TANK DAVIS, BIVOL-BETERBIEV, CANELO AND THE SAUDIS || FIGHTHYPE.COM

Every Thursday here at FightHype, I pull out my gigantic, bulbous, bulging sack and give truth-minded boxing fans a gander. This week, I shoot my ropes of truth all over comments/questions regarding Bivol-Beterbiev, Canelo and the Saudis, and Tank Davis.

Bivol-Beterbiev

Hey Paul,

Just a comment today. IMO I don’t think anything that has transpired in 24 rounds suggests that Bivol or Beterbiev is better than the other. It might just be two elite level fighters whose strengths and weaknesses offset each other.  I believe Beterbiev is the more powerful and physical of the two. On the other hand, I believe that Bivol is the better boxer.

If neither fighter makes any major adjustments in camp, the only outcome I can see in a trilogy is a draw. Which is probably fitting. Let’s be honest, both guys have been successful at this for a long time. I think that they should just admit that their skill level is on par with each other and move on. 

Regards.

— Reggie Cannon

Hey Reggie. 

Bivol and Beterbiev are definitely evenly-matched. I have a slightly different take on things, however. 

I saw Bivol winning the first fight and also winning this second one. Plus, of the two, I saw Bivol as the only one who was able to make adjustments. Beterbiev is strong and persistent, but he never really adapted to his opponent’s style. His only adaptation was to do more of what he usually does. Bivol, meanwhile, has shown a higher ring IQ and an ability to tweak his game plan, especially in their second fight. That’s why I rate Bivol above Beterbiev, but not by a whole lot.

A part 3 is totally justified, though. This time around, I think Bivol wins a little more comfortably. 

Canelo and Riyadh Season

Paul, say it ain’t so! Harsh words for Canelo. Who did he sell out? Was it his fans, the Mexican people, the PBC? You would think he’d throw the Benavidez fight into the deal in order to satisfy his fan base. Conversely, you’d think Turki would mandate the Benavidez fight within that 4 fight deal.  I’m all for Canelo cleaning out the honey jar, but as time goes by, the Benavidez duck looks worse by the minute. 

Did you see the amount of no shows at this past weekend’s card? Daniel Dubois was sick, “cough cough!” He didn’t even show up to defend his belt. Shakur Stevenson fought an Uber Driver. Floyd Schofield didn’t even bother taking the title shot.  Very rarely does someone back out of a title fight the week of. Doesn’t it seem strange that two fighters backed out of a championship bout on the same card? Is the money getting funny?  I recall back to when many were asking DAZN and PBC to show their receipts and profit loss statements. I’d love to see Turkis! 

— Na’-il Rahman

Hey Na’-il.

Canelo sold out boxing and he sold out his Mexican fans. With this deal, which will take him out of reach of his Mexican fans for three of the next four fights, he basically told everyone who helped build him into a star to go fuck themselves. I know there was a lot of money dumped at his feet by the Saudis, but he was already making a shit-ton of money picking and choosing his fights. It’s a silly question to ask of someone who is clearly engorged in greed, but how much money does this guy need?

As for Benavidez? I don’t think he’s in Canelo’s plans at all and I also think Turki is fine with that, as long as he continues to be a Riyadh Season property. So much for Turki only wanting to “make the best fights.”

Two high-profile fighters backing out of a card the week of the event is strange. I don’t think it’s a money issue, though. But you never know and nobody will ever really know since the Saudis own the media covering their events and offer zero transparency when it comes to their operation. I can guarantee you, however, that they are absolutely hemorrhaging money. They have to be. How long they are willing to operate in the red is the question. Even the free-spending Saudis will eventually get tired of losing money. 

Tank Davis-Lamont Roach

Hey Magno.

Are you still down on Tank Davis vs. Lamont Roach this Saturday? I know you said some pretty critical things about this fight when it was first announced. Have you softened to it yet? I’m low-key anticipating that it’ll be more competitive than many think. What’s your prediction?

— Damon

Hey Damon. 

I just think it’s a wasted fight date for Tank who, at 30 years of age, should be piling up legacy-defining fights right now. It’s not that Roach is a bad fighter, it’s just that Tank should be having bigger fights against top 2 or 3 guys in his own division. I know the argument will be that Lomachenko bailed on a proposed fight and Shakur grabbed at Matchroom/Saudi money rather take on Tank– and that may be true– but what about the years before that? I’m someone who greatly respects Tank’s abilities and ranks him as one of the most dynamic talents in the sport today. That’s why I want to see him matched against fellow greats and legit challenges. What he’s done throughout this prime of his career is beat good-to-very good fighters who, physically and stylistically, are really no match for him. I’m critical because I want more and I want him to hammer home the legacy he deserves. I still have very little interest in this Roach fight as anything other than yet another showcase. I think this fight follows the pattern of other Davis showcases. It’ll be close for a few rounds as Tank finds his space and his pace. Then, he’ll lower the boom and end things somewhere between rounds 8 and 10.

Got a question (or hate mail) for Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack? The best of the best gets included in the weekly mailbag segment right here at FightHype. Send your stuff here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com.