Dmitry Bivol avenged his previous loss and defeated Artur Beterbiev by majority decision to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion.
The highly anticipated rematch took place at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night.
Bivol’s Tactical Adjustment Pays Off
Just 133 days after their first encounter, Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) and Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) stepped into the ring once again. Their previous fight in October 2024 had ended in a narrow majority decision for Beterbiev, but this time, Bivol came prepared with a refined strategy.
Rather than staying on his toes and constantly moving, Bivol chose to stand flat-footed in front of Beterbiev, a change that immediately made a difference. He used his sharp jab to control the pace, preventing Beterbiev from landing his powerful shots early in the fight.
Beterbiev’s Relentless Pressure
Despite Bivol’s strong start, Beterbiev, 40, did not back down. He continued to press forward, forcing a high-tempo fight. His body shots were particularly effective, wearing down Bivol as the fight progressed. The fifth round saw Beterbiev ramp up his aggression, landing heavy punches to the body and head that pushed Bivol around the ring.
Bivol Takes Control in the Later Rounds
Bivol, 34, regained his footing in the seventh round, using crisp combinations behind his jab. A key moment came in the eighth round when a short left hook forced Beterbiev to hesitate before attacking. As the rounds went on, Beterbiev’s punch output slowed, allowing Bivol to take control with clean, precise shots in the center of the ring.
In the final rounds, Beterbiev needed a breakthrough, but Bivol’s sharp counterpunching and superior conditioning gave him the edge. The 12th round saw a brief moment of danger when Beterbiev landed a strong right hand that stunned Bivol and opened a cut over his left eye. However, Bivol remained composed, clinching strategically to prevent further damage and seeing out the fight on his terms.
Judges Favor Bivol in Close Contest
After 12 intense rounds, the judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113, and 114-114, declaring Bivol the winner by majority decision. With this victory, he became the undisputed light heavyweight champion, cementing his place as one of the best in the division.
Other Notable Fights on the Card
The event also featured impressive performances from other top fighters:
- Joseph Parker claimed the WBO heavyweight interim title with a dominant second-round TKO victory over Martin Bakole.
- Shakur Stevenson successfully defended his WBC lightweight title, stopping Josh Padley in the ninth round by TKO.
Bivol’s victory over Beterbiev marks a significant moment in boxing history, and fans will now eagerly await what’s next for the new undisputed champion.
The Information is Collected from ESPN and Sky Sports.
