Beterbiev defeats Bivol for boxing world champion crown

Russian-born Canadian boxer Artur Beterbiev defeated Russian opponent Dmitry Bivol via majority points decision in Saudi Arabia to become the undisputed light-heavyweight world title.

At Saturday’s bout at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, two of the three ringside judges gave the fight to Beterbiev, scoring 115-113 and 116-112, while the third judge declared it a draw, at 114-114.

Beterbiev, 39, had won all 20 of his prior fights via knockout; nevertheless, in the wee hours of Sunday morning in Riyadh, his fellow Russian opponent stretched the 39-year-old to the limit in a bout that included many momentum changes and was nearly too close to call.

The two top fighters in the division never really engaged in the fight; Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) exploited his speed to score early strikes, while Beterbiev warmed up to the challenge in the middle rounds until a late barrage in the closing rounds seemed to seal the victory.

Beterbiev, who was the undisputed champion going into Saudi Arabia, had the titles of WBC, WBO, and IBF. He also won Bivol’s WBA championship by majority decision. The scorecards for Beterbiev read 114–114, 115–113, 116–112, 39, with the final scoresheet being shockingly wide.

Though Beterbiev is renowned for his strength, Bivol, 33, is regarded as the slicker technical. Before Saturday (12 October), Bivol had amassed a 20-0 record with 20 knockouts. Additionally, Bivol appeared to get off to a head start thanks to his neat work, even if Beterbiev persisted in pushing forward and occasionally displayed his might.

Despite sometimes having to bounce about the ring and throw short swings to dissuade Beterbiev, Bivol made an impression with his daring and poise as he stood in front of the heavier striker and created signature combinations. Bivol appeared to get the upper hand as the fight’s momentum wavered in the middle rounds, but Beterbiev surged ahead in the closing moments, occasionally compelling Bivol to cover and hang on until the bell.

Both Russians shown patience in the first few rounds, but Bivol’s pace started to bother Beterbiev. He then started to work with his left jab and right hook.

In the fifth and sixth rounds, Beterbiev started to hit his right hook, which put Bivol on the defensive and started to reverse the tide.

In the seventh round, both boxers launched attacks, igniting the battle. Bivol pushed Beterbiev into the ropes with a powerful left, but Beterbiev countered with a short left hook and a strong jab, and both men had sustained damage by the end of the round.

In his 20 prior fights, Beterbiev had only advanced past round seven five times. However, Bivol was going to win this one because he was once more the more aggressive fighter through rounds eight and nine.

However, Beterbiev returned with a powerful round to end the fight on a note of uncertainty. He then carried on the attack into the eleventh, winning the round with an uppercut and a right hook to Bivol’s body.

In an attempt to maintain his amazing record of winning every fight within the distance, Beterbiev picked up the pace even more in the last round. While he didn’t quite do enough to seal the deal, Bivol managed to save his countryman from receiving a knockout blow.

Beterbiev vs. Bivol official scorecard

Artur Beterbiev def. Dmitrii Bivol via majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 116-112)

Judge Manuel Oliver Palomo: 114-114 draw
Judge Glenn Feldman: 115-113 Beterbiev
Judge Pawel Kardyni 116-112 Beterbiev