Dmitry Bivol made history on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, defeating Artur Beterbiev by majority decision to claim the undisputed light heavyweight title. This victory not only unified the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF belts but also handed Beterbiev his first professional loss. Here’s a detailed recap of the fight, key moments, and what’s next for both fighters.
Fight Recap
The Decision
- Judges’ Scorecards: 114-114, 116-112, and 115-113 in favor of Bivol.
- Result: Bivol (24-1-0, 12 KOs) becomes the undisputed light heavyweight champion.
- Beterbiev’s Record: Suffers his first defeat (21-1-0, 20 KOs) just a month after turning 40.
Fight Highlights
- Early Rounds: Both fighters started cautiously, with Beterbiev landing body shots and Bivol using his jab effectively.
- Mid-Fight Dominance: Beterbiev took control in rounds 3-7, landing powerful combinations and targeting Bivol’s body.
- Bivol’s Comeback: From round 8 onward, Bivol regained momentum with precise counterattacks and superior movement.
- Final Rounds: Beterbiev showed fatigue, while Bivol’s agility and accuracy sealed the victory.
Post-Fight Reactions
Bivol’s Statement
- On His Performance: “I didn’t have as much pressure as last time. I only wanted to work from the first round till 12th. I did enough.”
- On His Confidence: “I was better, I gave more, I was more confident, lighter. I really wanted to win!!! today.”
Trilogy Potential
- Both fighters expressed openness to a third fight, setting the stage for a potential trilogy.
Undercard Highlights
Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley
- Result: Stevenson defended his WBC lightweight title with a 9th-round TKO.
Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz
- Result: Split draw (114-115, 118-110, 114-114). Adames retained the WBC middleweight title.
Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole
- Result: Parker (36-3-0, 24 KOs) knocked out Bakole in the 2nd round to defend his interim WBO heavyweight title.
Agit Kabayel vs. Zhilei Zhang
- Result: Kabayel won by 6th-round knockout, claiming the interim WBC heavyweight title.
Callum Smith vs. Joshua Buatsi
- Result: Smith won by unanimous decision, securing the interim WBO light heavyweight title.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov
- Result: Ortiz Jr. won by unanimous decision, retaining the interim WBC super welterweight title.
What’s Next for Bivol and Beterbiev?
Bivol’s Legacy
- Historic Wins: Bivol now boasts victories over Beterbiev and Canelo Alvarez.
- Future Opponents: Potential matchups include a trilogy with Beterbiev or a move to cruiserweight.
Beterbiev’s Future
- First Loss: At 40, Beterbiev faces questions about his longevity in the sport.
- Trilogy Fight: A third fight with Bivol could be a chance for redemption.
Dmitry Bivol’s Victory
Dmitry Bivol’s victory over Artur Beterbiev cements his status as one of the greatest light heavyweights of his generation. With the undisputed title now in his possession, the boxing world eagerly awaits his next move. Meanwhile, Beterbiev’s resilience and power ensure that a potential trilogy fight would be a must-watch event.
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