Artur Beterbiev defeats Dmitry Bivol in controversial majority decision

(This article first appeared on USA TODAY Sports.)

Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol by majority decision Saturday in Saudi Arabia, winning the unified light heavyweight championship.

Beterview, 39, showed superior power and left Bivol’s face badly swollen under his left eye. Bivol, 33, showed snap in his punches too, but he could not evade enough blows.

“He’s powerful, very powerful,’’ Bivol said.

Beterbiev outlanded Bivol in power punches 90-86, according to DAZN. But Beterbiev said, “Today I’m lucky, too.’’

The judges scored it 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112.

Beterbiev handed Bivol his first loss while improving to 21-0 but failed to score a knockout for the first time of his career. Bivol fell to 23-1.

Beterbiev entered with the IBF, WBC and WBO world light heavyweight championship titles. Bivol entered as the WBA world light heavyweight championship.

Round-by-round analysis

Round 1: Bivol out fast ripping jabs. Beterbiev tossing out his jab with less authority. Boxers feeling things out, while Bivol still firing the jab. Bivol spices it up with a left hook. Bivol follows up a left with a right. Beterbiev picks up the pace, and Bivol finishes fast. Bivol 10, Beterbiev 9.

Round 2: Now Beterbiev’s out quick behind his jab. Bivol responds with his own jab, and looks like he’ll be firing that all day. It’s Beterbiev stalking. But he’s yet to be able to capitalize. Bivol’s footwork is serving him well. Bivol 20, Beterbiev 18.

Round 3: Beterbiev out quick again and moving forward. Bivol still responding with the jab. Nice exchange, and Bivol on the attack. Bivol on the move, but Beterbiev catches up with a right. Back comes Bivol with his own right. Getting a little rough, and Beterbiev showing more power. Bivol 29, Beterbiev 28.

Round 4: Beterbiev looks increasingly comfortable as he stalks Bivol. But Bivol counters. Bivol neutralizes a surge by Beterviev with counterpunches. Bviol deflecting punches with a high guard. It’s Beterbiev’s right vs. Bivol’s jab and occasional combos. Bivol 39, Beterbiev 37.

Round 5: Beterbiev stalking again, but Bivol stands his ground. They meet in the center of the ring. Bivol lands a hard right that seems to enliven Beterbiev, who fires jabs and stalks again. But Beterbiev hasn’t found the window for his powerful right. Bivol eats a left, take a hard body shot. Bivol counters with a hard left. Bivol 48, Beterbiev 47.

Round 6: Fighters meet at the center of the ring, but not for long as Beterbiev reasserts himself. Moves back Bivol with a right. Bivol stays on the move, then connects with a combination and digs into the body. Beterbiev responds. Bivol going toe to toe with Beterbiev before he wisely backs away. Beterbiev 57, Bivol 57.

Round 7: Bivol opens the round with an overhand right. But nothing seems to have truly hurt Beterbiev. Bivol back on the move. Bivol lands a right and a left and goes on the attack. Beterbiev fiercely coming back and has Bivol on the ropes. Beterbiev pounds away at the end of the round. Beterbiev 67, Bivol 66.

Round 8: Fighters at the center of the ring again, and now Bivol stalks – and eats a jab. Chants up go up for Bivol. It’s going to take more than chants as Beterbiev looks to be heating up. Bivol misses with a big right. Bivol shows good defense too. Beterviev sneaks through a couple of punches. Bivol finishes strong. Beterbiev 76, Bivol 76.

Round 9: Bivol stalks. Beterbiev looks content throwing the jab, and now back on the march. Bivol lands a hard left and a couple of body punches and he’s on the move again. Then stops and throws a combination. Digs in with the left. Bivol’s footwork is superior, and he responds with counterpunching. Bivol 86, Beterbiev 85.

Round 10: Beterbiev leads with the right and Bivol backs away. Beterbiev blocking a substantial number of Bivol’s punches. But he’s firing with more frequency than Bivol. Chants go up again for Bivol. A hard left and right from Bivol. Beterbiev unloads a flurry and finishes the round strong. Bivol 95, Beterbiev 95.

Round 11: Beterbiev marching forward before fighters settle at the center of the ring. Bivol drills Beterbiev with a right, and Beterbiev moves forward. Beterbiev picking up steam. Has Bivol on the ropes, throwing with both hands. Bivol fires back and Beterbiev bulls forward and presses Bivol up against the ropes. Bivol covering up under the assault. Beterbiev 105, Bivol 104.

Round 12: Bivol’s left eye almost swollen shut. Beterbiev looks strong and focused. Bivol looks shady and tentative. But Bivol stands his ground and throws a flurry of punches. Beterbiev methodically marches back at Bivol. Beterbiev chasing after Bivol with the right hand. He’s ramping up and then Bivol responds. Beterbiev now in control, although Bivol doing his best to unload as the round ends. Beterbiev 115, Bivol 113.

Beterbiev vs. Bivol official scorecard

Artur Beterbiev def. Dmitrii Bivol via majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 116-112)

Judge Manuel Oliver Palomo: 114-114 draw
Judge Glenn Feldman: 115-113 Beterbiev
Judge Pawel Kardyni 116-112 Beterbiev

The official #BeterbievBivol scorecards… How did you score it?#RiyadhSeason | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/D50dj2kQ9M

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 12, 2024

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol II?

The Russian-born boxers both expressed interest in a rematch.

“If his Excellency wants to, we going to do,’’ Beterbiev said, referring to Turki Alalshikh, who is the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and has become a key matchmaker of boxing.

Said Bivol, “Why not, of course. If I have a chance to, yes, this is my dream to be undisputed (champion).”