Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 LIVE: Result and fight reaction after undisputed classic and Parker vs Bakole
On a thrilling night of boxing in Riyadh, Dmitry Bivol captured the undisputed light heavyweight titles and revenge against Artur Beterbiev in a thrilling rematch as Joseph Parker knocked out Martin Bakole – who replaced the ill Daniel Dubois
Dmitry Bivol produced a majestic display to defeat Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light-heavyweight titles in a classic rematch four months after their first fight for all the major belts.
After Beterbiev won a controversial decision against Bivol last year, Bivol reversed the decision, this time with a majority decision to become the undisputed light-heavyweight king.
The main event followed a heavyweight war between Joseph Parker and late stand-in Martin Bakole. with the Kiwi dispatching his rival with a crushing second-round knockout.
A stacked undercard saw big wins for Callum Smith Shakur Stevenson, Agit Kabayel and Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Follow live reaction and all the results from Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 below:
Bivol produces sublime display in Beterbiev rematch as we go to the judges' scorecards
Round 12
Bivol up on his feet, perhaps with a lead of three? We have him up 7-4.
Bivol moving now, Beterbiev chasing and throwing with more urgency, is it too late?
Bivol is cut! Beterbiev desperate and trying to force something, big shots raining in, Bivol trapped on the ropes, ties up the champion. The onslaught has arrived, but it’s surely too late...
Both men embrace, a nod, there’s immense respect after 24 rounds shared. Bivol the winner, according to the DAZN broadcast, we’ve got it to Bivol too, 115-113.
Beterbiev and Bivol combine to deliver classic rematch
Round 11
Chris Mannix on DAZN now has Bivol with a lead, 96-94, on the unofficial scorecard.
Punches thrown through 10 rounds: Beterbiev 578-450 Bivol.
Those long limbs from Bivol, he has that elasticity there, one-two and move. It’s proven a tidy formula tonight.
Eddie Hearn is roaring his fighter on, but suddenly the pair open up. Big right hand from Bivol. He’s starting to believe. One round away...
Beterbiev and Bivol combine to deliver classic rematch
Round 10
This one is getting cagey down the stretch, the championship rounds are here.
Now Beterbiev starting to look like he’s chasing Bivol around the ring, rather than closing it off.
A good jab from the champion, but a flurry from Bivol in the final three seconds. He’s surely on top now.
Beterbiev and Bivol combine to deliver classic rematch
Round 9
Mannix has this one even at 4-4. The flow to this fight has been brilliant, no need to break them up.
Bivol ducks under a big right from Beterbiev, magical.
Side to side, one-two, side to side, one-two... It’s a joy to watch Bivol like this. Beterbiev struggling to pin him down now. But there was a crushing body shot from Beterbiev.
Bivol rediscovers rhythm against Beterbiev
Round 8
Jab, left hook from Bivol, tidy work from the outside.
That punch, through seven rounds:
Thrown: 257-206
Landed: 29-57
Bouncing now and throwing hooks, now the jab has various points of attack once more, crisp shots.
That right from Beterbiev a reminder of the danger he poses. But much better from the challenger, who might have opened up a gap if the judges side with him in those close rounds. 5-3.
Beterbiev pegged back by Bivol in rematch?
Round 7
Porter has it 4-2 to Beterbiev, but there have been a couple of close rounds.
Bivol’s corner massaged his legs between rounds, he’ll need them to remain springy as this fight reaches the championship rounds.
The pace has dipped a little, Bivol now waiting to counter, rather than trying to break down Beterbiev. A closer round here. Bivol might’ve nicked it.
Beterbiev seizes control over Bivol as half-way stage approaches
Round 6
A 10th world title defence for Beterbiev... That was real volume from the champion in the fifth, he threw 76 punches to 31 from Bivol, landing 21 to the challenger’s 11.
Darren Barker says Beterbiev was on a treadmill in a hotel’s gym this morning, watching the first fight on a phone.
Bivol’s gloves up and he’s circling in survival mode, but then he holds his feet and throws a combination. Both men cut up.
Jab, jab, right to the body, nice from Bivol. Both men wrestle in the corner as Beterbiev threatened to provoke a throwdown. Another round for the champ. 3-3.
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 in the balance
Round 5
Chris Mannix on DAZN has this fight 2-2, we have Bivol up 3-1.
A bit of a stand-off, but then Beterbiev breaks the truce by spearing a jab towards Bivol. The pace has been ferocious.
A lovely shot from Bivol, reaching in with the left, he’s tagging Beterbiev’s body aplenty.
Huge shot from Beterbiev, Bivol in trouble, but just about staggers into some space and graciously the bell sounds to prevent the onslaught. Beterbiev’s round. 3-2.
Beterbiev pulls back momentum to club Bivol with thudding rights
Round 4
Beterbiev roared on, he fires a massive right that catches Bivol’s head, but then he scurries away. The right hand is ominously finding a home for the champion.
Bivol starting to get knocked around the ring a little, Beterbiev jabs low, the pressure is immense.
Now a whipping left slashes the body of Bivol, he looks menacing, he’s on top here and momentum has swung back viciously.
A first round for the champion, surely. Both men exchanged thudding jabs in the closing seconds, Beterbiev looks overly keen to connect with the right, loading up at every opportunity.
Bivol on top against Beterbiev in engrossing undisputed rematch
Round 3
Get ready for a war, as Beterbiev revs the engine a little, storming out to force Bivol into a short sprint.
Winging right misses by miles, Bivol dancing tonight, it’s early but this is a wonderful start for the challenger.
Beterbiev getting closer, but then Bivol with the uppercut! What a tempo this is, a furious third round.
CARNAGE! Beterbiev detonates, Bivol is in trouble, he fires back, the crowd is on its feet, both men exchanging meaty shots and throwing down, this is brilliant.
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