Bivol defeats Beterbiev in rematch and becomes undisputed world champion

At stake in the fight, which took place in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), were Beterbiev’s four belts from the prestigious versions of the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Organization (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA Super), as well as the titles of the International Boxing Organization (IBO) and the authoritative publication The Ring.

In the opening rounds, as in the first fight, Bivol was more active and dangerous. The beginning of the fight was again his. Moreover, it is clear that Dmitry worked on his mistakes. As he wanted, this time he was able to throw more punches. But in the fourth and fifth rounds, Beterbiev came into play, whose punches became more accurate and heavier. Artur took the initiative, pressuring his opponent. The sixth and seventh rounds were close. Beterbiev landed several good punches to the head and body. But Bivol was also constantly on the move, throwing a lot of punches. In the eighth round, Dmitry finally returned. He also took the ninth round. Before the championship rounds, it became clear that Beterbiev needed a knockout, since he was inferior on points. The opponents staged a real brawl. But Bivol held out again. Although he received a cut in the 12th round. Blood was spilled. However, if in the first unification fight Beterbiev took the decisive three minutes, today Dmitry outboxed Artur and by a majority of the judges' votes became the third absolute world champion from Russia.

Now 40-year-old Beterbiev has 21 wins (20 by knockout) and one loss, while 34-year-old Bivol has 24 wins (12 by knockout) and also one loss.

Let us recall that the Chairman of the General Authority of Entertainment of Saudi Arabia, Turki Al ash-Sheikh, called Bivol’s victory one of the conditions for organizing the trilogy.

The first fight between Beterbiev and Bivol also took place in Riyadh on October 12, 2024, and ended with Artur's victory by a majority of judges' votes (114-114, 115-113, 116-112). Beterbiev broke his knockout streak, and Bivol suffered his first defeat in his professional career. But the fight was called very close, and Artur's victory was not so obvious. It was impossible to challenge the result of the fight, but Dmitry's team filed a protest against the work of one of the judges, and also demanded a rematch, although this clause was not in the contract.

Turki Al ash-Sheikh, who also did not agree with Bivol's defeat, organized a rematch four months later. But the first fight had to wait a very long time. And when the date was set, the meeting of the two best light heavyweights was postponed due to Beterbiev's torn meniscus.

Artur became the second Russian – absolute world champion, and Dmitry – the third absolute after Konstantin Tszyu, who held this title in 2001-2003. However, at that time, to achieve this status, it was enough to win the world champion titles in three prestigious versions, and not in four, as now.

Currently, in addition to Bivol, two other Russians hold championship titles: Bakhram Murtazaliev (IBF, weight up to 69.9 kg) and Muslim Gadzimagomedov (WBA, up to 101.6 kg).

By the way

Former light heavyweight title challenger Callum Smith, a Briton who lost to Beterbiev in January 2024, defeated his compatriot Joshua Buatsi on the undercard of the current show in Riyadh.

Smith became the new WBO interim light heavyweight champion, returning to the title race.