Oct 14,2024
Artur Beterbiev became undisputed light-heavyweight world champion after defeating Dmitry Bivol by majority decision in Riyadh.
A tight encounter ended with scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112 on the judges' cards as the 39-year-old Russian-born Canadian added the WBA crown to his WBC, WBO and IBF titles.
Beterbiev is the division’s first undisputed champion since Roy Jones Jr’s reign that ended in 2002, and the first of the four-belt era.
He extended his unbeaten record to 21 fights as he inflicted a first career defeat on Bivol, the Kyrgyzstan-born Russian six years his junior who had gone 23 fights without losing.
In a clash that had been delayed after Beterbiev sustained a knee injury, Bivol appeared to have the better of things in the opening few rounds.
The momentum looked to be with Beterbiev for a period, before a lively seventh round saw both fighters delivering notable blows.
It was either man’s to take, but after some strong work from Beterbiev, particularly in the 11th, he prevailed to make history.
By taking the bearded Beterbiev to a full 12 rounds, Bivol became the first man to go the distance against a champion with a previous 100% record of winning by knockout or stoppage.
"I wanted to box more, I don't like this fight. I was a little bit uncomfortable," said Beterbiev.
"I felt uncomfortable, because usually I'm not waiting for the bell.
"Of course, it was a tough fight because Dmitry is a tough champion and he has tough skills, better than me.
"During the fight, we always try to change something. I didn't deliver more punches, I don't know. Today I am lucky too."
Bivol did not dispute the result, despite claims from his promoter Eddie Hearn that he had been "robbed of the undisputed championship".
"I just congratulate Artur and his team, he deserves it," said Bivol, looking forward also to a possible rematch.
"I am a warrior. I have no explanation because it looks like excuses.
"I did my job, I felt I could do better, I always feel I can do better, but that's the opinion of the judges. He won."
Australia's Jai Opetaia earlier retained his IBF cruiserweight world title when Jack Massey's corner threw in the towel two minutes into the sixth round with the beaten Briton bleeding from a cut to the side of his nose.
The convincing win took Opetaia's record to 26-0.
Unbeaten Australian Skye Nicolson won the first women's world title fight held in Saudi Arabia when she defended her WBC featherweight belt against Britain's Raven Chapman in a unanimous points decision.
A light-heavyweight fight between Britons Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron ended in a draw after both crashed out of the ring, while Fabio Wardley stopped Frazer Clarke in the first round of their British heavyweight title fight.
