UNDISPUTED KING: ARTUR BETERBIEV CROWNED UNDISPUTED LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION

In a battle that has been anticpated for years! Two unbeaten world champions, with complete contrasting styles, put it all on the line in their Undisputed world title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A high level contest that could've gone either way, it was Beterbiev that emerged victorious. A decision that was deemed controversial in the aftermatch, but one thing that cannot be denied was the class displayed in the ring that night. A rematch would be ideal, but boxing does not always work like that.

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It was finally here, this Light Heavyweight clash for supremacy. A fight that many fans thought would remain as a fantasy. Turki Alshaiikh and Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia made it a reality, lining up a marquee card to match on October 31. It was a spectacle that we wouldn't forget and ready to witness how this would go down. On one side, the unified Light Heavyweight world champion, Artur Beterbiev. With a record of 20-0, all 20 wins by knockout, the feared boxer-puncher has been ruling the division for almost a decade! With one more belt left to collect, Beterbiev was focused on completing the mission.

The man holding the belt was none other than fellow countryman Dmitry Bivol. Also unbeaten (23-0, 12KOs) and a supremely skilled operator in the ring. With a notable victory over Canelo Alvarez in 2022, Bivol has been regarded as one the pound for pound best in boxing. Having shared an amateur boxing training camp as younger fighters, Beterbiev and Bivol were not unfamilar with one another. As both men continued rule over every other Light Heavyweight in boxing, it was only right to find out which one of these two all time greats were better.

The fighters touched gloves. The first bell rang. Here we go! In the Kingdom. Beterbiev tried to establish himself in the centre of the ring, wanting to apply the same sort of pressure that has led to him to 20 straight knockouts. Bivol moved around the ring well, maintaining a good range and was accurate when throwing punches of his own. The two champions exchanged a flurry of punches before seeing the end of the first round. It was obvious to all watching that was going to be a very high level contest.

After some closely contested early rounds, the fight really sparked into life in the second half of the fight. Bivol produced the most emphatic attack of the fight in Round 7, landing a number of punches that forced Beterbiev onto the back foot. Bivol looked like he was gaining momentum in the middle rounds, but Beterbiev responded well to the adversity. Beterbiev began cutting the ring off with much greater intent and was beginning to land some of his trademark power punches. The championship rounds were now looking much tougher for Bivol, as Beterbiev closed out the fight well. A brief fist bump after the final bell. This was a fight!

Tension began to build as the scorecards were being collected. The body language of the fighters suggested Bivol was confident he had done enough to win. Beterbiev was more reserved as he prepared to hear how this fight would go. Once it was announced as Majority Decision, the drama rose significantly. Draw on one judge's card, with the other two judges scoring the fight to the winner. #AndTheNew Undisputed Light Heavyweight world champion...Artur Beterbiev. Celebrations erupted in the Kingdom Arena, but Bivol was in shock. This was going to be a controversial one.

It seems the judges preferred Beterbiev's aggression to Bivol slick skills and footwork. But Bivol stood and exchanged in enough instances to feel like he won the fight, even hurting Beterbiev a couple of times. It was a close fight, and close fights aren't robberies. Boxing is full of differing opinions and scoring fights is no different. Usually when close fights at this level could of gone either way a rematch normally makes the most sense. Fans would love to see what adjustments these great competitors might make, but world title obligations may mean Beterbiev has to defend against a mandatory. If we only get to witness this fight one time, it truly was a masterclass.

- AE