Dmitry Bivol Defeats Artur Beterbiev to Become Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion

The highly anticipated rematch in Riyadh saw Bivol claim Beterbiev’s four championship belts, solidifying his place as the top fighter in the division.

The judges scored it 116-112 and 115-113 in favor of Bivol, while the third judge had it a 114-114 draw. Just four months ago, Beterbiev had edged out Bivol in a similarly close contest, winning by majority decision with identical scores.

This time, Bivol adjusted his approach. After a tough start, he took control in the middle rounds with precise counterpunching and elusive footwork, avoiding Beterbiev’s signature power shots. Beterbiev started strong and landed heavy body shots early, but as the fight wore on, his energy began to fade.

The 40-year-old Russian still had his moments, particularly in the final round when he rocked Bivol with a right hand that opened a cut above his left eye. But Bivol weathered the storm and hung on to secure the victory.

A Long-Awaited Redemption

The rematch was a natural outcome after their thrilling first bout last October, where Beterbiev became the first undisputed light heavyweight champion in the four-belt era. That fight ended in controversy, with many believing Bivol had done enough to win. This time, there was no doubt—Bivol made the necessary adjustments and outworked Beterbiev when it mattered most.

Bivol first gained widespread recognition in 2022 when he upset Canelo Alvarez, preventing the Mexican superstar from winning a world title in a fifth weight class. He successfully defended his WBA light heavyweight title multiple times before his loss to Beterbiev in October.

Beterbiev, who has dominated the division since winning his first title in 2017, suffered his first professional defeat. The hard-hitting Russian had knocked out every opponent before Bivol took him the distance in both of their fights.

Undercard Highlights

The stacked card in Riyadh also featured some standout performances:Joseph Parker made quick work of Martin Bakole, stopping him in the second round to win the WBO interim heavyweight title. Bakole had stepped in on just two days’ notice after Daniel Dubois pulled out due to illness, but he was no match for Parker, who extended his winning streak to six fights.

Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC lightweight title with a dominant win over late replacement Josh Padley. Stevenson knocked Padley down three times before the challenger’s corner threw in the towel in the ninth round. Despite the stoppage, Stevenson’s performance didn’t completely silence critics who say he lacks a killer instinct.With Bivol now holding all four light heavyweight belts, the division has a clear king.