Artur Beterbiev shocked the boxing world by becoming the undisputed light-heavyweight world champion, defeating Dmitry Bivol on a majority points decision at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena. The bout in Saudi Arabia saw the Russian-born Canadian unify the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF titles—an achievement not seen since Roy Jones Jr. unified these belts in 1999. At 39, Beterbiev showcased resilience and determination to outlast the 33-year-old Bivol, his fellow Russian rival, in a closely contested technical matchup.
Going into the fight, sportsbooks had Bivol as the favorite with odds at -126, reflecting his undefeated record and recent performances. Many, however, bet on Beterbiev, viewing him as the underdog. Those who backed the Montreal-based fighter were rewarded, as two of the three judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 for Beterbiev, while the third had it even at 114-114.
This match was the first time Beterbiev, known for his perfect record of knockouts and stoppages, went the full 12 rounds. Bivol’s agile footwork and defensive prowess made him the first fighter to go the distance against the hard-hitting champion. Fans looking to place wagers on future fights should explore betting predictions to make smarter choices before placing their wagers. A popular and attractive promotion currently available is the Unibet promo code, which boosts your bankroll.
The Fight
The clash had been highly anticipated, especially after it was delayed from June due to Beterbiev’s knee injury. Both fighters entered the ring undefeated, with Bivol holding the WBA belt and Beterbiev reigning as the WBC, WBO, and IBF champion. The stakes were high, and the tension was palpable as the two men battled for supremacy in the light heavyweight division.
From the opening bell, Bivol utilized his fluidity and mobility, aiming to keep Beterbiev at bay with precise, early strikes. His movement and technical prowess saw him control much of the early rounds, making it a difficult start for the champion. However, as the fight progressed, it became clear that each round was tightly contested, with neither man willing to yield.
Beterbiev, known for his aggressive and heavy-hitting style, was forced to adapt. Acknowledging his discomfort after the fight, he admitted, “I wanted to box more, I don’t like this fight. I was a little bit uncomfortable because usually I’m not waiting for the bell.” Despite this, he shifted the momentum in the latter stages, pushing the pace and applying relentless pressure. In the final two rounds, Beterbiev turned up the heat, landing powerful shots as he sought to sway the judges in his favor.
Bivol, to his credit, stood firm and retaliated with strong combinations, refusing to be overwhelmed. In his post-fight comments, Bivol showed sportsmanship, saying, “I just congratulate Artur and his team, he deserves it. I did my job, I felt I could do better, but that’s the opinion of the judges. He won.” He hinted at a possible rematch, suggesting that he felt he could improve and challenge Beterbiev again in the future.
A Historic Night and Its Impact
The bout in Saudi Arabia was more than just the main event. The evening also featured other notable fights, including Australia’s Jai Opetaia retaining his IBF cruiserweight world title after a dominant performance against Jack Massey. Massey’s corner threw in the towel in the sixth round as Opetaia advanced his undefeated record to 26-0.
Additionally, history was made when Skye Nicolson, an unbeaten Australian, successfully defended her WBC featherweight title in the first-ever women’s world title fight in Saudi Arabia. She defeated Britain’s Raven Chapman by a unanimous points decision, signalling a shift in the acceptance of women’s boxing in the region.
The night wasn’t without drama, as British fighters Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron ended their light heavyweight fight in a draw after a chaotic sequence where both men tumbled out of the ring. Meanwhile, the British heavyweight title fight saw Fabio Wardley stop Frazer Clarke in the opening round, adding to the event’s explosive atmosphere.
Summary
Beterbiev’s victory not only solidified his position as the top fighter in the light heavyweight division but also highlighted his adaptability and determination to win even when not at his best. With talks of a possible rematch already circulating, the division’s future looks set for more high-stakes action, as fans eagerly await the next chapter in this gripping rivalry.
