In a 100% Russian fight that promised great shows, no KO but a winner: Artur Beterbiev won against Dmitry Bivol by split decision and unified the belts. But her victory does not convince everyone.
Artur Beterbiev already holds the WBC, IBF and WBO belts, and adds the WBA light heavyweight title to his list of achievements. The Russian dominated his compatriot Dmitry Bivol this Saturday evening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. But although everyone expected a victory in this duel between two explosive fighters, it was a split decision (115-113, 116-112 and 114-114).
A very close fight… would he have deserved a draw?
More power from Beterbiev, more explosiveness and speed from Bivol and everyone has their big climax … so much so that there were many bets on a draw that only one of the three judges awarded. Some even put Bivol first, like former British boxer Tony Bellew on .
The loser was a good player in any case and above all he opened the door to a rematch: “I’m a hero, I have no explanation because that would be excuses,” announced it’s on DAZN. “I don’t know, I did my job even if I have the feeling that I could be even better. But that’s the opinion of some judges. Congratulations to Arthur, he is very powerful. I have a bruise on my arm. because I had it so solid when I hit.
“I’m lucky”
As for the winner, he recognizes a delicate fight: “How are you? It’s not too bad. But I wasn’t good today. I want to show more quality in my boxing. I’ll be better in the future. It’s obvious that he is better. it was a difficult fight, Dmitry is a tough fighter, he has better skills than me.