Dmitry Bivol becomes undisputed light heavyweight champ with majority decision over Artur Beterbiev

Dmitry Bivol beat Artur Beterbiev by majority decision on Saturday to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion, claiming Beterbiev’s four championship belts and avenging his first career loss four months ago.

Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) won 116-112 and 115-113 on two scorecards, while the third judge had a 114-114 draw. Beterbiev (21-1), who took his first career loss, won their first bout by a majority decision with the same three final scores.

Bivol turned the rematch in his favor in the middle rounds, showing off his punching precision and elusiveness. He stayed away from Beterbiev’s power, which threatened to decide the bout early on, and scored with counterpunches while Beterbiev’s energy flagged.

Although Beterbiev stunned Bivol with a right hand that opened a cut above Bivol’s left eye in the 12th, Bivol hung on for the victory.

The main event in Riyadh was a rematch of the light heavyweights’ entertaining first title bout last October 12 at Kingdom Arena. Beterbiev won that narrow majority decision while going the distance for the first time in his career.

Bivol’s supporters decried the verdict that made Beterbiev the first undisputed light heavyweight champion in the four-belt era, and several statistical measures backed up their anger. A quick rematch was natural, and the Saudi promoters made it happen atop a title fight-studded card.

Bivol faded in the final three rounds of their first fight, throwing hundreds fewer punches than he managed in his career-defining upset of Canelo Alvarez.

Bivol came out slugging with Beterbiev in the rematch, but Beterbiev upped his aggression and effectiveness starting in the third, closing the distance on Bivol and punishing the challenger with body shots.

Beterbiev appeared to be on the verge of a physically dominant victory, but Bivol increased his activity and counterpunching in the middle rounds to turn the fight yet again while Beterbiev tired.

Artur Beterbiev in action during his fight with Dmitrii Bivol.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

Bivol rose to stardom in 2022 with his impressive victory over Alvarez, thwarting the Mexican superstar’s attempt to win a world title in the fifth division. Bivol defended his WBA light heavyweight title and picked up the IBO belt in three subsequent victories before losing both to Beterbiev.

Beterbiev, a 40-year-old Russian based in Montreal, had held at least one light heavyweight title belt since 2017.

On the undercard in Riyadh, New Zealand’s Joseph Parker stopped Martin Bakole in the second round to win the WBO interim heavyweight title. Bakole, who took the fight two days ago after Daniel Dubois fell ill, was easy work for the 33-year-old Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) in his sixth consecutive victory.

Shakur Stevenson also retained his WBC lightweight title with a stoppage of late replacement Josh Padley, who gave a game effort before his corner threw in the towel following three knockdowns in the ninth round.

Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) was in control from the opening round, but the American did little to silence the critics who claim he lacks a finishing instinct before finally securing a stoppage.