(This post veryfirst appeared on USA TODAY Sports.)
Artur Beterbiev beat Dmitry Bivol by bulk choice Saturday in Saudi Arabia, winning the combined light heavyweight champion.
Beterview, 39, revealed remarkable power and left Bivol’s face terribly inflamed under his left eye. Bivol, 33, revealed breeze in his punches too, however he might not avert enough blows.
“He’s effective, extremely effective,’’ Bivol stated.
Beterbiev outlanded Bivol in power punches 90-86, according to DAZN. But Beterbiev stated, “Today I’m fortunate, too.’’
The judges scored it 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112.
Beterbiev handed Bivol his veryfirst loss while enhancing to 21-0 however stoppedworking to rating a knockout for the veryfirst time of his profession. Bivol fell to 23-1.
Beterbiev gotin with the IBF, WBC and WBO world light heavyweight champion titles. Bivol wentinto as the WBA world light heavyweight champion.
Round-by-round analysis
Round 1: Bivol out quick ripping jabs. Beterbiev tossing out his jab with less authority. Boxers sensation things out, while Bivol still shooting the jab. Bivol spices it up with a left hook. Bivol follows up a left with a . Beterbiev chooses up the rate, and Bivol surfaces quickly. Bivol 10, Beterbiev 9.
Round 2: Now Beterbiev’s out fast behind his jab. Bivol reacts with his own jab, and looks like he’ll be shooting that all day. It’s Beterbiev stalking. But he’s yet to be able to capitalize. Bivol’s footwork is serving him well. Bivol 20, Beterbiev 18.
Round 3: Beterbiev out fast onceagain and moving forward. Bivol still reacting with the jab. Nice exchange, and Bivol on the attack. Bivol on the move, however Beterbiev captures up with a . Back comes Bivol with his own . Getting a little rough, and Beterbiev revealing more power. Bivol 29, Beterbiev 28.
Round 4: Beterbiev looks significantly comfy as he stalks Bivol. But Bivol counters. Bivol reducestheeffectsof a rise by Beterviev with counterpunches. Bviol deflecting punches with a high guard. It’s Beterbiev’s right vs. Bivol’s jab and periodic combinations. Bivol 39, Beterbiev 37.
Round 5: Beterbiev stalking onceagain, however Bivol stands his ground. They me