Artur Beterbiev is the new undisputed champion at light heavyweight after beating Dmitry Bivol by majority decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight was a closely contested affair, with both fighters displaying their skills and determination throughout the 12 rounds. However, the judges' scorecards sparked controversy, with many believing the decision was not justified.
Ahead of this historic matchup, there was very little separating the two men and this contest epitomised it perfectly. Beterbiev, as expected, looked to jump on the front foot, but it was Bivol who enjoyed the early success. Bivol’s slick footwork and movement put him in control, and he was applying the perfect strategy to avoid the ever dangerous puncher Beterbiev. By landing perfectly executed combinations before escaping his opponent’s range, Bivol was able to frequently force Beterbiev to reset.
In round four, something switched for Beterbiev who realised that he now had to dictate the pace of the fight and this meant forcing Bivol to the edge of the ring. This tactic appeared to remove some sharpness from Bivol who struggled to replicate what was working in the earlier rounds.
As the rounds progressed, the pace also changed with Beterbiev stalking Bivol around the ring who was kept quiet.
Then in round seven, Bivol rocked Beterbiev, but this seemed to work against the WBA light heavyweight champion as it rattled his opponent who landed a few punches of his own, and this round of two halves was one which this writer struggled to score and reluctantly had to mark as 10-10.
A fight such as this where mentality is arguably a bigger challenge than physicality, was taking its toll on both fighters, and in round nine, Bivol’s facial expression read tunnel vision and he returned to those perfect combinations which caused Beterbiev to struggle once again.
With momentum swinging towards Bivol, Beterbiev’s corner realised what was at stake and at the start of the eleventh, ordered their fighter to search for the knockout.
Like a warrior being given their final orders, Beterbiev went on the hunt for an early finish, letting his hands go and causing Bivol to panic who was throwing very little back.
Beterbiev kept up this hunt in the twelfth and final round despite a late flurry from Bivol, this fight was brought to a fitting close.
Anyone associated with boxing was finding it difficult to separate the two with one judge scoring it a 114-114 draw.
The other two ringside judges meanwhile gave the win to Beterbiev with scores of 115-113 and 116-112, the latter card is already causing chaos in the boxing world.
With a fight as agonisingly close as this, a rematch is already being demanded, and with both fighters appearing to want a second meeting, 2025 could be another big year for boxing.
If a Beterbiev vs. Bivol rematch does get made, round 13 cannot come soon enough, but Beterbiev must first be allowed to enjoy this historic feat as the first undisputed light heavyweight champion of the four belt era.
Beterbiev's Controversial Victory Sparks Debate
The judges' scorecards, particularly the 116-112 scorecard in favor of Beterbiev, sparked controversy, with many fans and experts expressing their disbelief.
While some argue that Beterbiev's relentless pressure and late surge in the fight warranted the victory, others maintain that Bivol's early dominance and overall control of the fight should have secured him at least a draw.
Eddie Hearn, Bivol's promoter, was particularly vocal in his criticism of the scoring, stating that it was “disgusting” to give Bivol only four rounds in a fight of such magnitude. He went on to say that the judge who scored the fight 116-112 should never work again.
Frank Warren, Beterbiev's promoter, also expressed his surprise at the scorecard, saying that he had it to Bivol by “a couple of rounds”. He called the 116-112 scorecard “ridiculous” and “a joke”.
Bivol, while acknowledging Beterbiev's victory, expressed his own confusion over the scorecard, stating that he felt he could have done better but couldn't explain the judges' decision. He simply congratulated Beterbiev and his team.
Beterbiev, on the other hand, acknowledged Bivol's skill and stated that he didn't fight amazingly against the younger man. He also expressed his openness to a rematch.
What's Next for Beterbiev and Bivol?
A rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol seems inevitable. Both fighters have expressed their desire to settle the score, and fans are eagerly anticipating a second encounter.
While Beterbiev will now enjoy his undisputed status and the historic feat of being the first to hold all four major light heavyweight titles, the controversy surrounding the scorecard will likely linger. The question on everyone's mind is, will the rematch provide a definitive answer to who truly deserves the undisputed title?
The Aftermath of a Great Fight
Despite the controversy, the fight itself was a thrilling display of boxing prowess. Beterbiev and Bivol showcased their skills and determination, putting on a show that will be remembered for years to come.
The fight highlights the importance of clarity and consistency in scoring, and the need for a more transparent and objective judging system in boxing. Regardless of who you felt won the fight, it's clear that Beterbiev and Bivol are two of the best light heavyweights in the world, and their rematch will undoubtedly be a must-watch event.
