-
Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider
Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol by majority determination to develop into the primary undisputed gentle heavyweight champion within the four-belt period, in a uncommon match between the 2 greatest fighters within the division.
Beterbiev (21-0, 20), the WBC, WBO and IBF titleholder, added teh WBA belt, however noticed his KO streak finish. He was boxing’s solely champion with a 100% knockout ratio getting into the combat, however he wanted to go the gap towards Bivol. Beterbiev has been a 175-pound champion since 2017.
The combat has been years within the making. There hasn’t been an undisputed champion within the division since Roy Jones Jr. vacated certainly one of his titles in 2000 (three-belt period).
Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) had made 12 defenses of the belt earlier than dealing with Beterbiev.
Beterbiev and Bivol have been scheduled to combat June 1 however a month earlier than the bout, Beterbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus and underwent knee surgical procedure, forcing the postponement. Bivol needed to maintain busy and fought Malik Zinad on that date, a sixth-round TKO victory, his solely stoppage win in his previous 10 fights.
Keep right here for combat outcomes and round-by-round evaluation.
