Dmitrii Yurievich Bivol vs. Artur Asilbekovich Beterbiev & Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey RBR.

In fairness that was his strategy from the beginning. But moreso in the late rounds when AB really applied more pressure, Bivol had no answer and was keen to cover up and survive at that point.

 

In my mind I remember bivol doing nothing at all in 10 and feeling like he might be susceptible to getting knocked out in 11 but he came out strong and had some success, I had him taking that round but it was the closest round in the fight and I could have easily been influenced by my appreciation for the work Bivol did in the previous rounds

 

As I said, I had my questions answered. While it pains you to admit that I am right, this is the reality of the business we are in.

 

Moving backwards to his preferred range. The reason one fighter moves backward and the other forward is that one guy prefers a shorter range for engaging - its not a walking forward competition.

 

Beterbiev didn't look as good as usual, but he was fighting someone who is clearly a top 5 p4p fighter. Admittedly, I can also see father time catching up with Artur.

Totally agree this was a close fight and giving 8 rounds to Beterbiev feels too much, but I don't score round by round unless I feel the need to review a fight.

Bivol was elite in movement and setting up good combinations, but he was not throwing a significant amount of leather. Beterbiev was throwing most of the punches, particularly as the fight progressed and he won the championship rounds clearly.

When I heard 116-112, before knowing the winner, my first thought was Bivol, because of the terribly biased commentary, because a Bivol win could set up a money fight with Canelo. I also felt 116-112 to Bivol was unjustified, just as i think it is unjustified for Artur.

 

Artur won by 3-4 rounds for me.

Bivol far too negative, on the back foot for at least 30 mins of the fight and the rightb man prevailed.

Artur Beterbiev - warrior, legend and undisputed World Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.

 

You do not score points for dodging punches. That is a myth made up by Mayweather fans who gave him rounds for a single punch and then locking up his opponents for 2 minutes.

 

I agree, people keep saying AB only hit gloves, but his guard was solid and Bivol was hitting the guard too. That being said, some of the key head snapping punches came from Bivol, which is probably why some people are claiming a robbery. Obviously scoring a fight is more than that.

 

Bivol won a fan in me tonight. Tough mofo with sublime skills.

 

Beterbiev is not the celebration before winning type of person. That is not a valid argument in this case.

 

GGG Canelo 1 was a robbery, and nothing like this fight.

 

You don’t score points for dodging punches but you are scored for your defence and I think that dodging punches is a big part of judging anyone defensively.
So not a judging criteria on its own but it’s definitely a big part of one of the criteria.

 

Regardless who you thought won I still think it’s impressive how Beterbiev remained highly competitive even in a chess match that’s supposed to favor Bivol. Beterbievs ring IQ is impressive, especially with the adjustments he made.

 

There was no hugging, clowning, illegal blows or sour grapes at the end. Was boxing at it's finest. Salute to both. We are getting it again too.. happy days.

 

And don't forget, the crowning achievement of all of these Riyadh Season cards - No Dave Diamante with his bloated fight intros. I guess they figure they have enough of that

All in all, not a bad night of boxing. I liked one of the prospects I saw, the Eubank fight was one sided as all hell but entertaining, Wardley exceeded my expectations of how he'd win, and the main event lived up to my expectations. The decision didn't land my way and I'm disappointed, but it happens. Bivol's a young man, he'll be undisputed at 175 one day, either through winning a rematch or gathering them one by one. As a fan of Bivol's, that's a prospect I find exciting, at least.

Anyhow, I better conk out, because there's two days of Japanese boxing events in a row, and 3 AM comes early Here's hoping there's some more good boxing on these next couple of days