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We got a 50-50 fight on Saturday night at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and we got a decision that could have gone either way.
Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) became the undisputed light heavyweight world champion with a majority decision over Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs).
One judge had it 114-114, while two others scored it 115-113 and 116-112 for Beterbiev.
This clash of unbeaten champions—with Beterbiev risking his WBC/IBF/WBO titles and Bivol defending his WBA strap—crowned the division’s first undisputed ruler since Roy Jones Jr. vanquished Reggie Johnson in 1999.
This is a type of fight where you ask yourself what you like. Do you like activity? Do you like effective aggression? Do you prefer the fighter who lands the harder shots?
According to Compubox, Bivol(142) landed more than Beterbiev(137); however, Beterbiev threw more punches(682-423), and he landed more power punches(90-84).
The 39-year-old Beterbiev won the final three rounds on all three judges’ scorecards and landed 17 power punches in Round 11, which was his best round for power punches landed, according to Compubox.
Despite the win, Betebiev feels he could have been better.
“I did not good today,” he said after the win. “I wanted to box today with more quality. I don’t know why, but I didn’t like this fight. But I’ll be better one day.
“You know, during the fight, we always try to change something. But, you know, maybe I just wanted to punch him. Maybe that’s why I’m not delivering more punches. I don’t know.”
Beterbiev is okay with a rematch.
“If His Excellency wants it {a rematch}, then we can do it.”
Like Beterbiev, the 33-year-old Bivol felt he could have fought better.
“I am a warrior,” he said. “I have to do everything perfect. And I don’t have any explanation because it could look like excuses. I just congratulate Artur and his team. He deserves it. No problem. I just have time to make another decision for my future. That’s it.
“I don’t know. I just did my job. I felt that I could have done better. I always could be better. It’s just the opinion of the judges. Congratulations, Artur. I didn’t see the fight. He won. What can I say?”
Hopefully, the fans get what they want, which is a rematch. This is what boxing should be, and going forward, let’s hope we get more 50-50 fights like this one.
Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing