| |
|
Dmitry Bivol Outduels Artur Beterbiev in Rematch for Undisputed Light Heavyweight Crown
PhilBoxing.com Sun, 23 Feb 2025

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Feb. 22, 2025) — Dmitry Bivol became the undisputed light heavyweight world champion with a majority decision over Artur Beterbiev Saturday evening at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Four months after suffering a razor-thin defeat to Beterbiev, Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) returned the favor, avenging the lone blemish on his record with a tactical approach that paid dividends in the mid-to-late rounds.
Bivol looked to box early, but Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) started fast, punishing him with body shots that had a visible effect in the third and fourth rounds. He continued to press in the fifth and sixth, peppering Bivol with his signature short, thudding shots.
Then, as if by design, Bivol turned the tide in the second half. The seventh and eighth rounds showcased vintage Bivol as he maneuvered in and out of range, pumping his jab and countering with crisp straight punches. His momentum surged in rounds nine and ten, as his movement and counters made him a difficult target.
Beterbiev, sensing the fight slipping away, emptied the tank in the championship rounds. He pressed forward and hurt Bivol in the 12th, sweeping the final round on all three scorecards. But it was too late.
One judge had it 114-114, while the other two scored it 116-112 and 115-113 for Bivol.
Bivol said, “I’m just so happy. I went through a lot during the last years.”
“To be honest, I lost, and I felt a little easier, maybe. I didn’t have too much pressure like the time before. And I just wanted to work from the first round till the end of the 12th round.”
“The difference was me. I was better. I was pushing myself more. I was more confident and lighter. And I just wanted to win so much today.”
Beterbiev said, “I don’t want to talk about the decision. It’s tough. I congratulate Bivol and his team."
“I don’t know {what was different}. I think this fight was better than the first time.”
“Actually, I didn’t even want the second fight. It wasn’t my choice. But, no problem. We can do the third fight.”
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Davao Chess Eagles in FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz in Hong Kong By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026Pido retains crown, Pulleda wins By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026Juarez defeats Valle by split decision to retain WBC belt in El Paso,Texas By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026Jose Sulaiman's 95th birthday is being celebrated with events around the world By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan is now one of the IBF board of directors , Sun, 31 May 2026Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament gets underway By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 May 2026Lieutenant Delfin Boholst: Soldier, Boxing Coach, Mentor By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 May 2026O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 30 May 2026WBC Issues Rules Clarification for Designating David Benavidez Mandatory Challenger to Noel Mikaelian External Inbox Andre Courtemanche -- Big Media Buzz , Sat, 30 May 2026FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION , Sat, 30 May 2026AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday , Sat, 30 May 2026Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver , Sat, 30 May 2026Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy , Sat, 30 May 2026Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026“While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition , Sat, 30 May 2026MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California , Sat, 30 May 2026Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA , Fri, 29 May 202620 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams , Fri, 29 May 2026RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo , Fri, 29 May 2026Taguig boxing clinic starts By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026Brico Santig Wins IBF “Most Active Promoter” Award , Thu, 28 May 2026FOSTER AND FORD IN FIERY FACE-OFF IN HOUSTON , Thu, 28 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|