Dmitry Bivol defeats Artur Beterbiev in a split-points choice to say light-heavyweight world title in Saudi Arabia.
Russian Dmitry Bivol avenged a earlier defeat to take the undisputed light-heavyweight world title from Artur Beterbiev on a majority factors choice in an epic rematch in Saudi Arabia.
The judges scored Sunday’s battle in Riyadh 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113.
The earlier encounter final October, when each went toe-to-toe as unbeaten champions, ended with precisely the identical rating however to Russian-born Canadian Beterbiev who added the WBA belt to his WBC, WBO and IBF ones.
This time, Bivol, 34, was higher on the evening, transferring up a gear and taking the battle to his bearded older opponent, now 40, with dedication and fashionable mixtures.
The 1-1 consequence opens the way in which to an inevitable third conflict between the 2.
“Really, I didn’t need the second battle, it wasn’t my alternative, however no downside. We’re going to do a 3rd battle,” Beterbiev, who didn’t shake Bivol’s hand, mentioned within the ring after the scores had been introduced.
Bivol mentioned he was up for any problem however wanted a relaxation after his exertions.
“I need to heal myself just a little bit and are available again,” mentioned the Russian, who ended the battle with blood streaming from the highest of his left eye.
“I didn’t have as a lot stress like final time. I simply needed to work from the primary spherical till the top of the twelfth. I did sufficient and I received this.
“I used to be higher, I used to be pushing myself extra, I used to be extra assured, I used to be lighter and I simply needed to win a lot at the moment.”
Bivol had the higher of his opponent over the primary three rounds, however the champion discovered his rhythm within the fourth in a livelier battle than the primary one however nonetheless with little to separate the 2.
On the ultimate bell, neither boxer might make certain of the end result, each ready for the scores to be learn with out celebrating upfront.
“I don’t need to discuss in regards to the choice – it’s powerful. Congratulations to Bivol’s crew,” mentioned Beterbiev, who might declare the ultimate spherical.
“I believed this battle was higher than the primary battle, however we’ll see. Now could be my time to return again.”
Earlier, three-times world champion Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC light-weight title after stopping stand-in Josh Padley, a British electrician who had three days to organize for the battle, on the finish of 9 rounds.
Former WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker stopped one other late alternative Martin Bakole in two rounds of their WBO Interim bout.
