Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol by majority decision Saturday in Saudi Arabia, winning the unified light heavyweight championship.
Beterview, 39, showed superior power and left Bivol’s face badly swollen under his left eye. Bivol, 33, showed snap in his punches too, but he could not evade enough blows.
“He’s powerful, very powerful,’’ Bivol said.
Beterbiev outlanded Bivol in power punches 90-86, according to DAZN. But Beterbiev said, “Today I’m lucky, too.’’
The judges scored it 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112.
Beterbiev handed Bivol his first loss while improving to 21-0 but failed to score a knockout for the first time of his career. Bivol fell to 23-1.
Beterbiev entered with the IBF, WBC and WBO world light heavyweight championship titles. Bivol entered as the WBA world light heavyweight championship.
The Russian-born boxers both expressed interest in a rematch.
“If his Excellency wants to, we going to do,’’ Beterbiev said, referring to Turki Alalshikh, who is the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and has become a key matchmaker of boxing.
Said Bivol, “Why not, of course. If I have a chance to, yes, this is my dream to be undisputed (champion).”
“Of course it’s a tough fight, because Dmitry (is) a world champion too. He has good skills, maybe better than me.’’
“But today,’’ Beterbiev added, lifting his boxing gloves skyward, ‘’Allah chose me.’’
After the fight, Bivol was congratulatory.
“I am a warrior,’’ he said. “I have to do everything perfect. And I don’t have an explanation because it could look like excuses. I just (say) congratulations to Artur and his team. He deserve it.’’
Scheduled for 12 rounds.
Round 1: Bivol out fast ripping jabs. Beterbiev tossing out his jab with less authority. Boxers feeling things out, while Bivol still firing the jab. Bivol spices it up with a left hook. Bivol follows up a left with a right. Beterbiev picks up the pace, and Bivol finishes fast. Bivol 10, Beterbiev 9.
Round 2: Now Beterbiev’s out quick behind his jab. Bivol responds with his own jab, and looks like he’ll be firing that all day. It’s Beterbiev stalking. But he’s yet to be able to capitalize. Bivol’s footwork is serving him well. Bivol 20, Beterbiev 18.
Round 3: Beterbiev out quick again and moving forward. Bivol still responding with the jab. Nice exchange, and Bivol on the attack. Bivol on the move, but Beterbiev catches up with a right. Back comes Bivol with his own right. Getting a little rough, and Beterbiev showing more power. Bivol 29, Beterbiev 28.
Round 4: Beterbiev looks increasingly comfortable as he stalks Bivol. But Bivol counters. Bivol neutralizes a surge by Beterviev with counterpunches. Bviol deflecting punches with a high guard. It’s Beterbiev’s right vs. Bivol’s jab and occasional combos. Bivol 39, Beterbiev 37.
Round 5: Beterbiev stalking again, but Bivol stands his ground. They meet in the center of the ring. Bivol lands a hard right that seems to enliven Beterbiev, who fires jabs and stalks again. But Beterbiev hasn’t found the window for his powerful right. Bivol eats a left, take a hard body shot. Bivol counters with a hard left. Bivol 48, Beterbiev 47.
Round 6: Fighters meet at the center of the ring, but not for long as Beterbiev reasserts himself. Moves back Bivol with a right. Bivol stays on the move, then connects with a combination and digs into the body. Beterbiev responds. Bivol going toe to toe with Beterbiev before he wisely backs away. Beterbiev 57, Bivol 57.
Round 7: Bivol opens the round with an overhand right. But nothing seems to have truly hurt Beterbiev. Bivol back on the move. Bivol lands a right and a left and goes on the attack. Beterbiev fiercely coming back and has Bivol on the ropes. Beterbiev pounds away at the end of the round. Beterbiev 67, Bivol 66.
Round 8: Fighters at the center of the ring again, and now Bivol stalks – and eats a jab. Chants up go up for Bivol. It’s going to take more than chants as Beterbiev looks to be heating up. Bivol misses with a big right. Bivol shows good defense too. Beterviev sneaks through a couple of punches. Bivol finishes strong. Beterbiev 76, Bivol 76.
Round 9: Bivol stalks. Beterbiev looks content throwing the jab, and now back on the march. Bivol lands a hard left and a couple of body punches and he’s on the move again. Then stops and throws a combination. Digs in with the left. Bivol’s footwork is superior, and he responds with counterpunching. Bivol 86, Beterbiev 85.
Round 10: Beterbiev leads with the right and Bivol backs away. Beterbiev blocking a substantial number of Bivol’s punches. But he’s firing with more frequency than Bivol. Chants go up again for Bivol. A hard left and right from Bivol. Beterbiev unloads a flurry and finishes the round strong. Bivol 95, Beterbiev 95.
Round 11: Beterbiev marching forward before fighters settle at the center of the ring. Bivol drills Beterbiev with a right, and Beterbiev moves forward. Beterbiev picking up steam. Has Bivol on the ropes, throwing with both hands. Bivol fires back and Beterbiev bulls forward and presses Bivol up against the ropes. Bivol covering up under the assault. Beterbiev 105, Bivol 104.
Round 12: Bivol’s left eye almost swollen shut. Beterbiev looks strong and focused. Bivol looks shady and tentative. But Bivol stands his ground and throws a flurry of punches. Beterbiev methodically marches back at Bivol. Beterbiev chasing after Bivol with the right hand. He’s ramping up and then Bivol responds. Beterbiev now in control, although Bivol doing his best to unload as the round ends. Beterbiev 115, Bivol 113.
Ready to rumble? Almost. At Michael Buffer’s cue, the boxers’ parade walks have commenced. Beterbiev climbs into the ring and Bivol joins him.
Bivol is the WBA light heavyweight champion. Beterbiev holds the WBC, WBO and IBF light heavyweight titles.
The boxers aren’t the only ones parading into Kingdom Arena. Ciara, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott have taken to the stage for a short concert before the main event, Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol. As if that weren’t enough, the music was preceded by a massive fireworks display outside.
Frazer Clarke was diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone after being examined at a hospital following a first-round knockout loss to Fabio Wardley, promoter Frank Warren told DAZN.
The injury appeared to take place when Clarke was struck by the final blow, a powerful right in their heavyweight bout.
Wardley ended the heavyweight fight in the first round with a ferocious right hand that not only dropped Clarke but also left him getting oxygen.
It ended with a barrage of punches, and the referee waved off the fight with 32 seconds left in the first round.
Pounded by Wardley’s final right, Clarke dropped onto his right knee. He stayed in the corner as medical staff gave him oxygen for a few minutes before Clarke rose to his feet, found Wardley and they embraced. It was Wardley’s 17th knockout in 18 fights.
It was a rematch of their fight in March that ended in a split draw.
Wardley, a 29-year-old Brit, improved to 18-0-1 and Clarke, a 33-year-old Brit, fell to 8-1-1.
Scheduled for 12 rounds
Round 1: The heavyweights come out throwing jabs. Clarke following up with rights now. They get tangled and Clarke uses the opportunity to deliver a few punches. Wardley connects with a flurry and down goes Clarke! It’s over. Clarke’s jaw looks askew. That may be a broken jaw, the result of a hard right.
Clarke in the corner getting oxygen.
Opetaia threw a boatload of punches, and Massey’s corner threw in the towel — in the sixth round of their cruiserweight fight.
At one point, Massey was bleeding from the nose, near the eye and spit out blood and the referee promptly accepted Massey’s corner asking to end the fight.
Opetaia, the 29-year-old Australian, defended his IBF world cruiserweight title and improved to 26-0.
Massey, a 31-year-old Brit, fell to 22-3.
Scheduled for 12 rounds
Round 1: Opetaia stalking and Massey counterpunching. Opetaia works Massey into a corner and scores. Massey circling, but not fast enough to avoid Opetaia’s punches. Massey lands a couple of punches, but Opetaia has dominated the round. Opetaia 10, Massey 9.
Round 2: Massey comes out aggressively. Opetaia counters and lands a stiff right hook. Opetaia still leading with the left, effectively. Massey fighting back. Opetaia strikes to the body, has Massey backed into a corner again. Opetaia 20, Massey 18.
Round 3: Massey catches Opetaia early, but Opetaia ramps up the attack. Massey counters with a right and then eats three punches. Opetaia works Massey into a corner and scores late in the round. Opetaia 30, Massey 27.
Round 4: Massey’s face is clearly swollen. Now he’s bleeding from the bridge of his nose. Opetaia smelling blood? He’s marching forward again. Massey counters, not soon enough and decisively enough to win the round. Opetaia 40, Massey 36.
Round 5: Opetaia promptly works Massey into a corner and fires away, the confident aggressor. Massey firing back, but nothing slows Opetaia and the blood is flowing from Massey’s nose again. Opetaia punishing Massey on the ropes. Opetaia 50, Massey 45.
Round 6: Opetaia connects with combinations. Massey comes alive despite bleeding from the nose and eye. Opetaia whaling away again, and Massey’s corner throws in the towel! It’s over. Opetaia is victorious.
Eubank knocked down Szeremeta four times and finished him off in the seventh round of their middleweight bout with a body shot.
The referee waved off the one-sided fight after the final knockdown.
Eubank, the 35-year-old Brit, improved to 34-3 and set himself up for a fight with Conor Benn, a former two-time champion.
In fact, moments after the fight ended, Benn climbed into the ring and exchanged trash talk with Eubank. They continued to exchange words after the outcome of the fight was announced.
Szeremata, the 35-year-old from Poland, fell to 25-3.
Scheduled for 12 rounds
Round 1: Eubank out quick with the left jab. Spices it up with a left hook and then a right floors Szeremeta! He’s down. Szeremeta back on his feet and ties up Eubank. They’re untangled and Eubank goes back to work with both hands. Back comes Szeremeta! Lands a shot that sends Eubank reeling, but Eubank steadies himself as the round ends. Eubank 10, Szeremeka 8.
Round 2: Szeremeta was down, but he’s not out. Active early in the round. But he struggles to keep pace with Eubank, who lands a solid uppercut. Eubank hammering away, but Szeremeta fighting back. Eubank 20, Szeremeta 17.
Round 3: Eubank aggressive. Szeremeta responds, but Eubank solid on his feet. Eubank bleeding from the right eyebrow, the result of an accidental headbutt. Szeremeta yanks Eubank down to the canvas. That’s not the knockdown he needs. Eubank 30, Szeremeta 26.
Round 4: Eubank pounding Szeremeta, moving him backward as he lands punches. Szeremeta survives the barrage and lands a couple of shots, which does not slow Eubank. Eubank 40, Szeremeta 35.
Round 5: Eubank and Szeremeta land punches to the head that land simultaneously. Szeremeta lands some hard punches in what was his best round, but Eubank closes with another hard right. Eubank 50, Szeremeta 44.
Round 6: Szeremeta lands a hard right, but Eubank responds with a flurry, and down goes Szeremeta again! For the second time of the bout, and this time Szeremeta is floored by a Eubank right hand. But he’s back up and makes it to the end of the bell. Eubank 60, Szeremeta 53.
Round 7: Eubank unleashes a flurry — and knocks down Szeremeta with a right! Down for the third time! And up again and the right resumes. And down again! The fight is waved off. It’s Eubank by TKO.
Nicolson retained her WBC featherweight championship and improved to 12-0 with a convincing victory over Chapman.
A 29-year-year Australian, Nicolson played the matador, sidestepping Chapman as she bulled forward. And Nicolson tattooed Chapman with her signature left during the 10-round lightweight fight.
The judges scored it 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92 in favor of Nicolson.
Chapman, a 30-year-old Brit, fought aggressively but could not land enough punches as she fell to 9-1.
Scheduled for 10 rounds
Round 1: Chapman out quick, bouncing on her feet and darting in and out while throwing jabs. Nicolson connects with a hard left. Nicolson evades a right and lands one of her own. Nicolson 10, Chapman 9.
Round 2: Chapman emerges as the aggressor again, but many of her punches are falling short of the target, with Nicolson proving to be evasive. But Nicolson looking inactive before landing a solid right late in the round. Nicolson 19, Chapman 19.
Round 3: Chapman lands early and connects with the body. But Nicolson delivers a stinging left and another. Then a right. Nicolson taking control. Nicolson 29, Chapman 28.
Round 4: Nicolson lands the left — a couple of straights and a hook. Then Nicolson evades a big right. Chapman charges in with a right, but Nicolson responds with a left. Nicolson 39, Chapman 37.
Round 5: Nicolson content to maintain distance and throw the occasional left. Chapman struggling to close the gap. But Chapman lands a right, only to eat a few punches at the end of the round. Nicolson 49, Chapman 46.
Round 6: Nicolson the matador, mostly sidestepping punches when Chapman bulls forward. The matador is landing more punches too. Nicolson 59, Chapman 55.
Round 7: It’s more of the same, with a lack of action but Nicolson landing more. Nicolson 69, Chapman 64.
Round 8: Chapman advancing. Nicolson retreating. But Nicolson landing most of the shots despite a couple of late ones from Chapman. Nicolson 79, Chapman 73.
Round 9: Chapman connects with a right, but no knockout power – and that’s what she’ll need. But she lands another right. Swings for the fences but misses. Nicolson looks content to protect her obvious leads on the scorecard. Nicolson 88, Chapman 83.
Round 10: Chapman comes out looking for the KO, but marches into a few Nicolson punches. Nicolson evading Chapman and dominating the round. Nicolson 98, Chapman 92.
At the end of the fifth round, Whittaker and Cameron both tumbled over the top of the ropes. Whittaker was loaded onto a wheelchair and taken to the locker room, ending the light heavyweight bout before the scorecards were announced.
The judges scored it a technical draw. One judge scored it 58-57 for Whittaker and the third judge scored it 58-57.
Whittaker, a 27-year-old Brit, is 8-0-1 and Cameron, a 33-year-old Brit, is 23-6-1.
Scheduled for 10 rounds
Round 1: Whittaker comes out the aggressor, popping Cameron in the face with jabs. A wide swing and a miss from Cameron with the left. Lots of misses from Cameron. Whittaker shows good defense, and on offense he stays active and on target. Whittaker 10, Cameron 9.
Round 2: Cameron comes out of his corner firing jabs, then catches Whittaker with a combination. Whittaker responds and now the boxers are trading exchanges. Whittaker shows quickness, Cameron shows more power. Whittaker 20, Cameron 18.
Round 3: Whittaker connects with a big right early. Cameron connects with a left and Whittaker backpedals. Cameron delivers with a left and sticks out his tongue. More power from Cameron. Whittaker 29, Cameron 28.
Round 4: Even more pronounced, Whittaker is the sharpshooter and Cameron the slugger. Cameron digs into Whittaker’s body, then lands a flurry shots to the head. Whittaker 38, Cameron 38.
Round 5: Whittaker fires a flurry, but Cameron fires back with a fight and a left hook. Whittaker marching forward, has drawn blood from Cameron’s nose. Whittaker warned for low blows. Cameron finishes the round strong. Cameron has Whittaker pressed against the ropes, and the fighters tumble over the ropes and outside of the ring! Both look injured. Cameron is up and Whittaker, who seems to have injured his right leg, is lying on his back in his corner. Whittaker unable to continue. Cameron 48, Whittaker 47.
“Mighty’’ Mohammad Alakel of Saudi Arabia was mighty enough his pro debut. Equipped with a solid left and a respectable right, Alakel controlled most of the action during a four-round lightweight fight.
All three judges scored the fight 40-36.
Gonzalez, a Colombian, fell to 3-3 and Alakel is now 1-0.
Flores suffered his 26th loss in a row, this one to Maric, who was making his pro debut in a four-round super welterweight fight.
All three judges scored it 40-36, but more remarkable than the action in the ring is Flores’ record.
The 32-year-old from Mexico fell to 14-46-2, while Maric, a native of Switzerland who lives in California, is now 1-0.
When is the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight?
The Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight is Saturday.
When does the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight start?
The undercard starts at 9 a.m. ET. Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol is expected to start at about 6 p.m. ET.
How to watch Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol
ESPN+ and DAZN.
How much is the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol pay-per-view?
The main event requires a subscripton to ESPN+ but no additional fee. The undercard on DAZN costs $19.99 and a subscription to DAZN.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol location
Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
No, Floyd Mayweather Jr. also beat Canelo, by majority decision in 2013.
Will there be a Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch?
Until September, there was little momentum for “Bivol vs. Canelo 2.” But after Canelo beat Edgar Berlanga, he expressed interest in a rematch against the only boxer who’s beaten Canelo other than Floyd Mayweather Jr. Fighting as a light heavyweight, Alvarez lost to Bivol by unanimous decision in 2022. A rematch will hinge in part on Bivol defeating Artur Beterbiev Saturday.
Anson Wainwright, The Ring: “Beterbiev will inch his way forward, slowly turning the screws and start to come into things in the second half of the fight. I think as we head toward the championship rounds, Bivol will be tiring and Beterviev, in a similar manner to how he beatdown Oleksandr Gvozdyk, will get a late stoppage.’’ Prediction: Beterbiev by TKO, 10th round.
Tom Gray, The Sporting News: “I’ve decided to roll with Bivol because he’s fresher and harder to nail cleanly. Beterbiev’s body seems to be breaking up on him a little and he turns 40 years old in January while Bivol is still in his prime at 33.” Prediction: Bivol by unanimous decision.
Brian Fonseca, Action Network: “Bivol is more balanced and will be able to navigate the sustained pressure against his older opponent, who had this bout delayed for months due to meniscus surgery.” Prediction: Bivol by decision.
Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clark, heavyweight
Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey, cruiserweight, for IBF title
Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta, middleweight
Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman, featherweight, for WBC title
Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron, light heavyweight
Mohammed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez, lightweight
Marco Maric vs. Christian Flores, super welterweight
6-0
6-0
174.9 pounds at the weigh-in.
174.12 pounds at the weigh-in.
Bet365: Bivol -125, Beterbiev +110
DraftKings: Bivol -145, Beterviev +120
BetMGM: Bivol -125, Beterviev +110
Caesars Sportsbook: Bivol -120, Beterbiev +100
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