On Saturday (Oct., 12, 2024), Russian knockout artist Artur Beterbiev made history by handing master tactician Dmitry Bivol the first loss of his professional career inside the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Not only did Beterbiev score the best win of his career, but he also became undisputed Light Heavyweight champion in the process.
The fight itself was incredibly competitive. Bivol’s jab, counter punching, and movement controlled the early rounds, but things started to tighten up as the fight wore on. Beterbiev’s powerful combinations slowly wore Bivol down, leaving him more flat-footed and vulnerable in the closing sections of the fight.
It was a fight that could be argued in favor of either man, but many were surprised by the final scorecards. Beterbiev not only won, but one judge awarded him eight rounds with a scorecard of 116-112, which felt a bit unreasonable. Immediately, there were cries online of corruption and incompetence alike.
The most powerful figure in boxing, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, can be considered Team Bivol here. After the decision, Alalshikh revealed that he scored the fight for Bivol, and his proposed solution is a rematch.
“This was one of the great fights of the last 20 years I think,” Alalshikh told Charlie Parsons (via Michael Benson). “But I don’t think the result was fair, in my opinion. The two fighters are like my brothers, but I think Bivol won two rounds more. I will focus and I will try to do the rematch. If they accept, we will do it.”
Will they accept? It’s very likely that Bivol wants another chance to set things correct. Beterbiev, however, is 39 years old and underwent a major knee surgery over summer. He may opt to walk away after upsetting his younger foe, and nobody could really blame him.
Of course, the deep pockets of Alalshikh have a way of convincing athletes.
For complete Beterbiev vs. Bivol results and play-by-play, click HERE!