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Beterbiev
Wins Majority Decision Over Bivol In Close Match That Failed
To Live Up To Expectations
By Bret “The Threat” Newton
Artur Beterbiev (now 21-0, 20 KO’s) went the distance for
the first time and won a Majority Decision over Dmitri Bivol
(23-1, 12 KO’s) to become the WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO Unified
Light Heavyweight Champion. This was a match-up many years
in the making with two undefeated fighters that fans were
hoping would lead to fireworks throughout. What we got was
much less than that, despite what DAZN commentators were
trying to convince you of. Very little happened within the
first few rounds, and only did things begin to heat up in
the 7th, but quickly died back down.
Bivol appeared to circle and outbox Beterbiev for the
majority of the fight, with Beterbiev failing to cut off the
ring or land anything meaningful. When he did land, Bivol
would either fire back, or circle around again and prevent
Beterbiev from gaining any momentum. Beterbiev's biggest
round only came in the 11th when Bivol appeared to be out of
gas and took the round off, that should tell you a lot.
No disrespect to either fighter, as I personally have been
waiting for this fight to happen for over 5 years, but it
definitely felt a bit lackluster. Both men were
professional, both fought a respectful and methodical fight
and in the end Bivol gave no excuses. Neither man really
excelled in this fight, it was pretty straight forward every
round, with Bivol appearing to do just enough to win without
going over, and Beterbiev doing just enough to stay in the
fight.
Final scores were 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112. The fight
was almost too close to call and a draw would have matched
what played out in the ring, but Bivol did appear to have
the upper hand if anything, not Beterbiev. Bivol expressed
interest in a rematch. Would a second fight produce what we
didn't get this time around?
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