Russia's Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) won a majority decision over fellow countrymate Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia With the win Beterbiev becomes the first undisputed light heavyweight world champion since Roy Jones Jr. in 1999.
In the opening rounds, Bivol controlled the fight from the perimeter, while Beterbiev found himself on the receiving end of jabs and counter right hands. Beterbiev’s sporadic flurries kept Bivol honest as the action progressed, including a stiff jab that stunned him in the fifth.
A confident Bivol stood his ground in the seventh, unleashing a fusillade of punches. It was anyone's fight much throughout as Beterbiev pressed the action while the quicker Bivol tried to work the jab. Bivol stayed out of range and connected in spurts. Beterbiev tried to up the pressure even more midway but Bivol had success countering. Beterbiev had a big round seven but Bivol mostly managed to fight his fight down the stretch. Beterbiev tried desperately for the KO late, and managed to pull it out
Scores were 114-114 eve, while the two others judges scored the bout 115-113 and 116-112 for Beterbiev.
Beterbiev said, "I feel not bad. I did not good today. I wanted to box today with more quality. I don't know why, but I didn't like this fight. But I'll be better one day.
“Of course, it's a tough fight because Dmitry is a world champion, too. He has good skills, maybe better than me. But today, Allah chose me. “You know, during the fight, we always try to change something. But, you know, maybe I just wanted to punch him. Maybe that's why I'm not delivering more punches. I don't know. “If His Excellency wants it {a rematch}, then we can do it.”Bivol said, “I am a warrior. I have to do everything perfect. And I don't have any explanation because it could look like excuses. I just congratulate Artur and his team. He deserves it. No problem. I just have time to make another decision for my future. That's it. “I don't know. I just did my job. I felt that I could have done better. I always could be better. It's just the opinion of the judges. Congratulations, Artur. I didn't see the fight. He won. What can I say?"
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