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Artur Beterbiev prevails to become undisputed light heavyweight champion with win over Dmitry Bivol
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Updated 13/10/2024 at 01:25 GMT+1
Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to top a stacked card featuring a host of title fights. Both men went into the fight as a champion and with unbeaten records, and the brutally strong Beterbiev put his three belts on the line against the talented technician Bivol, who boasted a single strap. Ultimately, it was Beterbiev who emerged victorious.
Highlights: Beterbiev defeats Bivol in majority decision to become undisputed champion
Video credit: TNT Sports
Artur Beterbiev became the undisputed light-heavyweight champion after defeating Dmitry Bivol by majority decision on Saturday night in Riyadh.
Bivol and Beterbiev had been circling one another at the top of the light-heavyweight division for years, both boasting unbeaten records, both hogging the titles at 175lbs.
Perhaps it was inevitable that Riyadh Season would provide the platform for another of modern boxing’s potential classics, with both sides perhaps in the last years of their prime.
Beterbiev has at times looked a fraction less quick than in his most fearsome years, while after squashing Canelo Alvarez, Bivol had often appeared to box within himself, relying on technique instead of power.
Both fighters started with unbeaten records, and the first round was an even affair as Bivol used his jab well to counter Beterbiev’s start on the front foot, with the second round much the same.
Beterbiev edged the third, with some more open aggression, and he further increased the tempo in the fourth.
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'Bivol was robbed' - Hearn unhappy with result as Beterbiev defeats Bivol
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The match-up appeared relatively balanced into the halfway point, but many observers fancied Beterbiev - with his 100% knockout rate - to finish strongly.
Both fighters let their hands go in the seventh round as Beterbiev took the initiative after initially being caught by a couple of heavy connections.
Bivol approached the championship rounds knowing he was likely behind on the judges’ scorecards and needed to force himself into the fight once again, but his older opponent consistently dominated the later stages of each of the closing rounds.
The judges ultimately gave Beterbiev the edge, 114-114 115-113 116-112.
A rematch may now be on offer for both fighters, if they want it. Beterbiev is 39 though, and he may now look to retire after a brilliant career, or could pursue a move up to cruiserweight.
Watch decisive moment Beterbiev defeats Bivol via majority decision
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The 33-year-old Bivol, for his part, has asserted himself as the very best at the weight, and it remains to be seen if anyone but Beterbiev can credibly challenge him after years of dominance that has only now drawn to a close.
Earlier in the night, Chris Eubank Jr. stopped Kamil Szeremeta before attention turned to an in-ring confrontation with his antagonist, Conor Benn, as the chances of a fight reared its head once more.
Skye Nicholson successfully defended her WBC featherweight belt against Raven Chapman. Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron fought to a technical draw after the pair both tumbled out of the ring, leaving Whittaker unable to continue.
Later, Jai Opetaia had little trouble against Jack Massey, retaining his IBF cruiserweight strap when his opponent’s corner threw in the towel.
In the co-main event, Fabio Wardley delivered a brutal first-round knockout win over Frazer Clarke.
Highlights: Wardley produces explosive first-round knockout against Clarke
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