Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) became the undisputed light heavyweight champion with a majority decision victory over Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The highly anticipated showdown between two of the division's best delivered a competitive, back-and-forth fight, but the outcome sparked controversy among fans and analysts.
The fight saw Beterbiev’s signature pressure meet Bivol’s fluid movement and sharp counters, resulting in a tactical matchup that had many rounds too close to call. While Bivol seemed to control the pace with volume and accuracy, Beterbiev’s aggression left a lasting impression on the judges. When the dust settled, the scorecards read 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 for Beterbiev, awarding him the win and the undisputed crown.
The decision was met with mixed reactions, with many fans believing Bivol did enough to win. Even Turki Alalshikh, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman, told Bivol after the fight that he thought the Russian deserved the victory. In interviews, Bivol expressed disappointment in the result but refused to make excuses, stating he could have done better despite feeling in control for most of the fight. He also mentioned an interest in a rematch, though he confirmed that he and Beterbiev didn’t speak after the bout.
As expected, boxing fans quickly took to social media to voice their frustrations. Some began speculating that Beterbiev would struggle against Canelo Alvarez, with many even predicting a knockout loss. The disrespect toward fighters following close fights isn’t new, but it feels especially misplaced here—just because Beterbiev had a close call with Bivol doesn’t mean he’s getting stopped by everyone else.
Adding to the post-fight drama, Bivol’s ex-girlfriend, who previously accused him of domestic violence, streamed herself celebrating his loss. In viral clips, she initially appeared surprised by the decision but quickly smiled and cheered. While her reaction suggests she didn’t agree with the outcome, she seemed more than happy to see her alleged abuser lose.
With the undisputed title now in his possession, Beterbiev has two clear options moving forward: he can grant Bivol a rematch to settle the debate, or he can defend his belts against the winner of the highly anticipated fight between David Benavidez and David Morrell. Either way, fans can expect another explosive matchup, with plenty still left to prove in the light heavyweight division.
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