Dmitry Bivool beats Artur Beterbiev in a decision of separate points to win the world title of light weight in Saudi Arabia.
The Russian Dmitry Bivol has avenged a previous defeat to take the undisputed worldwide weight of Artur Beterbiev on a decision of majority points in a revenge epic match in Saudi Arabia.
The judges marked the fight on Sunday in Riyad 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113.
The previous meeting last October, when the two became unbeaten champions as an undefeated champions, ended with exactly the same score, but in the Canadian of Russian origin, Bettebiev who added the WBA belt to those of WBC, WBO and ibf.
This time, Bivol, 34, was better in the night, rising equipment and taking the fight to his older barbu opponent, now 40 years old, with chic determination and combinations.
The 1-1 result opens the way to a third inevitable confrontation between the two.
“In fact, I didn’t want the second fight, it was not my choice, but no problem. We are going to make a third fight, “said Beterbiev, who did not shake hands with Bivol, in the ring after the score announcement.
Bivol said he was ready to take up a challenge but needed rest after his efforts.
“I want to cure myself a little and come back,” said the Russian, who ended combat with streaming blood from the top of his left eye.
“I didn’t have as much pressure as the last time. I just wanted to work in the first round until the end of the 12th. I did enough and I won that.
“I was better, I was pushing myself more, I was more confident, I was lighter and I just wanted to win so much today.”
Bivol had the best of his opponent in the first three laps, but the champion found his rhythm in the fourth in a fight more alive than the first, but still with little to separate the two.
At the last bell, no boxers could be sure of the result, both waiting for the scores to be read without celebrating in advance.
“I don’t want to talk about the decision – it’s difficult. Congratulations to the Bivo team, “said Beterbiev, who could claim the final round.
“I thought this fight was better than the first fight, but we will see. Now is the time to come back.
Earlier, the world champion three times Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC light title after arresting Josh Padley, a British electrician who had three days to prepare for the fight, at the end of nine laps.
The former WBO heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker stopped another late replacement Martin Bakole in two laps in his provisional WBO fight.
