Dmitry Bivol entered the ring as the underdog. He left as the undisputed king of the light-heavyweight division. In a tactical masterclass, Bivol outboxed and outmaneuvered Artur Beterbiev, handing him the first loss of his career and claiming all four world titles.
For years, Beterbiev was seen as unstoppable—20 fights, 20 knockouts. No opponent had ever gone the distance with him – except Bivol in last year’s spectacle of a fight. But Bivol wasn’t just there to survive—he was there to take over.
Bivol’s Perfect Game Plan: Speed, Movement, and Precision
From the opening bell, Bivol executed a flawless strategy. He controlled the distance, evaded Beterbiev’s power punches, and countered with pinpoint accuracy.
Beterbiev pressed forward as always, trying to make it a brawl. He had some success in the middle rounds, targeting Bivol’s body and cutting off the ring. But every time Bivol felt the pressure, he reset, moved out of range, and forced Beterbiev to start over.
Judges’ Scorecards & Official Decision
As the final bell rang, Bivol had done what no one else could—neutralize Beterbiev for 12 rounds. But had he done enough to win?
Scorecards:
• 114-114 (Draw)
• 116-112 Bivol
• 115-113 Bivol
Majority decision—Dmitry Bivol is the new undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world.
What’s Next for Bivol and Beterbiev?
Now that Bivol has unified all four belts, the division is wide open. Possible next steps:
• A rematch with Beterbiev? The former champ won’t go down without a fight.
• Moving up to cruiserweight? A new weight class could bring fresh challenges.
• New challengers? Contenders like David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde are waiting for their shot.
Undercard Results & Highlights
The main event wasn’t the only fight that delivered action. The undercard saw some thrilling performances:
• Joseph Parker made a statement in the heavyweight division, knocking out Martin Bakole.
• Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz ended in a dramatic draw for the WBC middleweight title.
• Vergil Ortiz Jr. dominated Israil Madrimov before securing a late stoppage.
A New Era in the Light-Heavyweight Division
With this victory, Bivol didn’t just take Beterbiev’s belts—he changed the landscape of the division. The previously unbeaten knockout artist had built a reputation as one of boxing’s most feared punchers, but Bivol proved that speed, defense, and intelligence can overcome raw power.
The undisputed championship is his. Now, the boxing world waits to see how long he can keep it.
