Beterbiev defeats Bivol, becomes undisputed champion

Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) became undisputed light-heavyweight champion after defeating his countryman Dmitrii Bivol (23-1) on Saturday night in Riyad, Saudi Arabia via majority decision.

After 12 spectacular rounds judges saw Beterbiev as winner. Two of the judges scored the fight (115:113 and 116:112) in favor of Beterbiev and one of them scored as a draw (114:114).

Beterbiev unified all the biggest titles (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO).

Bivol asked for the rematch after the fight and Beterbiev too showed readiness for rematch.

Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn was fuming with the result.

“I don’t want to disrespect Beterbiev, because they’re both incredible fighters, but I find it sickening that, after a lifetime of hard work, Bivol is not undisputed champion tonight. He won that fight. I struggle to find anybody in our row; a row behind, the TV row, who didn’t score the fight to Bivol. To find a judge give that fight 116-112, and give Dmitry Bivol four rounds in that fight; this judge should never work in the sport again”, said Hearn in press conference after the fight.