Bivol takes Beterbiev’s undisputed light-heavyweight world title

In an epic light heavyweight world championship rematch held in Saudi Arabia, Russian boxer Dmitry Bivol defeated Artur Beterbiev by majority decision to win the undisputed light heavyweight world champion title, settling the score from their previous defeat. The highly anticipated match drew the attention of boxing enthusiasts worldwide, further solidifying Bivol's legacy.

The match, held in Riyadh on Sunday, saw the judges score it 114-114, 116-112, and 115-113, with Bivol ultimately winning by a narrow margin. The previous bout took place last October when both were undefeated champions, evenly matched, with Beterbiev winning by the exact same score and adding the WBA belt to his WBC, WBO, and IBF titles, showcasing his dominance at the time.

This time, the 34-year-old Bivol performed better, was in better condition, and attacked his 40-year-old opponent with determination and clever combinations. The 1-1 result paves the way for an inevitable third clash between the two. Beterbiev said after the match: "Actually, I didn't want a second match, it wasn't my choice, but no problem. We'll have a third match." Notably, Beterbiev did not shake hands with Bivol after the match, hinting at the intensity of their rivalry.

Bivol said he was ready for any challenge but needed a rest after his efforts. The Russian boxer, who finished the match with blood above his left eye, said: "I didn't have as much pressure as last time. I just wanted to fight from the first round to the twelfth round. I did enough, I won. I was in better shape, I worked harder, I was more confident, I was more relaxed, I really wanted to win today," emphasizing his improved mindset and preparation.

In the first three rounds, Bivol outperformed his opponent, but in the fourth round, Beterbiev found his rhythm, and the match was more intense than the first, but the gap between the two remained small. When the final bell rang, neither boxer was sure of the result, and both were waiting for the score to be announced, without celebrating in advance. Beterbiev said: "I don't want to talk about the decision - it's tough. Congratulations to Bivol's team. I think this match was better than the first, but we'll see. Now is the time for me to return," suggesting he believed he won the final rounds, adding to the controversy of the decision.

Earlier, three-time world champion Shakur Stevenson defeated late replacement Josh Padley, a British electrician who only had three days to prepare for the fight, after nine rounds, retaining his WBC lightweight title. Former WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker defeated another late replacement, Martin Bakole, in two rounds in their WBO interim match, showcasing the unpredictable nature of boxing and the opportunities it presents.