It was one of the most anticipated fights of the last for many reasons. The first, the category of Artur Beterbiev and Dmitri Bivol, both undefeated and among the best pound for pound in the world; the second, that for the first time a single fighter could win the four 175-pound belts.
With this preview, the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, in its desire to dethrone Las Vegas based on petrodollars, dressed up and rang the bell. It was a fight that, on paper, Beterbiev (20-0) would win by knockout or Bivol (23-0) on points. Both fighters designed their strategy under that premise and it was the Russian with a Korean mother who did it best from the beginning. Bivol did more work and arrived, scoring points, while Beterbiev waited for his moment to connect with his greatest power. The first four rounds were, without a doubt, for Bivol. Tall guard, well closed and agile, he danced the opponent with great footwork. He left the center of the ring for Beterbiev, while he entered and stinged like a bee to immediately get out of Beterbiev’s distance.
The fifth round was the first that the WBO, WBC and IBF champion took, although some judge, seeing the verdict, must have also given him the fourth… The sixth could also have been his, and in the seventh it occurred perhaps the most exciting moment: Bivol landed a big combination that staggered Beterbiev. The Russian Canadian changed his expression as if wondering what was happening. Hurt by seeing himself surpassed in his field, that of the exchange of shrapnel, he reacted by punishing his compatriot, who in the end cost him dearly for having awakened the beast. It must be remembered that the 20 wins with which Beterbiev arrived in Saudi Arabia had been by knockout. All.
But Bivol was not deterred, and not only took the eighth but in the ninth he gave a master class in boxing: footwork and blows like lightning. He made use of his greater speed against the power of Beterbiev, who had to be told by his corner that he either took the last three or he could say goodbye to his belts.
The message must have had an effect, since it is true that he finished the fight better than Bivol, who, with the calculator in one hand, was hoping that it would end without a hitch, without giving time for his compatriot, who punished him hard in the eleventh, will turn the meaning of the cards. The last round confirmed that Beterbiev finished better, but with the doubt of whether he had been able to overcome all the initial rounds that had been the champion of the World Boxing Association. When the time for boxing subjectivity arrived, the cards had to be drawn. This chronicler saw a draw – null combat – or victory for Bivol. Between those two options was ring justice. But the three judges are in charge and two gave the victory to Artur Beterbiev… Bivol is already the only boxer who has endured twelve rounds against the first undisputed light heavyweight champion, but he deserved more. No one should deny him revenge.
