Beterbiev vs Bivol: Disputed Undisputed Result
Artur Beterbiev became the undisputed light-heavyweight champion with a controversial majority decision victory over rival Dmitry Bivol in Saudi Arabia.
In a captivating fight that the boxing world had long been waiting for, scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112 were awarded in Beterbiev’s favour to see him fully unify one of boxing's most historically illustrious divisions.
The anticipated showdown proved exactly why both men were hailed as two of the best pound-for-pound of the sport today, with Beterbiev being taken the 12-round distance for the first time in his career at 39 years of age.
Despite the backlash from a close but widely disputed decision from the ringside judges, Beterbiev became the first undisputed ruler at 175 pounds in the 21st century; since Roy Jones Jr back in 1999.
It was yet another sharp performance from Bivol, who showcased his usual slick skills and incredible ring intelligence throughout 12 bravely composed rounds, in what surprisingly ended with his first career setback.
But both men immediately welcomed a future rematch in light of the highly dubious scorecards and showed class towards each other following their elite level main event spectacle.
Beterbiev vs Bivol Fight Reaction
In a battle between two of the best jabs in the sport today, it was Bivol who established his more effectively throughout the opening round and landed the eye-catching shots while safely circling against the notoriously slow-starting Beterbiev.
The unified champion is used to walking his opponents down but Bivol’s free-flowing jab and ring generalship saw him keep centre ring mainly and refuse to be bullied backwards during the second round.
In the third, Bivol continued to hold the centre and showcase his exceptional ring generalship while throwing precise flurries and counters from behind a high guard. But Beterbiev was able to finish strongly after finally finding the target.
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In trademark Beterbiev fashion, the Russian-Canadian began to pick up the pace after the opening rounds and push Bivol back with his calculated pressure. Though the latter remained composed on the back foot and kept circling off the ropes; utilising his footwork and solid jab.
The widely expected pattern of the fight had come to fruition by the midway stage, with Beterbiev giving up an early lead but coming to life and piling on the pressure on the front foot. Bivol remained off the ropes and countered swiftly but his rival’s body shots and relentless approach looked to be having an impact.
After a motivating talk in the corner from his coaches, Beterbiev came out for the seventh round and brought the action but had to withstand a quick-fire onslaught from Bivol, including a stinging left hook which rocked him.
Both men looked to be reserving energy in the eighth, in what had become a battle of the highest level as anticipated, but Bivol let his hands go precisely in the final seconds to appear to edge the round.
After nine rounds of superb technical boxing from Bivol, he initiated the first clinch of the fight to tie up the imposingly incoming Beterbiev and gain a few seconds of rest from the constant pressure before the Championship rounds.
Despite fatigue from both after such an elite level contest, it was Bivol who showed his class in the 10th round with disciplined ring intelligence and a clinical right hand-left hook combination which caught the eye at a crucial stage.
Beterbiev’s corner team told him he needed a knockout ahead of the 11th round and it was a rally cry which worked, with the unbeaten champion enjoying his best three-minute spell of the fight - as Bivol shelled up and was forced to dig deep.
It all came down the 12th and final round in the awaited showdown to become undisputed champion; closing in on unchartered territory for Beterbiev, who had never gone the distance in his career to this point.
Under immense pressure right up to the final bell, Bivol showed the grit and determination of a champion, as well as the ring savviness to buy valuable moments of rest, to see out an incredible clash and seemingly secure a famous triumph.
But it wasn’t to be, with the judges in Saudi Arabia siding with Beterbiev by majority decision to see him crowned as the undisputed light-heavyweight champion and set up a likely rematch in 2025.
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Header image: Matchroom Boxing