Dmitry Bivol defeats Artur Beterbiev in a split-points determination to assert light-heavyweight world title in Saudi Arabia.
Russian Dmitry Bivol avenged a earlier defeat to take the undisputed light-heavyweight world title from Artur Beterbiev on a majority points decision in an epic rematch in Saudi Arabia.
The judges scored Sunday’s struggle in Riyadh 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113.
The earlier encounter final October, when each went toe-to-toe as unbeaten champions, ended with precisely the identical rating however to Russian-born Canadian Beterbiev who added the WBA belt to his WBC, WBO and IBF ones.
This time, Bivol, 34, was higher on the night time, transferring up a gear and taking the struggle to his bearded older opponent, now 40, with willpower and stylish mixtures.
The 1-1 final result opens the way in which to an inevitable third conflict between the 2.
“Truly, I didn’t need the second struggle, it wasn’t my alternative, however no drawback. We’re going to do a 3rd struggle,” Beterbiev, who didn’t shake Bivol’s hand, mentioned within the ring after the scores had been introduced.
Bivol mentioned he was up for any problem however wanted a relaxation after his exertions.
“I wish to heal myself a bit of bit and are available again,” mentioned the Russian, who ended the struggle with blood streaming from the highest of his left eye.
“I didn’t have as a lot strain like final time. I simply wished to work from the primary spherical till the top of the twelfth. I did sufficient and I received this.
“I used to be higher, I used to be pushing myself extra, I used to be extra assured, I used to be lighter and I simply wished to win a lot as we speak.”
Bivol had the higher of his opponent over the primary three rounds, however the champion discovered his rhythm within the fourth in a livelier struggle than the primary one however nonetheless with little to separate the 2.
On the remaining bell, neither boxer might be certain of the end result, each ready for the scores to be learn with out celebrating upfront.
“I don’t wish to discuss in regards to the determination – it’s robust. Congratulations to Bivol’s crew,” mentioned Beterbiev, who might declare the ultimate spherical.
“I believed this struggle was higher than the primary struggle, however we’ll see. Now could be my time to come back again.”
Earlier, three-times world champion Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC light-weight title after stopping stand-in Josh Padley, a British electrician who had three days to organize for the struggle, on the finish of 9 rounds.
Former WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker stopped one other late substitute Martin Bakole in two rounds of their WBO Interim bout.
