Dimitri Bivol defeated Artur Bertbiev in the decision of a partition-points to claim a light-hearted world title in Saudi Arabia.
Russian Dimitri Bivol avenged a previous defeat from Artur Bertbiev on the decision of the majority points at an epic Remach in Saudi Arabia.
The judges fought on Sunday in Riyadh 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113.
Last encounter in last October, when both went to toe as an unbeaten champion, ended with the same score, but for the Russian-born Canadian Betterbiev who gave WBA belt to their WBC, WBO and IBF people couple.
This time, 34 -year -old Bivol was better at night, carrying a gear forward and the old rival with his bearded, now 40, taking a fight with combinations of determination and classy.
1–1 results opens the way for an unavoidable third clash between the two.
“In fact, I didn’t want a second battle, it was not my choice, but no problem. We are going to do a third battle,” Betbiev, who did not shake Bivol’s hand, said in the ring after the score announced.
Bivol said that he was for any challenge, but was needed after his hard work.
Russian said, “I want to heal myself a little and come back.”
“I did not have much pressure as last time. I just wanted to work from the first round by the end of 12th. I did enough and I won it.
“I was better, I was pushing myself more, I was more confident, I was light and I wanted to win so much today.”
Bivol had better than his opponent in the first three rounds, but the champion found his rhythm in the fourth in a vibrant battle compared to the first one, but still very little to separate the two.
In the last bell, neither the boxer results can be sure, both are waiting to read the score without celebrating in advance.
“I don’t want to talk about the decision – it’s difficult. Congratulations to Bivol’s team, “Betterbiev said, who can claim the last round.
“I felt that this fight was better than the first fight, but we would see. Now my time is to come back. ,
Earlier, three -time world champion Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC Lightweight title after stopping a British electrician Josh Padle, which was three days to prepare for the fight at the end of the nine rounds.
Former WBO World Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker stopped another late replacement Martin Bacol in two rounds in his WBO Interim bout.
