for fight aficionados, is as good or better any of the recent boxing pay-per-views. Oddly, no UK platform has picked up the fight.
I certainly hope Atlas has improved Gvozdyk’s anemic jab and head movement since his last fight against Adonis. Gvozdyk was down on points on my score card until Adonis’ age caught up to him which ended in a KO. Gvozdyk wastes so much energy moving and planting his feet before he hits and when he does hit, it seems to be so repetitive and predictable in style. A polished fighter would capitalize on these mistakes. Some may disagree which is ok, because this is what opinions and observations are made for…
I think we can be certain that Teddy noticed any existing weakness or deficiency in Gvozdyk’s boxing style. I am sure that Gvozdyk will be extremely well prepared for this fight. Whether it will be enough for Beterbiev (who has his own minor flaws), will be seen.
Teddy Atlas tutelage will make a difference in this fight. I don’t think there is anything that Teddy would possibly overlook in a fighter. I don’t like certain aspects of Teddy’s personality but I still consider him one of the best trainers on the planet. Gvozdyk made the right decision to work with him.
Beterbiev, who is already 34, is trained by Marc Ramsey and John Scully, who are both highly accomplished. I still think Gvozdyk has the edge in terms of improvement over the past few months, just because of working with Teddy.
No matter how one wants to look at this fight: these are two of the best light heavyweights in years, and the winner will be on course to become one of the best LHWs in history. Both are currently already stronger than Kovalev and the only thing that will stop the progress of these two fighters will be age.
Flawless analogy Stonefree.
Dude, you obviously have no idea what you’re watching to say what you just said. If you had Gvozdyk down on the cards in the 11th you really DKSAB. Anemic jab? Repetitive, doing the same thing? Wow, just wow. He literally had Adonis off-balance for the majority of that fight with his lateral and circling movement. I guess ‘The Nail’ will have to prove himself like the rest of the Ukrainian badasses that make up the #1 and #4 p4p. I am confident he will do it.
Vegas oddsmaker always go with the aficionados. Gvozdyk is the better boxer and the overall better fighter.