Beterbiev edges past Bivol in controversial result after undisputed fight - live reaction
Artur Beterbiev won the undisputed light-heavyweight titles, staying unbeaten and handing Dmitry Bivol his first loss – but due to a controversial scorecard
Artur Beterbiev secured undisputed status at light-heavyweight with a controversial win over Dmitry Bivol on Saturday.
Beterbiev entered Saudi Arabia as unified champion, holding the WBC, WBO and IBF belts, and he took Bivol’s WBA title via majority decision. The scorecards read 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 in favour of Beterbiev, 39, with the latter scorecard seeming surprisingly wide.
Bivol, 33, is known as the slicker technician, while Beterbiev is famed for his power – which had forged a 20-0 record with 20 knockouts before Saturday (12 October). And Bivol’s tidy work seemed to build him an early lead, although Beterbiev continually pressed forward and sporadically showed his strength.
Bivol impressed with his bravery and composure, often standing in front of the harder hitter and crafting trademark combinations, although at many points he was forced to skip around the ring and throw short shots to deter Beterbiev. As the momentum swayed, Bivol seemed to pull ahead in the middle rounds, before Beterbiev came on strong in the final frames – occasionally forcing Bivol to cover up and hold on for the bell.
Even so, the 116-112 scorecard in the Russian-Canadian’s favour will surprise many viewers, with the consensus being that a draw or narrow win for either fighter would have been fair. Regardless, Bivol – also of Russian descent but with Kyrgyzstani heritage – will leave Riyadh with a first professional loss to his name (23-1, 12 KOs).
Re-live Beterbiev vs Bivol and the undercard action, below:
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Result and reaction
Eddie Hearn: “In one of the biggest fights of our generation, the most important fight of Dmitry Bivol’s life, you give him four rounds?
“It’s disgusting. You heard Beterbiev’s corner in the 10th round: They told him he had to knock him out.
“Top Rank knew he’d lost. I’m absolutely baffled and disgusted. I don’t want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev...
“That judge should never work again. Four rounds [to Bivol] in a fight of this magnitude is disgusting.”
Frank Warren says he had it to Bivol by “a couple of rounds”. He says “116-112” to Beterbiev is “ridiculous” and “a joke”.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Result and reaction
Bivol: “I don’t have any explanation, because it would look like excuses. I just congratulate Artur and his team, they deserve it.
“I did my job. I felt that I could do better, it just... some opinion of judges... Congratulations, Artur. I didn’t see this fight. He won, what can I say?”
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Scores
Beterbiev says he’s open to a rematch. He admits Bivol is likelier the more skilled boxer, and says he didn’t fight amazingly against the younger man tonight.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Scores
Artur Beterbiev def. Dmitry Bivol via majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 116-112).
Wow. When they read those scorecards, I assumed it’d be Bivol. That 116-112 feels... yeah...
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round 12
Here we go! Final round, it’s still up for grabs, potentially...
Beterbiev marches forward, but Bivol stays active. At first they’re teasing shots, then he loads up.
Both men are throwing. Right now, Bivol is doing the slightly better work. He’s getting moved about, though.
There’s some more grappling, briefly. Beterbiev with some dangerous output, but Bivol is just about evading the worst of it.
Beterbiev with a right to the body, then a left hook upstairs. Bivol fires back! A clinch ensues.
They separate, 45 seconds left. More grappling. Beterbiev regains momentum. Another clinch.
Bivol lets his hands go now. Ten seconds left. Beterbiev with some hammer left hooks. They brawl to the final bell!
Wow. What a fight. A chess match. It will be VERY close on the scorecards.
The final round, for me, goes to Beterbiev. That means I have it 114-114, a draw!
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round 11
Beterbiev’s corner has told him he needs a KO. This could get even spicier!
Decent counter cross by Bivol. He throws a straight to the body then a hook upstairs – lovely work. Beterbiev tries to corner Bivol, but he can’t keep him there.
Bivol with another eclectic combination. He’s fought smartly but also bravely. Beterbiev with a fine moment now, though! He’s swarming Bivol, who is trying to cover up and stay mobile!
A cross and hook land for Beterbiev, and Bivol briefly grapples! A hard body hook by Beterbiev. There’s still a minute left in this round...
Bivol grapples again, and he’s warned for holding his opponent’s head. Bivol is not throwing, he’s just covering up and trying not to be moved backwards.
Beterbiev, meanwhile, continues to unload. Bivol makes it to the bell, but that’s a great round for Beterbiev.
105-104 to Bivol, as I have it. It may all come down to the final round!!
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round 10
Beterbiev stands from his stool and bounces on his feet. Bivol, sporting a determined look, does the same.
Beterbiev boxing with some necessary urgency now, throwing straights to the body then the head. Bivol stays mobile with a smart guard.
Beterbiev is intermittently breaching that defence, though. He hooks to the body. Bivol shoves him away.
Beterbiev misses with a right hook, and Bivol – who has been reserved in this round – opens up now. Hooks and crosses get through for the younger fighter.
He then ties up Beterbiev. They separate, and Beterbiev turns up the dial again! Bivol shells up, just aiming to get to the bell safely...
Beterbiev’s round. 96-94 to Bivol? Into the championship rounds we go.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round nine
Bivol jabs to the body. Beterbiev sees a hook blocked upstairs, and Bivol replies with a rapid one-two.
Bivol manages range well, just evading a cross from Beterbiev. A hook lands hard for Bivol.
The WBA champion slings a cross at the waist of Beterbiev. Mature work from Bivol at the moment. Still, Beterbiev is dangerous until the final bell.
Is the older fighter just resting a bit in this round? One minute left in this frame.
Bivol blocks a cross then replies with an extended combination! Beterbiev marches forward anyway, undeterred, and Bivol ties up the unified champ in the final seconds of the round.
87-84 to Bivol, perhaps.
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