Boxing
Dmitry Bivol gets revenge against Artur Beterbiev in undisputed light heavyweight title rematch
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Dmitry Bivol is the new undisputed light heavyweight champion after beating Artur Beterbiev to inflict the first defeat of his career on a majority decision in their egarly anticipated rematch in Riyadh.
Just like the first fight, it was one which was watched in awe as both men gave it their all in another thrilling 12-round showdown.
Beterbiev was looking to march Bivol down in the opening round, but just like the first fight Bivol was able to swerve his way out of trouble and landed a left hand to try and gain his opponent’s respect.
Bivol kept busy in the second, his jab landing with ease as he tried to slow down the marching Beterbiev. A Bivol right hand was the standout moment, landing flush on the defending champion and for Bivol it was clear that he was looking to catch the judges’ eye at ringside if this fight did go the full distance.
As expected, Beterbiev was increasing the pace in the third, but Bivol was coping. He missed a dangerous right hand before throwing some combinations of his own. Beterbiev however was not letting the challenger get away that easy with a thumping body shot in the closing stages before the pair traded punches.
Beterbiev was on the hunt in round four, sending Bivol backwards towards the ropes with ease compared to previous rounds. A thumping left to the body kept Bivol quiet as he struggled to find a response.
In round five, Bivol had lost control of the ring with Beterbiev dictating his opponent’s movement. The defending undisputed champion continued to target the body and with 10 seconds remaining, landed a left hook before staggering Bivol with a right hand.
Bivol returned the favour in round seven with a straight left as the scars of battle were starting to show, both men had marks near their respective left eyes. At the end of the round, Bivol was getting a quick massage on his legs, a sign that his team were confident his stamina will get him through this edge of your seat thriller.
Bivol used rounds seven and eight to recharge before he sprung into life during the ninth. Throwing a myriad of quick combinations, Bivol was looking to wrestle back control of this fight, and Beterbiev looked spent going back to his corner. His eyes wide and mouth wide open, perhaps the defending undisputed champion realised this Bivol has improved massively since the first meeting in October.
Unlike the first fight, Beterbiev’s late resurgence was nowhere to be seen. This all due to Bivol grabbing the fight by the scruff of the neck and control everything, from ring position to tempo.
Throughout rounds 10 to 12, Bivol made sure to keep Beterbiev on the backfoot, frequently backing up his rival on to the ropes. A quick one-two combination in the eleventh kept Beterbiev quiet who struggled to throw his dangerous right hand despite getting his feet in the right position.
Compared to October's fight, the verdict seemed a lot easier to call, but then came the announcement that one judge scored the contest a 114-114 draw, prompting fears of an unjust verdict.
Then MC Michael Buffer announced two scores for 116-112 and 115-113 in favour of Bivol and a new four-belt light heavyweight champion was crowned.
The obvious move will now be for Bivol and Beterbiev to meet for a third time, and if so, it will be the perfect curtain call for what has been fascinating rivalry in this new and exciting era for the sport of boxing.
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