Emanating from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hosted one of the biggest boxing matches of the year when reigning WBC, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev stepped inside the squared circle for a scrap with WBA champion Dmitry Bivol—the winner emerging as the division’s new undisputed champion.
Bivol and Beterbiev have dominated the 175-pound division for years with the latter carrying a perfect 20-0 record and a 100% finish rate. Like Beterbiev, Bivol enters the bout with an unbeaten record, having gone 23-0 since transitioning from a successful amateur career to the professional ranks. Along the way, Bivol has earned 12 KOs.
Round 1
Beterbiev gets on the front foot early and looks to get the jab going, targeting the head and body of Bivol. Beterbiev lands a nice rip to the body and Bivol comes back with a jab that doesn’t quite get through the guard of Beterbiev. Thus far, both fighters are reluctant to commit to anything and are waiting to counter the other. Bivol lands a nice jab. Bivol throws a left hook that hits the arm of his opponent.
Bivol unleashes a nice one-two combination and follows it up with a quick right hand. Beterbiev goes to the body and unleashes a combination as the clock winds down. Bivol fires back and both fighters land big blows just before the bell sounds.
Round 2
Beterbiev takes the center of the ring and attempts to put Bivol on his backfoot once again. Bivol lands a nice jab as Beterbiev continues to target the body. Beterbiev throws a right and Bivol counters with a double jab. Beterbiev starts to bully Bivol, but a jab from Bivol pushes Beterbiev back up against the ropes. Bivol lands on the body and throws a combination that doesn’t quite get through.
Beterbiev goes back to the jab while reapplying pressure but eats one in return as we approach the final 30 seconds of the round. Bivol circles around the ropes with Beterbiev chasing. Beterbiev traps him near the ropes, but Bivol lands a jab. Beterbiev lands a stiff one of his own as the round ends.
Round 3
The quick pace continues as Beterbiev comes out looking to pick up the pace and land his right hand. Bivol pumps the jab and Beterbiev fires back with a jab to the body. Bivol lets a right go followed by another. Beterbiev fails to respond and ends up eating a one-two from Bivol punctuated by a stiff right hand that pops Beterbiev’s head back.
Beterbiev lands a big right hand around the glove of Bivol. Both fighters continue to open up with Beterbiev throwing a combination that has Bivol retreating. As he hit the final 20 seconds, they start to slug it out in close before clinching up. Beterbiev keeps up the pressure and locks up with Bivol against the ropes as the round comes to a close.
Round 4
Beterbiev comes out pumping the jab and lands a solid one as Bivol circles away. Beterbiev approaches and eats a combo. That doesn’t deter Beterbiev from pursuing him. Beterbiev lands a right hand before going back to the jab and trying to set up the right hand. Beterbiev throws a couple of booming rights, but neither gets through the guard. Bivol throws a lazy jab and nearly pays for it as Beterbiev throws another booming right hand.
Bivol tries to push him back with a one-two and then a jab. Beterbiev finishes the round with five unanswered shots as Bivol covers up and is content to get out of the round without taking any serious damage.
Round 5
Bivol keeps his guard tight and pumps the jab as Beterbiev stays in close. One-two from Beterbiev as he continues to force Bivol back. Beterbiev throws another hard right hand that echoes through the arena. Bivol’s pace has slowed a bit as we approach the final minute of the round. Beterbiev continues walking Bivol down, unleashing power punches that forces Bivol to take an awkward step back.
Beterbiev lands a left and nearly catches Bivol coming out of the corner with an overhand right, but barely misses the mark.
Round 6
Bivol gets things started with a stiff jab and Beterbiev responds with a double jab. Beterbiev throws a big right hook and he has Bivol backing away. Beterbiev lands another right before ripping to the body of Bivol. Trying to get back into things, Bivol throws a jab and then uncorks a combination. Beterbiev eats it and continues moving forward. Bivol throws a combination followed by a big left. Beterbiev responds with a one-two.
Bivol comes back with a looping left hand. Beterbiev jabs and he’s got Bivol racing around the ring ropes. Bivol clinches up and Beterbiev lands a straight to the body on the break.
Round 7
Beterbiev throws a solid right to get things started. Bivol comes back over the top with a right and Beterbiev nods in approval of the shot. Instead of moving backward as he’s done most of the fight, Bivol is trying to stand his ground and trade with Beterbiev. They trade jabs before Bivol opens up further with a powerful one-two. Beterbiev touches Bivol’s forehead with a series of jabs and Bivol comes back with a three-punch combo that appears to have Beterbiev in trouble.
Bivol goes in the attack but eats a right hand from Beterbiev that has him backing up and retreating. Beterbiev unleashes a few brutal body shots and Bivol is content to take his foot off the gas and cover up until the end of the round.
Round 8
After a fiery seventh round, things get off to a slow start in the eights. Beterbiev lands a straight to the body as both fighters share the center of the ring. They trade a few jabs and Beterbiev goes back to the right hand. Bivol comes back with a right of his own as the fighters continue to pace themselves. Bivol is showing some damage to his right eye.
Beterbiev throws a one-two and has Bivol backing up. Beterbiev pursues and throws a right as Bivol circles away, but misses the mark. Bivol throws a combination and nearly eats an uppercut in the process. Beterbiev throws a right hand and Bivol responds with a combination. Beterbiev stands his ground and slugs it out with Bivol during the closing seconds of the round.
Round 9
The pace starts to pick back up with Bivol throwing volume while Beterbiev is looking for the power shot. Beterbiev offers up a couple of jabs and Bivol tries to respond with a right hand over top. Bivol rips to the body and follows it up with a left hook. Beterbiev doubles up on the jab and follows it up with a one-two. Beterbiev lands to the body and Bivol comes right back with a combination that causes the sweat to fly off Beterbiev’s head.
Beterbiev catches Bivol with a right hand against the ropes, but Bivol comes right back with a right hand that lands. Beterbiev is undeterred and continues to march forward, offering up a combination against the ropes moments before the bell.
Round 10
Beterbiev gets things started with a right hook and continues to pursue Bivol around the ring, looking to land his patented blow. Bivol throws a combination, but Beterbiev ducks under and avoids the damage. Beterbiev picks up the aggression and throws a double jab followed by a one-two. Bivol is circling the ropes but hasn’t been able to muster much offense as we reach the halfway point of the round.
Beterbiev offers up another one-two. Bivol throws a right and Beterbiev comes right back with a looping shot of his own. With under a minute to go, Bivol begins to let his hands go and lands a stiff combination. Beterbiev comes right back, closing the distance and unleashing a thudding shot to the body of his opponent. Beterbiev keeps the strikes coming as the round ends.
Round 11
Beterbiev once again comes out aggressive as we enter the championship rounds. Bivol comes right back with a combination. Bivol lands a right as he tries to put Beterbiev on his back foot. Bivol gets caught against the ropes and Beterbiev unloads a three-punch combo including a nasty shot to the body. Beterbiev is walking down Bivol and throwing everything he’s got. Bivol lands a nice counterjab before clinching on. Bivol takes a deep breath on the break and Beterbiev has him moving backward almost immediately.
Beterbiev is staying in tight and is mixing up his strikes, targeting the head and body of a very fatigued Bivol. As the 10-second clacker sounds, Bivol tries to fire back against the ropes, but it’s clear that Beterbiev got the best of him in the penultimate round.
Round 12
With the fight on the line, Beterbiev comes out and is looking to land big right from the get-go. Bivol keeps the guard high as Beterbiev unleashes a one-two. Bivol comes back with a three-hit combo. He fires off another combination as Beterbiev walks him down. Beterbiev throws a right to the body and Bivol clinches up near the ropes. Separated and back in the center of the right, Beterbiev throws a big left hand that narrowly misses.
Bivol circles away, but eats a brutal body blow against the ropes from Beterbiev. Bivol clinches up once again. Beterbiev rushes in and practically lands a takedown on Bivol before they’re separated. With 20 seconds to go, Beterbiev is in hot pursuit. Bivol fires back, but it’s Beterbiev who appears to land the better strikes just before the final bell sounds.
Official Result: Artur Beterbiev def. Dmitry Bivol via majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 116-112)
Check Out Highlights From Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev:
🔥 İşler kızışıyor #BeterbievBivol pic.twitter.com/VSwP6gLbnU
— Fight Digitale (@fightdigitale) October 12, 2024
THIS IS A WAR ⚔️
ABSOLUTE DOG FIGHT 💥🔥
BIVOL vs BETERBIEV #BeterbievBivol pic.twitter.com/nhaUbTtoya
— SU 🥋 (@Nolimitsu_) October 12, 2024
#BeterbievBivol pic.twitter.com/euCclqoBYG
— imran Khan (@imrankhanptibwp) October 12, 2024
#BeterbievBivol pic.twitter.com/t2zNAjAbTP
— imran Khan (@imrankhanptibwp) October 12, 2024
هيئه الترفيه تبهرنا دائماً في استضافة مثل هذه النزالات العالمية
🥊🥊🥊😍#موسم_الرياض#BeterbievBivol pic.twitter.com/swQUHB9CgU
— فواز (@fawaz199d) October 12, 2024
Artur Beterbiev has defeated Dmitry Bivol!!!!‼️🚨#BeterbievBivol #Bivol #BivolBerterbiev #boxing pic.twitter.com/REB3VSO3M2
— CHRISTIAN URESTI (@X_PERIODIC) October 12, 2024
