Bivol Vs. Beterbiev 2: Who Won Tonight's Fight In Riyadh?

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Post on Feb 23, 2025

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Bivol Outboxes Beterbiev, But Beterbiev Wins Controversial Decision in Riyadh Rematch

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – In a rematch that lived up to its hype, Artur Beterbiev narrowly edged out Dmitry Bivol in a controversial 12-round light heavyweight title fight Saturday night at the Diriyah Arena. While Bivol displayed superior boxing skills and arguably landed the cleaner, more effective punches throughout the fight, the judges scored the bout 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112 in favor of Beterbiev, retaining his WBC, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles.

The decision sparked immediate outrage among many boxing fans and analysts, who felt Bivol clearly won the fight. Bivol himself expressed his disbelief and disappointment in the post-fight interview, stating that he felt he’d clearly done enough to secure the victory. “I don’t know what to say," Bivol said. "I thought I won the fight. I felt strong, I felt good, I controlled the distance. I felt I landed more punches, cleaner punches."

The fight, a rematch of their highly anticipated first encounter, saw Beterbiev adopt a more aggressive, pressure-fighting style in an attempt to overwhelm Bivol's superior technique. However, Bivol, known for his exceptional boxing IQ and precise counter-punching, expertly evaded many of Beterbiev’s power shots, consistently landing stinging jabs and combinations. While Beterbiev landed some hard shots, particularly in the middle rounds, the sheer volume and accuracy of Bivol's punches seemed to outweigh the power of Beterbiev's blows.

Throughout the contest, Bivol effectively controlled the range, using his footwork to create angles and negate Beterbiev's power. He consistently kept Beterbiev at bay with his jab, frustrating the champion’s attempts to close the distance and unleash his devastating power punches. Bivol's superior boxing skills were undeniable, showcasing a masterful display of precision and ring generalship.

The judges' scorecards, however, painted a different picture, leading to widespread criticism. Many commentators and fans took to social media to express their frustration and disagreement with the decision, questioning the judging criteria and the transparency of the scoring system. The discrepancy between the perceived outcome and the official result fueled further debate about the need for greater consistency and accountability in boxing judging.

The fight served as a stark reminder of the inherent subjectivity in boxing judging, a point of contention that has plagued the sport for years. Despite the controversial ending, the fight itself was a technical masterpiece, showcasing the contrasting styles of two elite light heavyweights. Bivol's performance solidified his position as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, even in defeat. The outcome, however, leaves a lingering sense of injustice and calls into question the reliability of the judging system in high-profile boxing matches. The immediate future for both fighters remains uncertain, but a potential third fight looms large, given the controversy surrounding this highly anticipated rematch. The demand for a trilogy fight, fueled by the controversial result, is sure to intensify in the coming weeks.