Artur Beterbiev‘s knockout streak came to an end in his 21st fight, but he took it by majority decision against Dmitry Bivol to become the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion in decades.
After banking the first three rounds, Bivol started to feel the famed power of Beterbiev, who spent the entirety of the bout stalking his man and landing where he could.
The judges favoured the aggression and thudding shots despite a spirited effort from Bivol. Beterbiev took it on the scorecards (114-114, 115-113, 116-112), saying it was an ‘uncomfortable’ wait that he wasn’t used to. Bivol was humble in defeat, saying that he would say little because it could look like an excuse.
There were many swing rounds and opinion will be extremely split in the aftermath. Here are some initial reactions from the boxing world…
Ryan Garcia
Wow robbery if you ask me
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) October 12, 2024
Terence Crawford
That was a good fight, but who did yall have winning?
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) October 12, 2024
Shakur Stevenson
115-113, 116-112 ππ
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) October 12, 2024
Tony Bellew
Great fight and it could have gone either way tbh.. The 116-112 is a disgrace though! Neither fighter won that fight by 4 rounds.. this is the part that annoys me π‘π€¬π‘ Well done to Artur Beterbiev heβs some fighter he really is.. #BeterbievBivol#RiyadhSeason
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) October 12, 2024
Frank Warren
What a fight two high level operators at their best, I had Bivol personally!
Fantastic to open another #RiyadhSeason, some fantastic boxing awaits! @Turki_alalshikh#BeterbievBivol
— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) October 12, 2024
Peter Fury
You canβt argue with that
In fairness the comms were a little biased— Billy Nelson (@L2Box1) October 12, 2024
Michael Conlan
Draw for me, what a great fight! Could go either way. High level type fight that ππΌ #BeterbievBivol
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) October 12, 2024
Adam Booth
116-112 was an odd one not going to Bivol. Hope they make a rematch!
— Adam Booth (@boxingbooth) October 12, 2024
Andre Ward
BIVOL WON THAT FIGHT ! 116-112 is crazy !!
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) October 12, 2024
Gareth A Davies
8 rds to 4 for me @ABeterbiev 116–112 over @bivol_d
Rds 1 2 3 and 9 Bivol
Rest Beterbiev@RiyadhSeason#BeterbievBivolpic.twitter.com/RH20jajjUA— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) October 12, 2024
Mike Coppinger
Artur Beterbiev wins the undisputed light heavyweight championship with a majority-decision victory over Dmitry Bivol: 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. Wow. Scored it 115-113 for Bivol. Need a rematch obviously. #BeterbievBivol
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) October 12, 2024
Devin Haney
Close fights not robberies..
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) October 12, 2024
Nico Ali Walsh
BETERBIEV!!!ππ
— Nico Ali Walsh (@nicoaliwalsh) October 12, 2024
Crystina Poncher
Congratulations to @ABeterbiev ππΌ π
Also, helluva fight @bivol_d! The way you handled that post fight interview π€πΌπ€πΌπ€πΌ All class! π«‘
RUN IT BACK! π― #BeterbievBivol
— Crystina Poncher (@CrystinaPoncher) October 12, 2024
Claressa Shields
Hmm π€ this fight didnβt live up to the hype to me: 114-114, 113-114, 115, 112. β¦β¦β¦. Beterbiev!!!!
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) October 12, 2024
Billy Nelson
You canβt argue with that
In fairness the comms were a little biased— Billy Nelson (@L2Box1) October 12, 2024
Dan Rafael
Rd 12: Bivol 10-9. That's a very close fight. Depends onwhat you like I think. I have it 114-114. #boxing#BeterbievBivol
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) October 12, 2024