ARTUR BETERBIEV’S enthralling victory over Dmitry Bivol had an unpredictable opening – even before they got inside the ring.
There was a surprise break from protocol moments ahead of a ding-dong fight from which Beterbiev eventually emerged as undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world by a majority verdict.
Bivol landed on Beterbiev here but lost on points by a majority decision[/caption]
Beterbiev triumphed in what some pundits called a ‘chess match’[/caption]
Bivol left it all in the ring in a humdinger of a fight[/caption]
The Russian-Canadian, who started the night as a three-belt title-holder, was the man chosen to walk out first.
Normally whoever is first out into the arena has the same honour when it comes to getting in the ring.
But this time an announcement revealed the opposite would happen – with Bivol stepping in before his opponent.
He entered the long-awaited contest as the WBA light-heavyweight champ, boasting 23 wins in 23 fights, with 12 knockouts.
Meanwhile, Beterbiev had triumphed by KO in all his 20 previous bouts.
That made him boxing’s only current champion with a 100% stoppage rate.
And when he stepped into the ring – AFTER Bivol – he ignored the usual glitz of these occasions.
Instead of a big, brash outfit he opted for an old Fred Perry T-shirt.
Battered Bivol was gutted to lose the verdict[/caption]
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However, once the fight started, however, there was no dressing down from either man – as they went toe to toe at times amid an absorbing contest that lived up to expectations.
The build-up to the fight had been unusual for more than the switch from protocol.
Several musical acts strutted their stuff, including Ciara, Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes.
Boxing legends Beterbiev and Bivol then bust a gut as each attempted to unify the crowns.
The Canadian-Russian, 39, took the verdict despite one judge calling it a draw – with the scores being 114-114, 115-113, 116-112.
It means Beterbiev is the division’s first undisputed champ since Roy Jones Jr 22 years ago.
Bivol vs Beterbiev was billed as one of the fights of the year[/caption]
