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: Main event
Round eight
What an intriguing fight this is. It could go either way as the second half of the bout ticks on.
Tidy jab by Bivol. Both men throw teasing shots – nothing too powerful right now. Good cross by Beterbiev.
Bivol may be cut around his left eye, but he fires off a slick one-two. Another decent cross by Beterbiev, who then chases Bivol and misses with a hook.
Beterbiev throws a few more punches, but the accuracy is lacking.
A promising round for Bivol, right when he needed it.
77-75 to Bivol, for Indy Sport’s money.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round seven
Bivol with a nice one-two. He adds a jab and a right hook. Both men get behind their jabs.
Good, varied combination from Bivol. Beterbiev responds by chasing the younger boxer around the ring.
Two jabs just squeeze through Beterbiev’s guard. Lovely left hook! And Beterbiev felt that! Bivol is unloading punches, but now Beterbiev comes back!
Here we go, a firefight! Bivol is the one skipping around now, covering up! An uppercut lands for Beterbiev, and Bivol may be in a bit of danger? Beterbiev goes to the body now!
It was a good round for Bivol, but Beterbiev took it late! Is the momentum swaying??
“We have him now, Artur,” Beterbiev’s coach says. Bivol did well to stay calm in the final few seconds.
67-66 to Bivol, in my opinion.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round six
This is better stuff from Beterbiev, who is gradually investing in the body as well.
Teasing jabs by Beterbiev. Bivol blocks them, but he’s not throwing back much at the moment.
Now he opens up, with a few body shots then a few head shots. But as he extends the combination, Beterbiev finds his moments to counter...
Bivol is skipping again, and the crowd voices its anticipation... Beterbiev is unable to land a notable punch, though, and Bivol lets go with a short combination.
Beterbiev with one of his own, ending with a right hook to the body. The boxers grapple late in the round, which is very close.
We’ll just give Beterbiev the benefit of the doubt... 58-56 to Bivol, maybe.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round five
The pattern of the fight continues: Beterbiev on the front foot, but Bivol doing the much slicker boxing and occasionally turning up the dial.
Beterbiev with a hook to the arm of Bivol. Beterbiev is also flicking out his jab, not really landing but keeping Bivol honest.
Teasing jabs by Bivol, who lingers in front of Beterbiev a little dangerously... Well, very dangerously! But Bivol is able to circle out and get off his own shots.
More blocked punches by Beterbiev, but he is pressing the action. He lands a hard jab!
Bivol with his usual reaction: skipping around and throwing punches to keep Beterbiev off him.
But Beterbiev with another good jab, and a HARD body shot!
Left hook by Bivol, but that’s definitely Beterbiev’s round. 49-46 to Bivol?
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round four
Beterbiev with a hard jab as he comes forward. Bivol with a tidy guard – it needs to be just that.
Bivol with a step-back one-two, then a hook! Beterbiev can catch anyone at any time, but Bivol is so fun to watch.
Bivol mixes it up now, working in some hooks, but he’s forced to skip around again as Beterbiev looks to gain some respect.
Jab to the body by Bivol. Beterbiev just about lands an overhand right, but it is a grazing shot.
Bivol’s output has slowed for the time being. And just as I say that, he gets his jab going.
Beterbiev with a flurry at the end of the round, but Bivol still seemed to do the better work overall.
40-36 to Bivol, as Indy Sport sees it.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round three
Beterbiev presses forward, but he eats a trio of counter straights from Bivol, who now turns the screw! He’s picking his moments to add further shots, stinging Beterbiev.
Beterbiev still presses forward, however, in trademark fashion. He only needs one punch. And he lands a decent hook now! And another...
Bivol fires back, and Beterbiev responds with a flurry. The pace is quickening here! Bivol blocks a heavy hook.
The end of the round is a scrappy one!
It’s a closer frame, but Bivol just did a bit more. 30-27 to the WBA champ, perhaps.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
So, at the very end of that round, both men opened up just for a few seconds, and each seemed to show a bit of power in those moments. Beterbiev, of course, packed a bit more of a punch...
Round two
This is so tense already. Bivol with well-timed jabs as Beterbiev steps forward. Bivol turns those jabs into one-twos, but Beterbiev keeps a high guard.
Hard left hook by Bivol, which moves Beterbiev. Another left hook, blocked by Beterbiev.
Beterbiev stalks forward and fires off a cross, but it doesn’t beat the guard. Bivol with a jab then a one-two.
Beterbiev’s face is reddened. He tries to get some momentum, but Bivol skips around the ring. He then throws a series of jabs to keep Beterbiev off him.
Bivol 20-18, as I have it.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event
Round one
Bivol stares down Beterbiev, who mutters a prayer. And we’re under way – at long last, this fight is under way.
Both men stand orthodox. Bivol snaps out a jab first. He blocks a right hook and lands another jab. Beterbiev seems to be stepping on Bivol’s toe, but the younger man does the same in response.
More jabs from Bivol, to the head then the body, as Beterbiev presses forward. “Bivol” is the chant from the crowd. Unusually lively for a Saudi show, in all honesty.
More jabs from Bivol, who is standing in front of Beterbiev bravely – but managing range well so far...
Beterbiev jabs to the body now. Bivol tries a hook, but he doesn’t land all of it. He does land a cross, though, as part of a one-two.
Slick counter shots from Bivol, including a fine left hook. Beterbiev briefly pushes Bivol back to the ropes, but Bivol’s guard holds up.
Both men land hard right hands late in the round, and both men appear slightly wobbled – just for a fraction of a second!!
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main-event ring walks
The ring walks are finally upon us! Artur Beterbiev is out first.
The 39-year-old is 20-0 with a stunning 20 KOs, and he holds the WBC, WBO and IBF titles. He jogs to the ring.
Now here comes Bivol, 33, with a pro record of 23-0 (12 KOs). He is the reigning WBA champion.
Both fighters look anxious to get going.
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Main event up next
One more fight tonight: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol, for the undisputed light-heavyweight titles.
In the changing rooms, the champions are having their hands wrapped as we speak.
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