Artur Beterbiev is the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion after a divisive majority decision win over Dmitry Bivol.
Beterbiev added Bivol’s WBA belt to his WBC, WBO and IBF titles, extending his record to 21-0. It was the first time he went the full 12 rounds while Bivol suffered his first defeat. Bivol began the opener well as he was landing the jab. He doubled up on it, connecting with his right hand as Beterbiev started slow.
Strong start for Bivol 👌#BeterbievBivol #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/tI7kSVCAuM
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 12, 2024
However, Beterbiev maintained control of the center. He caught Bivol’s attention with a big right hand in the third as he worked himself into the fight, while Bivol kept moving around the ring. Bivol responded with a right cross, but Beterbiev took it cleanly, with no impact as he walked forward.
In the sixth, Bivol was backed up on the ropes. Beterbiev landed upstairs, grazing Bivol’s head with a right cross as he found himself on the ropes. Bivol was breathing heavier as Beterbiev was putting his combinations together. However, Bivol fought back in the seventh. He buzzed Beterbiev with a combination on the ropes.
ROUND SEVEN 🔥#BeterbievBivol | LIVE ON @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/6CWPK9ggSQ
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 12, 2024
READ: Canelo’s Unfinished Business: A Rematch with Bivol
Beterbiev reacted by backing up Bivol, who was forced to cover up. Neither man was backing down. Bivol’s backhand landed on the body in the ninth, followed by a cross that popped Beterbiev’s head. Beterbiev’s corner was clear that he needed a KO following the tenth. Beterbiev went for it, unleashing a flurry of punches as Bivol slowed down in the 11th. However, Bivol held his ground only to come up short on the scorecards, dividing the boxing community: 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112.
THE FINAL BELL.
To the scorecards in Riyadh we go 👑 #BeterbievBivol pic.twitter.com/0gcuaEuwhl
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 12, 2024
THE SCORECARDS. @ABeterbiev takes the Majority Decision 👑 pic.twitter.com/Cg9vNbQ7D8
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 12, 2024
Post-Fight
“I don’t have any explanation, because it would look like excuses. I just congratulate Artur and his team, they deserve it. [And] I did my job. I felt that I could do better, it just… some opinion of judges… Congratulations, Artur. I didn’t see this fight. He won, what can I say?,” Bivol
“In one of the biggest fights of our generation, the most important fight of Dmitry Bivol’s life, you give him four rounds? It’s disgusting. You heard Beterbiev’s corner in the 10th round: They told him he had to knock him out. Top Rank knew he’d lost. I’m absolutely baffled and disgusted. I don’t want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev… That judge should never work again. Four rounds [to Bivol] in a fight of this magnitude is disgusting,” Hearn
Full Card
Fabio Wardley defeated Frazer Clarke by first-round TKO (2:28).
Jai Opetaia defeated Jack Massey by sixth-round TKO (2:00).
Chris Eubank Jr. defeated Kamil Szeremeta by seventh-round TKO (1:50).
Skye Nicolson defeated Raven Chapman by unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 98-92).
Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron ended in a split draw after an injury caused by both fighters falling out of the ring (58-57, 57-58, 58-58).
Mohammed Alakel defeated Jesus Gonzalez by unanimous decision (40-36 x3).
Marco Maric defeated Christian Lopez Flores by unanimous decision (40-36 x3).
