Artur Beterbiev scores controversial majority decision win over Dmitry Bivol in 12-round battle

Artur Beterbiev went to the scorecards for the first time in his career to win a controversial majority decision over Dmitry Bivol in a battle between two of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world.

While both fighters had their moments, Beterbiev relied on his aggression and power to get the job done as he kept pushing forward and unloading huge shots trying to get the knockout. In return, Bivol displayed incredible speed and accuracy as he rattled off several multi-punch combinations to consistently chip away at his opponent.

It was close throughout with Bivol winning early and then Beterbiev rallying late but the judges saw it differently. The scores came back 116-112 and 115-113 for Beterbiev while the final judge had it as a draw at 114-114.

That was still enough for Beterbiev to get the majority decision win to move to 21-0 in his career and become the undisputed light heavyweight champion.

“I feel not bad,” Beterbiev said afterwards. “I did not do good today. I didn’t like this fight but I’ll be better one day. It’s not tough. It’s a little bit uncomfortable.

“Of course, this is a tough fight because Dmitry is a world champion, too. He has good skills, maybe better than me but today, Allah chose me.”

As for Bivol, he refused to place blame on the judges for the loss and instead took time to pay homage to Beterbiev on a job well done.

“I am a warrior,” Bivol said. “I have to do everything perfect. I don’t have any explanation because it would look like excuses. I just congratulate Artur and his team, he deserves it.

“I just have time to make another decision for my future. I did my job. I felt I could make it better. I can always make it better. Just some opinion of judges. He won, what could I say?”

Despite questions about the final scores, Beterbiev and Bivol lived up to the billing as they went to war for 12 rounds and brought the best out of each other.

As expected, Bivol got off to a fast start displaying good speed and footwork while establishing a jab to begin chipping away at Beterbiev. Bivol was careful not to stand in front of Beterbiev for any extended amount of time as he constantly hit and then moved out of the way.

Bivol connected with a good power punch early that had the crowd reacting but it was clear that Beterbiev was just waiting for his opportunities. For the most part, Beterbiev was content throwing one punch at a time until the fourth round saw him unleash some nasty shots as he continued walking down Bivol.

Beterbiev also connected with a huge shot to the body but Bivol wouldn’t be deterred as he kept coming back with combinations so the pace never slowed. Just when it looked like Beterbiev was gaining momentum, Bivol upped his workrate and he really began peppering away with that same stiff jab that kept finding a home on the chin.

In the seventh, Bivol cracked Beterbiev with one of his best punches after he unloaded a massive left that found a home on the chin. Beterbiev was seemingly rattled momentarily but he just bit down on his mouthpiece and started throwing back with sledgehammers in his fists.

Beterbiev slammed home a couple of really stiff shots that backed off Bivol and for a moment it looked like the momentum might be shifting in his favor.

That changed when Bivol settled into a better rhythm and he really started putting together some nasty shots that backed Beterbiev off. Bivol snapped off several good jabs and then started following with some huge hooks that were slipping through Beterbiev’s defense.

At the end of the 10th round, Beterbiev’s coaches told him that he needed a finish if he wanted and that seemed to motivate the Dagestani born fighter. As soon as he got unleashed from the corner, Beterbiev was looking to take off Bivol’s head with every punch thrown and more of his shots were connecting.

Bivol was beginning to slow down and he played more defense as Beterbiev continued to chase him around the ring. Beterbiev was marching forward, throwing with bad intentions behind every punch including a few to the body as he tried to punish Bivol to just drain the life out of him.

The devastating power kept coming from Beterbiev but Bivol found a way to fire back at him, displaying superior speed and a laser-like focus with his combinations.

When it was all over, Beterbiev had his hand raised while a dejected Bivol had to say goodbye to his own undefeated record after falling to 23-1 in his career. Judging by the reactions to the result, these two might see each other again in the near future and Beterbiev seems up for the challenge.

“If his excellency [Turki Alalshikh wants a rematch], we’re going to do,” Beterbiev said.