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Light Heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol threw down earlier tonight (Sat., Oct. 12, 2024) LIVE on DAZN from inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After 12 competitive rounds, Beterbiev shocked many viewers with a majority decision nod.
Both men understandably got off to a cautious start, and each played the role that most expected of them. Beterbiev was applying patient pressure, looking to stab his jab through the guard and into the chest. Bivol was more elusive, using his own jab to control distance and line up a nice left hook connection. Towards the end of the first, they opened up, and each man landed a combination before the bell.
The second continued in similar fashion, as Bivol threw more jabs but stayed on his bike. Beterbiev targeted the body well, but he also walked into a few hard counter punches. Bivol actually started timing his right hand really well in the third, turning the pressure fighter with some clean connections.
It was the kind of fight Beterbiev wanted, but he wasn’t winning it yet.
Bivol seemed to be gaining confidence by the fourth. His lateral movement was working well, as he baited Beterbiev forward then timed his jabs with counter combinations. By the fifth, Bivol was more willing to stand his ground, planting a bit more into his own power punches against the fearsome knockout artist. At risk of falling behind, Beterbiev stung his foe with a stiff jab then ripped a nice wide right body shot follow up.
Beterbiev continued to find the body with that wide right in the sixth, which was making a difference in allowing him to land more often. Bivol seemed to be a little less confident on the counter, though his jab was still landing. Bivol had a big moment in the seventh after stunning Beterbiev with an uppercut, but he got a little aggressive in his follow up, allowing Beterbiev to land his own heavy counter hook.
With five rounds remaining, the fight was very much up for grabs, and the live odds were totally even. Beterbiev did well to control the center, making Bivol miss and answering with the jab of his own. Bivol answered in the ninth with his own right hand to the body, as well as a big left hook swing. Bivol was back on his bike to good effect, making Beterbiev hit the gloves then touching him in return with numbers.
Beterbiev opened the tenth with aggression, finding a home for his right hand. Bivol relaxed the first half of the round but really sat on some power shots midway through, snapping Beterbiev’s chin several. Beterbiev answered with a long combo, mostly hitting Bivol’s gloves as he backed the champion into the ropes.
Bivol opened the 11th with fiery combinations, ripping body punches and big combinations. A Beterbiev overhand shifted the tide, however, allowing the puncher to answer in kind. Beterbiev found his way around the guard with left hooks to the liver, and he definitely dragged some momentum back into his corner with three minutes remaining.
Tension was high in the final round. Bivol was either evasive or firing in combination, a good strategy for him. Beterbiev’s pressure was relentless though, and Bivol’s legs weren’t quite as springy after all the movement. He used the clinch to earn relief instead, which worked fairly well in preventing any huge Beterbiev connections.
Bivol walked off with his hands raised.
All told, it was an entertaining and competitive fight. Check out some of the highlight clips below:
There was an argument for either man to score the nod. Beterbiev pressed the whole time, but he landed a lot on his opponent’s gloves. Conversely, Bivol threw fewer punches but was more accurate. It’s up for debate who landed the hardest blows, as Bivol sat down on more of his punches than many expected.
Ultimately, the judges handed in scorecards reading 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 in favor of Artur Beterbiev. Consequently, Beterbiev was named undisputed Light Heavyweight champion in a decision that seemed to shock the commentators and crowd alike.
How did you score it?
For complete Beterbiev vs. Bivol results and play-by-play, click HERE!