 "Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol: Puncher edges out consummate boxer in high-quality chess match")
The light heavyweight division has a new undisputed champion. Artur Beterbiev edged out Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh in fight that could have gone either way.
Beterbiev, who extended his record to 21-0 but lost his perfect KO streak, got the majority decision on the judges’ scorecards –115-113, 116-112 and 114-114.
Bivol, now 23-1, offered no complaints about the judges’ scorecards but can arguably feel slightly hard done by – especially by the 116-112 verdict.
I scored the bout a draw – 114-114 – though I would have no complaints for anyone scoring it 115-113 in favour of either fighter.
This was the first undisputed title fight in the division since 2002 and was the first time all four major world titles — WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC — have been up for grabs in the four-belt era.
🥊🔥🇸🇦❤️👑🤴 pic.twitter.com/9ZKwPtFD4J
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) October 12, 2024
Though the fight didn’t have the fireworks that many expected, it certainly was a high-quality chess match between two top talents.
As expected, Bivol came out firing.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe Russian used his fast hands and feet to flurry, score points and then get out of firing range.
His speed and movement seemed to bother Beterbiev in the early stages of the match up.
Bivol, while not known as a huge puncher, nevertheless landed several crip and clean shots that kept Beterbiev on his toes.
By round 5, Bivol had settled comfortably ahead on most observers’ scorecards.
However, the second half of the fight, particularly the championship rounds 10, 11 and 12, belonged to Beterbiev.
The Russian-Canadian went to the body early and then again late. He constantly hit Bivol with jabs and right and left hooks.
By the end of the 11th round, Bivol was covering up more and more and throwing fewer punches.
The energy he had expended simply by moving all night and trying to keep Beterbiev off had left him looking drained – though he did somewhat show signs of life and fight in the 12th and final round.
One can only imagine how things would have turned out were this a 15-round fight.
Would Beterbiev eventually have knocked out Bivol? Or would Bivol have gotten his second wind?
Once again, boxing is left poorer for its decision to do away with the 15-rounder.
The judges’ cards came as a surprise to many on social media – which had the less knowledgeable members of the public crying ‘robbery.’
While there is no contractually-obligated rematch, Turki Alalshikh, the most powerful man in boxing today, wants one.
Alalshikh, the adviser to the Saudi Arabian court and chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said he thinks Bivol won and that he would try and make the rematch.
One can argue that such a scenario would favour Bivol.
Not only does he have age on his side – Beterbiev would likely be 40 by the time the two step into the ring and has a history of injuries – but also the invaluable experience of facing Beterbiev.
History also favours the boxer-puncher over the swarmer in rematches.
Both fighters remained fairly equanimous in the ring after the decision and gave each other their due credit.
Close fight, but Beterbiev aggression and volume won him the fight. Beterbiev pushed the pace, blocked so much & did more damage. Also he won the championship rounds and finished stronger. Wouldn’t mind seeing this again. pic.twitter.com/GnkzmsJxvw
— Adam Azim (@adamsuperkid) October 12, 2024
“I feel not bad,” Beterbiev said to DAZN after the fight. “I wanted to box with more quality. I’ll be better one day. It was a little bit uncomfortable.”
“Of course, it was a tough fight because Dmitry is a tough champion and he has tough skills, better than me.”
“During the fight, we always try to change something,” Beterbiev said. “I didn’t deliver more punches, I don’t know. Today I am lucky too.”
“I am a warrior. I have no explanation because it looks like excuses. I am a warrior,” Bivol told DAZN. “I don’t know, I did my job but I felt like I could do better but it was just the opinion of some judges.
“Congratulations to Artur. He is powerful, very powerful. I have a bruise from my hand, he hit it and it was so hard.”
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