Artur Beterbiev secured undisputed standing at light-heavyweight with a controversial win over Dmitry Bivol on Saturday.
Beterbiev entered Saudi Arabia as unified champion, holding the WBC, WBO and IBF belts, and he took Bivol’s WBA title through majority determination. The scorecards learn 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 in favour of Beterbiev, 39, with the latter scorecard seeming surprisingly huge.
Bivol, 33, is called the slicker technician, whereas Beterbiev is famed for his energy – which had cast a 20-0 report with 20 knockouts earlier than Saturday (12 October). And Bivol’s tidy work appeared to construct him an early lead, though Beterbiev regularly pressed ahead and sporadically confirmed his energy.
Bivol impressed together with his bravery and composure, usually standing in entrance of the tougher hitter and crafting trademark mixtures, though at many factors he was compelled to skip across the ring and throw brief photographs to discourage Beterbiev. Because the momentum swayed, Bivol appeared to drag forward within the center rounds, earlier than Beterbiev got here on robust within the ultimate frames – sometimes forcing Bivol to cowl up and maintain on for the bell.
Even so, the 116-112 scorecard within the Russian-Canadian’s favour will shock many viewers, with the consensus being {that a} draw or slender win for both fighter would have been truthful. Regardless, Bivol – additionally of Russian descent however with Kyrgyzstani heritage – will go away Riyadh with a primary skilled loss to his title (23-1, 12 KOs).
Re-live Beterbiev vs Bivol and the undercard motion, beneath:
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Steve Bunce’s main-event evaluation
Alex Pattle14 October 2024 15:26
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Consequence and response
What an eventful evening, from that enthralling foremost occasion to Wardley’s first-round KO of Clarke and Whittaker’s weird harm!
Alex Pattle13 October 2024 08:00
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Consequence and response
Alex Pattle13 October 2024 07:00
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Consequence and response
Alex Pattle13 October 2024 06:00
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Consequence and response
Alex Pattle13 October 2024 05:00
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Consequence and response
Alex Pattle13 October 2024 04:00
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Consequence and response
Alex Pattle13 October 2024 03:00
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Consequence and response
Alex Pattle13 October 2024 02:00
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Consequence and response
Alex Pattle13 October 2024 01:00
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Consequence and response
Alex Pattle13 October 2024 00:22
