Beterbiev vs. Bivol II: A Night of Drama, Blood, and Redemption in Riyadh
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Feb 2025
In a fight that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling and technically brilliant light heavyweight clashes in boxing history, Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) edged out Artur Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) by majority decision to become the undisputed IBF, IBO, WBC, WBO, and WBA light heavyweight champion. The judges’ scores—115-113, 116-112, and 114-114—reflected the razor-thin margins of a contest that had fans on the edge of their seats from the first bell to the last.
Round-by-Round: A Fight of Two Halves
Round 1
The opening round set the tone for what would be a tactical masterclass. Both fighters showed mutual respect, with Beterbiev testing the waters with body shots and Bivol responding with sharp jabs. In the final minute, Beterbiev pressed forward, landing a clean right hand that likely stole the round.
Round 2
Bivol’s footwork shone as he spun away from Beterbiev’s attempts to corner him. The Russian-Canadian continued to push the pace, but Bivol’s counters, including a lovely right hand, kept the round competitive. A left hand just before the bell hinted at Bivol’s growing confidence.
Round 3
Beterbiev came out swinging, landing two clubbing right hands early. Bivol responded with combinations, showcasing his precision. A left uppercut rocked Beterbiev’s head back, but the “Beast” fired back with a powerful right. Despite Beterbiev’s late flurry, Bivol’s cleaner work likely won him the round.
Round 4
Beterbiev turned up the heat, marching Bivol down with relentless pressure. The overhand right became his weapon of choice, and Bivol struggled to slow the onslaught. A late left hand from Bivol wasn’t enough to sway the round, which clearly belonged to Beterbiev.
Round 5
The pace began to take its toll on Beterbiev, but he still started strong. Bivol, fighting off the back foot, landed a clean right hand to Beterbiev’s chin, but the champion didn’t flinch. A late burst from Beterbiev, including a series of right hands, likely secured him the round.
Round 6
The fight reached a tense equilibrium, with both fighters trading blows. Bivol’s jab and combinations were sharp, but Beterbiev’s furious flurry at the bell made it a tough round to score. The momentum swings were becoming more pronounced.
Round 7
Bivol began to find his rhythm, landing stiff jabs and right hands. A late burst from Bivol, including a series of clean shots, likely earned him the round. The tide was starting to turn in his favor.
Round 8
Bivol’s confidence grew as he picked apart Beterbiev with sharp combinations and body shots. Beterbiev’s corner urged him to respond, but the champion struggled to match Bivol’s precision. A dominant round for Bivol leveled the scorecards.
Round 9
Bivol was in full flow now, ducking away from Beterbiev’s attacks and landing crisp combinations. A five-punch flurry showcased his superior speed and accuracy. Beterbiev’s face showed the wear and tear, and Bivol’s brilliance was undeniable.
Round 10
Beterbiev tried to force the issue, but Bivol’s counters were sharp and effective. A late burst from Bivol, including a four-punch combination, likely sealed the round. The fight was slipping away from Beterbiev.
Round 11
Bivol delivered a masterclass, landing a brilliant right hand and a massive flurry that rocked Beterbiev. A huge right hand to the side of Beterbiev’s face was the exclamation point on a dominant round. Bivol was now just three minutes away from victory.
Round 12
With his corner urging him to go for broke, Beterbiev came out swinging. He connected with solid shots, opening a cut above Bivol’s left eyebrow that dripped blood. Despite Bivol’s combinations, Beterbiev’s aggression and power clearly won him the final round.
The Decision: Bivol’s Redemption
When the final bell rang, the Kingdom Arena erupted in applause for both warriors. The judges’ scores—115-113, 116-112, and 114-114—reflected the razor-thin margins of a fight that could have gone either way. Bivol’s superior precision, footwork, and ability to adapt in the later rounds proved decisive.
In his post-fight interview, Bivol was gracious in victory. “Artur is a great champion, and this was a very tough fight,” he said. “I had to dig deep and use all my skills to win. This victory means everything to me.”
Beterbiev, ever the warrior, accepted the result with dignity. “I gave it my all, but Dmitry was better tonight,” he said. “I’ll come back stronger. This is not the end.”
What’s Next?
With this victory, Bivol cements his legacy as one of the greatest light heavyweights of his era. The win also sets up potential super fights, including a possible move to cruiserweight or a showdown with the winner of the Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez fight.
For Beterbiev, the loss is a setback, but his power and resilience ensure that he remains a formidable force in the division. A trilogy fight with Bivol could be on the horizon, and fans would undoubtedly welcome it.
Final Thoughts
The Beterbiev vs. Bivol rematch lived up to the hype, delivering 12 rounds of high-stakes drama, technical brilliance, and raw power. In the end, it was Bivol’s precision and adaptability that prevailed, but both fighters left everything in the ring. Boxing fans will be talking about this fight for years to come.
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