Artur Beterbiev emerged victorious in a contentious decision against Dmitry Bivol to clinch the undisputed champion title in the light-heavyweight division. The highly anticipated match took place in Saudi Arabia, where Beterbiev, the unified champion holding the WBC, WBO, and IBF belts, added Bivol’s WBA belt to his collection through a majority decision.
The judges’ scorecards reflected a close battle, with scores of 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 in favour of Beterbiev, with the last scorecard appearing notably wide. Bivol, known for his technical skills, faced off against Beterbiev, who boasts a perfect 20-0 record with 20 knockouts prior to this fight, showcasing his exceptional power in the ring.
Throughout the match, Bivol’s precise and strategic approach seemed to give him an early advantage, while Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and occasional displays of strength kept the fight intense. Bivol demonstrated courage and calmness, standing his ground against the hard-hitting Beterbiev and landing impressive combinations, although he had to navigate around the ring and resort to quick shots to evade his opponent’s power.
As the fight progressed, Bivol appeared to edge ahead in the middle rounds before Beterbiev surged back in the final frames, forcing Bivol to defend and hold on until the bell rang. The 116-112 scorecard in favour of Beterbiev raised eyebrows among spectators, with many believing a draw or a narrow victory for either boxer would have been more fitting. Despite the controversy, Bivol left the ring with his first professional loss (23-1, 12 KOs) and without his WBA title.
The bout between Beterbiev and Bivol captivated fans worldwide, with the consensus being that both fighters showed remarkable skill and determination throughout the match, underscoring the high stakes of the light-heavyweight division.