Artur Beterbiev beat Dmitry Bivol by majority decision to become the undisputed light-heavyweight world champion as one of boxing’s most-anticipated fights lived up to the hype in Saudi Arabia.
In a contest that could have gone either way, Bivol, 33, won the earlier rounds with his superior movement and combinations.
Fellow undefeated Russian Beterbiev, 39, was undeterred and forced his way back into the fight with relentless pressure and power punching.
With scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112, Beterbiev becomes the division’s first undisputed champion since 2002, and the first ever in the four-belt era.
“I feel not bad. I did not good today. I wanted to box with more quality,” said a modest Beterbiev – who is now WBC, WBA (Super), IBF and WBO champion.
Bivol was defeated for the first time in 24 bouts.
“I am a warrior. I don’t know, I did my job but I felt like I could do better but it was just the opinion of some judges,” he said.
Two unbeaten champions with differing but equally effective styles produced a match-up of the highest level in a fight to make the boxing purist salivate.
Beterbiev’s corner told him he needed a knockdown as the fight entered the championship rounds.
He could not find the finishing punch to maintain his perfect knockout record but ended the fight on top, winning rounds 10, 11 and 12 on all three judges scorecards.
Beterbiev’s historic win in the Middle East undoubtedly cements his place as up there with all-time light-heavyweight greats, but in such a close and entertaining fight, there will be a clamouring from the boxing fraternity for a rematch.
However, Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said he was “disgusted” by the decision.
