Artur Beterbiev against Dmitry Bivol was what boxing is all about. Two guys at their best battling out and creating a masterpiece of a battle. The fight was close and now I’ll rewatch it and break it down and see if I agree with the decision.
Round 1: The first round was a feeling-out process for both boxers. You see them each try to win the lead foot battle. The difference early on is that Bivol would throw multiple strikes at once, whereas Beterbiev was looking for openings and would only really throw one at a time. Beterbiev would step up the pressure near the end of the round, but Bivol countered well and landed, which I think takes the round for him. 10-9 Bivol.
Round 2: Bivol starts to double and triple up his jabs, which helps keep Beterbiev at a distance and stops him from pressuring. Beterbiev does start to pressure Bivol well in this round, but because he is only throwing one at a time, he isn’t really winning the round. Bivol does the smart thing of flurrying well, which lands, which, for me, wins him the round again as he is doing the damage, but you can see what Beterbiev is setting up with his pressuring. 10-9 Bivol
Round 3: This is a much better round for Beterbiev. His pressure starts to affect Bivol, and he starts to throw multiple punches, which Bivol does not like. Bivol was still there and had occasional flurries, but most of this round was Beterbiev dictating the pace and having Bivol move around the ropes. 10-9 Beterbiev
Round 4: This is the closest round so far. Depending on how you score a round will determine who you think won it. Bivol had the volume with his jab and combos, whereas Beterbiev had the damage and pressure. I favour damage, which is why I think Beterbiev takes the round purely, as his pressure and damage were more apparent than Bivol’s volume for me. 10-9 Beterbiev.
Round 5: Very good round for Beterbiev. He continued to control the fight with his pressure and step up his volume which Bivol did not like and most of the round was Bivol moving backwards and blocking. Clear Beterbiev round. 10-9 Beterbiev.
Round 6: Beterbiev starts this round well, keeping his pressure up and striking well, but Bivol decides to fight back with combinations with some ending to the body, which was good. Bivol has a good middle of the fight, but Beterbiev turns it on again near the end of the round to take it for me. 10-9 Beterbiev.
Round 7: Really good round to watch. Bivol was looking good with his combination, and work to the body was beautiful, but Beterbiev seemed to catch Bivol with a lead uppercut, which clearly hurt Bivol, and Beterbiev went for it until the end of the round. It was a very close round that was difficult to judge, but I feel that most of the round was Bivol doing damage and fighting well, so I think he took the round. 10-9 Bivol.
Round 8: Good round from Bivol. He sets his pace in this round, which Beterbiev accepts. Bivol does well with his combinations, and even near the end of the round, he turns it up to make sure that he takes the round. 10-9 Bivol.
Round 9: Another good round for Bivol. Similar to the 8th round he sets his pace and works his combos well. You can see that he was slowing down due to Beterbiev still pressuring him which you can see might come in handy with these last few rounds. 10-9 Bivol.
Round 10: Beterbiev turns it back on in this round. His pressure is something any boxer should learn from as he does it so well and causes his opponents to tire without even realising it. Bivol has a slight burst with his combinations but Beterbiev shuts it off and finishes the round strong with constant strikes that Bivol does not like. 10-9 Beterbiev.
Round 11: Beterbiev starts to play with Bivol and is constantly peppering short strikes at Bivol. The last minute especially, it feels like Bivol is just taking damage from Beterbiev. Beterbiev is a master of knowing when he needs to turn it on. He knows when he needs to win a round, and with this fight being close, he starts to really tee off on Bivol. 10-9 Beterbiev.
Round 12: I said it live when the fight was happening and wanted to say it again that this round is why boxing is beautiful. Two of the very best guys doing what they do best. Beterbiev is masterful and again turns it up a notch when he knows its needed and takes the round for me.
FINAL SCORING: 115 Beterbiev -113 Bivol
OVERALL THOUGHTS
WOW, I loved this fight. This is the type of fight that makes me love boxing, as when you see two of the best just going at it at the highest level, you get to witness beautiful scenes. I felt that Beterbiev did win the fight, but I wouldn’t have been mad if it was a draw because some of the rounds were close, and I just favoured the pressure and damage of Beterbiev more. I’d love to see a rematch, as this is easily one of my favourite fights of the year. Beterbiev is a dangerous man, and it’s crazy that he performs at such a high level at 39 years old. Bivol was very much in this fight, and maybe he will find out how to deal with Beterbiev’s pressure in his next training camp and get the win the next time. All I know is that I want this fight to keep happening as it was such a fun watch, even on my second time watching.