Undisputed Light Heavyweight King Artur Beterbiev: Was Dmitry Bivol Robbed?

It wasn’t a brawl; drama didn’t arise, shi* talk was non-existent, and the respect was clear as day, yet taking our eyes off the television screen at any point during this highly contested 12-round masterclass of the sweet science involving two of the greatest pugilists in the sport’s history was beyond the bounds of possibility. Let’s take a look at how this unfolded for boxing betting fans.

Still thinking about Saturday night 🤩#BeterbievBivol | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/DXIkje7Zwk

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 14, 2024

Beterbiev Defeats Bivol: Displeased and Satisfied

When Beterbiev and Bivol had given their all, the final bell had rung; it was reaching 10:00 PM ET. The two gave respect, the ring became crowded, and the judge’s decision was revealed: Two judges scored the fight 116-112 and 115-113 in favor of Beterbiev, while the outlying judge scored it a draw. Beterbiev and co. were caught up in celebration, but within five minutes, the rematch factor was already playing its role.

Between ringside talks and online discussions worldwide, the masses were alternating between displeased and satisfied; hatred toward the result shouldn’t have surfaced when we’d just witnessed a fight so beautiful, technical, and oh so close. Of course, you can win a 12-round championship bout without question and still only receive seven of the five rounds in your favor.

As expected, Bivol, now 23-1-0, was a sportsman in defeatand gave Beterbiev his flowers; following the months and years it had taken to get these future legends in the ring, it was evident that one-of-a-kind respect had been built. These savages mutually topped the 205lb division for over six years until Bivol surrendered his title and position following the decision.

The bout elevated the anticipation levels in boxing rumors, a sport where significant matches often disappear, to unprecedented heights. Bivol and Beterbiev presented an extraordinary bout, so flawless and pristine that, under the haunting blue illumination of the Kingdom Arena, it often felt as though I were observing a video game. The power, movement, timing, angles, preciseness, resilience to absorb blows, and boundless stamina rendered the fight a flawless spectacle. They maintained their formand did not topple nor succumb to strikes – they executed a dual masterclass in boxing proficiency.

Beterbiev Bivol: All BIG punches landed pic.twitter.com/YRtLJGGSRn

— Jack Alter (@JackAlter0) October 14, 2024

Beterbiev: First Decision Win in 21 Professional Bouts

It’s been a long time since we had an undisputed champion at 205lbs, but to this day, it’s still a highly debated topic in the business. However, and although many critics will credit the reproduced errors of the past, there’s no denying Beterbiev is a first. In layman’s… He’s the first man to lift all four recognized titles at a world level in the light heavyweight division – Roy Jones Jr., the last “undisputed champ from back in 1999, didn’t have the benefit of fighting under the non-existent WBO at the time – We witnessed history in Saudi Arabia, and it was undoubtedly worth the wait.

Bivol, aged 33, six years Beterbiev’s junior, with a perfectly unblemished 23-0-0 record, including wins over the likes of Canelo Alvarez, was touted as the betting favorite. However, despite moving excellently in the early goings, he couldn’t prevent Beterbiev’s growing confidence, which we’ve seen on one-two-many occasions. Many scored it 3-3 heading into the seventh, and as the championship rounds approached, every punch would count.

This was a very pivotal moment in round 7. Bivol was winning and landed a good combination to push back Beterbiev but got too greedy and countered with a left hand that had him shell up for the rest of the round and take punches from Beterbiev:
pic.twitter.com/o3dycZ6Gsy

— #RingsideFracas (@Ringside_Fracas) October 13, 2024

Online betting fans witnessed Bivol stuck at times, cornered, so to speak, as he was forced to let loose and throw shots in situations where he wasn’t comfortable. As an elitist at trapping opponents, Beterbiev utilized his movement just as much as his fists. Unfortunately, whenever boxers open up against Beterbiev, they become a lamb to the slaughter. Beterbiev can stand in the phone booth, a mere inch or two away, and still generate enough power to finish a fight – Bivol took those as we’d never seen. Suppose anything was noteworthy outside of the technical aspects. In that case, it has to bethe iron chin and durability of Bivol, as he became the first person to avoid a knockout loss to Beterbiev in 21 pro bouts.

As the brave combatant he is, Bivol stood in the face of fear and risked being knocked out on multiple occasions, specifically during the middle of the fight, where he won some rounds. With ten rounds in the bag, many scorecards were tied 5-5, with some giving Bivol the edge 6-4. Of course, the “robbery” claims weren’t helped by Beterbiev’s corner, who told him he needed a knockout following the tenth. People took these words as absolute, but no, it wasn’t… It was the correct approach to coaching a fighter involved in a close fight, and Beterbiev won11 and 12 on every scorecard, which was enough to claim victory.

Look at the SIZE of the swelling on Dmitry Bivol’s left hand after 12 rounds with Artur Beterbiev 😬

Two warriors that left it all in the ring 🤝 #BeterbievBivol pic.twitter.com/npbWdWiLub

— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) October 13, 2024

Beterbiev vs. Bivol: Nobody Was Robbed

The intensity following the result, when Bivol applied ice to his wounded face, and Beterbiev merely shrugged when questioned about his victory, there were demands for an immediate rematch. Emotion, fury, and relief permeated the back hallways of the Arena on the periphery of the luminous metropolis; it could and likely should occur again.

There isn’t a boxing fan alive that isn’t hoping we get to see it again. The first 12 roundsare akin to sneaking chocolate out of the fridge at midnight; the next fight could be the three-course meal. There was no diamond heist at the Kingdom Arena this past Saturday, just one of the best fights in history with two of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of gloves, their top-tier attributes, and determination for elite status; nobody denies it was close, but no matter which way the result could’ve, would’ve, and should’ve panned out, the term ‘robbery’ simply cannot be used.

Watched Beterbiev-Bivol back. Here’s a couple of thoughts. 🧵

In no way was that a robbery – it was a razor-close fight with both men having a solid case for winning. 7-5 either way or a draw are all perfectly reasonable scorecards. I edged it to Beterbiev personally, but…

— Taylor O’Higgins (@TaylorOnSport) October 13, 2024

Boxing Predictions: Beterbiev vs. Bivol II

Name a fighter in the 205lb weight class more deserving than a shot at Beterbiev over Bivol; I’ll wait…

The good news isthat His Excellency Turki Alashikh, the most powerful entity in boxing, instantly proposed a solution to the controversy surrounding the scorecards: a rematch!

“This was one of the great fights of the last 20 years, I think,” His Excellency said post-fight. “But I don’t think the result was fair, in my opinion. The two fighters are like my brothers, but Bivol won two more rounds. I will focus, and I will try to do the rematch. If they accept, we will do it.”

The rematch is guaranteed; the only question remains: will both fighters agree? Of course, Bivol will undeniably sign on the dotted line for a chance at redemption. Beterbiev, however, aged 39 and following major leg surgery, could decide to call it a day, and honestly, could you blame him?

That said, I have a funny inkling that Turki’s endless cash flow can somehow convince Beterbiev to take the rematch… But for now, we must hope and pray that the boxing gods will again bless us with this matchup so we can bet on it at BetUS Sportsbook.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓. 𝐀. 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓.@ABeterbiev vs. @bivol_d… an instant classic 👑#BeterbievBivol | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/iQvryIkEWb

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 13, 2024

Questions of the Day