Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol LIVE RESULTS: Beterbiev WINS controversial thriller, Whittaker in hospital, Clarke KO’d

Instant classic

Tough one

That’s a very tough one to take for Dmitry Bivol, who genuinely though he’d done enough to clinch it. He boxed beautifully and he can be proud of himself.

History

Artur Beterbiev is now the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. He is the first undisputed champion of the division since Roy Jones Jr in 2002.

“That was epic”

Former world middleweight champion Darren Barker on DAZN: “What a fantastic contest that was. We saw a bit of everything there for all the marbles in the division. That was epic!”

He’s not wrong.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol

Eddie Hearn is jumping around in the crowd, he thinks his man Dmitry Bivol has done enough. It’s so subjective – do you prefer the accuracy and precision of Bivol or the relentless busy pressure of Artur Beterbiev.

The judges will decide.

“I still think the draw is on the table here,” says the DAZN commentator.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 12

These three minutes could define either one of these man’s careers.

Artur Beterbiev doesn’t waste any time in searching for a knockout, but he’s yet to land anything of substance. Remember, Beterbiev has never gone the distance in his professional career.

60 seconds left on the clock and Beterbiev is throwing the kitchen sink at Bivol, who wisely clinches to slow things down.

The pair have a messy final seconds as the bell goes and Bivol runs to hug his corner. He thinks he’s done enough as Beterbiev looks pensive in his corner.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 11

It’s the championship rounds here, folks and Bivol has the advantage. Even Artur Beterbiev’s corner accepts that and have told his man that he requires a knockout.

He comes out with bad intentions but Bivol manages to land a good series of punches of his own. Will he regret that flurry of punches? He slows down as Beterbiev connects with some mean body shots.

Bivol showing real signs of fatigue here. Can he survive one round and clinch this undisputed title?

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 10

Still incredibly tight but a few of the pundits have the scorecards in favour of Dmitry Bivol. And he continues to rise to the occasion with a one-two to the body and head.

As we’ve seen throughout the night, Beterbiev returns with pressure and some decent late shots but Bivol’s defence has been amazing tonight.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 9

Four rounds remaining, folks. This fight is still well up for grabs with both fighters priced at 10/11 with the bookies.

Dmitry Bivol is somehow keeping his composure with some great ‘upstairs, downstairs’ attacks that give Artur Beterbiev something to think about. Another round for Bivol, who’s paced himself wonderfully tonight.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 8

Beterbiev has thrown nearly double the number of punches tonight, but Bivol has landed more. It was a fairly quiet round until the final 20 seconds where the pair of them start slugging like a WWE fight – Bivol probably got the better of that exchange.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 7

“You’re not tired. Nobody can beat you,” scream Artur Beterbiev’s corner. I wonder what he communicated to them…

Is Beterbiev tired? He’s certainly started to mark up a bit and has definitely dropped off in this round. Bivol seizes his opportunity with a terrific combination and some eye-catching shots that the judges will like.

Beterbiev comes roaring back in the final 30 seconds, but Bivol seemed to block most of it.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 6

This is just mesmerising stuff. It’s the most dangerous chess match ever played.

Dmitry Bivol forgot his jab in the last two rounds but he’s found it again and that’s brought him some joy to slow Beterbiev’s relentless pressure. Tough round to score, perhaps Beterbiev because of punch output.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 5

Bivol is keeping his hands nice and high when moving around the ring but even the shots he’s blocking make a huge thud.

Beterbiev is looking relentless here now. He’s throwing punch after punch and the crowd erupts when Bivol looks briefly unbalanced. Don’t think there was too much damage done, but the pressure is ramping up.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 4

Artur Beterbiev is asserting himself a little more at the start of this round, but that doesn’t stop Dmitry Bivol from firing off a fiery one-two before slipping away.

That doesn’t deter the 39-year-old, who comes back swinging with some spiteful punches that look real, real nasty. Think that round goes Beterbiev’s way as he grows into the contest.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 3

Artur Beterbiev is moving through the gears now. He came out with real intent, throwing two or three heavy rights but Bivol’s movement is preventing him from connecting properly.

Dmitry Bivol, as you would expect, remains calm and delivers a cracking one-two to the temple of his opponent.

Big hits! Bivol fires off a strong right but Beterbiev returns the favour just seconds later. Neither man is backing down here. It’s exactly what we wanted it to be, folks.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 2

I will tell you that this easily the loudest crowd I’ve heard for a fight in Saudi.

Artur Beterbiev is known as a slow starter, so Dmitry Bivol will need to make these earlier rounds count. Bivol connects with a nice left hook but Beterbiev just absorbs it, moves forward and attacks with a stiff jab just before the bell. Bivol has probably landed more scoring punches in the opening two rounds.

Bivol landed nine jabs in that opening round, which is the most a Beterbiev opponent has ever landed against him.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 1

“This is boxing’s version of Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo,” says the DAZN commentator. Quite like that. I’d pay more than £19.99 for that.

Anyway, Artur Beterbiev starts on the front foot as the aggressor. He’s taking control of the centre of the ring with Dmitry Bivol dancing around him.

No significant damage done or taken from either of these fighters in the opening round – although Bivol enjoyed some good scoring jabs and combinations.

But seconds before the bell, both landed and both reacted to those punches.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 1

Ding Ding! It’s show time! Who’s ‘O’ is going to go?

Let’s get this party started!

Michael Buffer has uttered those five magic words, and that can only mean one thing – the fighters are on their way out now.

Now we’ve seen a few stylish and elaborate outfits for the ring walks tonight — but Artur Beterbiev has just entered the ring wearing a sweaty white Fred Perry t-shirt. Love it.

He also got from the entrance to the ring in about 30 seconds flat. Dmitry Bivol was no slouch either. We’re moments away.

Bloody good rep

Missy Elliott has now finished her performance, and DAZN are showing the preview trailer for this fight.

I’ve actually grown to love these trailers ahead of fights — but I’m fairly certain the Voice Over is done by Chris Finch from The Office, right?

Chris Finch, IQ of 142, one of the cleverest blokes I know, certainly the cleverest bloke you know.

Anyway, I’ve posted the trailer here if you want to get those juices flowing. Warning… it’s over four minutes.

Update

The show was nice.

I won’t lie to you, folks. I popped to the kitchen to grab a KitKat and a brew somewhere between Ciara and Busta Rhymes’ performances. I’m sure it was good.

It was a KitKat Chunky if you’re wondering.