Artur Beterbiev outpoints Dmitry Bivol, Fabio Wardley knocks out Frazer Clarke. Artur Beterbiev beat Dmitry Bivol by majority decision to become the undisputed light-heavyweight world champion as one of boxing’s most-anticipated fights lived up to the hype in Saudi Arabia. In a contest that could have gone either way, Bivol, 33, won the earlier rounds with his superior movement and combinations. Fellow undefeated Russian Beterbiev, 39, was undeterred and forced his way back into the fight with relentless pressure and power punching.
With scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112, Artur Beterbiev becomes the division’s first undisputed champion since 2002, and the first ever in the four-belt era.
“I feel not bad. I did not good today. I wanted to box with more quality,” said a modest Beterbiev – who is now WBC, WBA (Super), IBF and WBO champion.
Bivol was defeated for the first time in 24 bouts.
“I am a warrior. I don’t know, I did my job but I felt like I could do better but it was just the opinion of some judges,” he said.
In the chief support, Fabio Wardley retained the British heavyweight title with a spectacular first-round stoppage win over Frazer Clarke in a rematch of March’s fight-of-the-year contender.
Wardley, 29, landed a heavy, looping right hand to hurt the challenger and floored him with another ferocious right.
A dazed Clarke admirably rose to his feet but was in no position to continue as the referee halted the contest.
If the headlines “Artur Beterbiev outpoints Dmitry Bivol” come true, it would be one of the biggest moments in boxing, especially in the **light heavyweight** and **heavyweight** divisions. Let’s take a closer look:
- Artur Beterbiev Outpoints Dmitry Bivol :
- Light Heavyweight Superfight : The fight between **Artur Beterbiev** and **Dmitry Bivol** is one of the most anticipated by boxing fans. Both fighters are world champions in the **light heavyweight (175-pound)** division, with Beterbiev holding the WBC, IBF, and WBO titles, while Bivol is the WBA champion.
- Points Win for Beterbiev : If Beterbiev wins via points decision, it would show that he is capable of dealing with the technique and speed of Bivol, who is known as a defensive and tactical fighter. Beterbiev is known for his punching power (with a **100% knockout record before this**), so if he wins the fight via decision, it would signal an evolution in his fighting style, becoming more patient and strategic in his pursuit of victory.
- Major Consequences : A win would make Beterbiev the **undisputed** light heavyweight champion, unifying all world titles in his possession. It would also establish him as one of the best fighters in the world, while also solidifying his legacy in boxing.
- Fabio Wardley Knocks Out Frazer Clarke :
- Heavyweight Fight**: Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke are two of the UK’s rising heavyweights. Wardley, who is known for his fast-growing professional career, has an aggressive style and often looks for knockouts. On the other hand, Frazer Clarke, an Olympic medallist, is seen as a big prospect in the division.
- Wardley KO**: If Wardley can knock out Clarke, it would be a huge statement that he is ready to be a serious force in the heavyweight division. It could also indicate that Clarke, while talented, may not be ready to face top-level fighters in the professional world, or that he needs to work on certain aspects of his game.
- Heavyweight Impact**: This knockout would elevate Wardley’s status and potentially put him on the path to bigger fights against top fighters like Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, or even a world title shot in the future.
Overall Thoughts :
– **Beterbiev vs. Bivol** was a clash between two elite fighters who are incredibly strong in the light heavyweight division, and this result shows that Beterbiev is able to adapt and not just rely on power. The decision victory shows the depth of his strategy as a fighter.
– **Wardley knocking out Clarke** could be a major shift in the British heavyweight division, establishing Wardley as one of the top prospects in the heavyweight division and potentially a serious threat to future title contenders.
Overall, these headlines indicate significant changes in two significant weight divisions, with the potential to bring big fights in the future.