Bivol Reclaims Glory in Thrilling Bout Against Beterbiev in Riyadh

Epic Showdown as Bivol Takes Down Beterbiev

In a nail-biting rematch, Dmitry Bivol snatched victory from Artur Beterbiev in a much-anticipated match held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a majority decision of 115-113, 116-112, and 114-114, Bivol didn't just win the fight but reclaimed the undisputed light heavyweight championship. This was Bivol's response to his previous defeat in October 2024, where Beterbiev got the better of him.

From the start, Bivol took control, skillfully dominating the initial rounds. The tides shifted briefly when Beterbiev, regarded as the slight favorite per ESPN BET with odds of -120, made a valiant comeback in the later rounds. However, this late surge wasn't enough to sway the judges' scores in his favor. This fight marked Beterbiev’s first title defense since unifying the belts in 2023, adding an extra layer of tension and expectation.

Undercard Action and Global Reach

Aside from the main event, the evening in Riyadh was bolstered by a series of high-quality undercard fights. Joseph Parker faced off against Martin Bakole for the WBO interim heavyweight title after Daniel Dubois had to withdraw due to illness, adding a surprising twist to the lineup. In the lightweight division, rising talent Shakur Stevenson took on Josh Padley for the WBC lightweight crown, promising fans another thrilling showdown.

The middleweight clash between Carlos Adames and Hamzah Sheeraz vying for the WBC title added further excitement to the event. With these remarkable bouts on offer, the boxing night became a global sensation, streamed live around the world via DAZN's pay-per-view service, priced at $25.99 for U.S. audiences. This not only amplified the event’s reach but also brought the world of boxing closer to fans globally, proving once again the sport’s remarkable capacity to unite and thrill audiences across the planet.