Dmitry Bivol delivered a stunning performance to claim victory over Artur Beterbiev in their highly anticipated undisputed rematch. The pair had previously met last autumn, with Beterbiev narrowly winning amid some controversy.
Despite Beterbiev initially seeming set for a repeat win after quelling Bivol’s early momentum, Bivol made an impressive comeback in the later rounds to secure a well-earned triumph. The judges’ scores reflected the tight contest, with one scoring it a draw and the other two favouring Bivol at 116-112 and 115-113.
An elated Bivol expressed his joy, “I’m so happy,” and detailed his journey, “I went through a lot the last few years. I lost and I felt a little bit easier, I didn’t have as much pressure like last time. I just wanted to work from the first round until the end of the 12th. I did enough.”
He also commented on his strategy and determination, “I was better, I was pushing myself more, I was more confident, I was lighter, I was just wanted to win so much today. I just told myself he could start from the beginning to destroy me and disturb me, it was hard to keep him distanced over the first four rounds. I was tired but he was tired also. I had to punch more.”
Bivol had indeed started quickly, aiming to put the disappointment of their previous fight behind him. Beterbiev responded in the second round, but Bivol continued to land the more effective blows, including a perfect right hand that caught the champion’s chin.
True to his word, Bivol had promised to “do more” in this fight, and he certainly lived up to that promise.
The challenger was seen throwing a flurry of punches, standing up to the intimidating advance of Beterbiev who occasionally demonstrated his power throughout the third round.
As the fourth round began, Beterbiev sprang from his stool and started to suppress Bivol’s threat with an increased work rate.
The champion’s unyielding pressure started to yield results in the fifth round as he repeatedly pushed Bivol back against the ropes. By the halfway point, the Russian’s movement had noticeably slowed, and Beterbiev sensed a shift in momentum.
However, Bivol found his rhythm again in the eighth round, aiming to finish stronger than their first encounter. The former champion continued to change the course of the fight in the ninth round, holding his ground and exchanging blows.
As the fight entered its final stages, Beterbiev’s output was decreasing while Bivol’s movement kept him out of harm’s way. Defence was largely forgotten as the penultimate round ended, leading to Beterbiev giving it his all in the final round – only to be denied by the judges.