Dmitry Bivol has got his revenge and dethroned Artur Beterbiev as the new undisputed light-heavyweight world champion in a boxing blockbuster on Sunday morning.
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There were insane scenes throughout the epic card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Bivol pulling off the headline win via a unanimous decision from the judges.
Four months after their first classic encounter, the 34-year-old edged out the former champ, 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113, with one judge scoring the contest a draw.
It was Russian Beterbiev’s first defeat in 22 professional fights and there have already been calls for the pair to face off again to complete a trilogy.
Brutal Parker KO sets up Usyk fight | 01:27
It was just one of the wild moments on the card, which included Kiwi former heavyweight world champ Joseph Parker scoring a TKO win over Martin Bakole and English fighter Callum Smith being rushed to hospital.
In the main event, there wasn’t a lot that separated Bivol and his 40-year-old opponent in the early rounds — but there was no denying the better fighter won.
“I didn’t have as much pressure like last time. I just wanted to work from the first round until the end of the 12th. I did enough,” said Bivol who never looked back after dominating the early rounds.
“I was better, I was pushing myself more, I was more confident, I was lighter, I was just wanted to win so much today.
“I just told myself he could start from the beginning to destroy me and disturb me, it was hard to keep him distanced over the first four rounds. I was tired but he was tired also.”
After the decision was announced neither fighter made any attempt to shake hands, giving each other the cold shoulder.
“I congratulate Bivol and his team,” Beterbiev said.
“Actually I didn’t want the second fight, it wasn’t my choice. But we’ll do the third fight.”
Queensberry boxing promoter Frank Warren told TNT Sports after the fight that he is already looking forward to a stunning trilogy fight.
Fairytale story ends in brutal fashion
Meanwhile Congo fighter Martin Bakole’s dream of pulling off a stunning heavyweight victory over New Zealand’s Joseph Parker on just two days’ notice were shattered.
Bakole only received the call to replace IBF champion Daniel Dubois for the fight in the Saudi capital on Thursday.
The 31-year-old arrived in the early hours of Saturday morning and the lumbering heavyweight quickly discovered the perils of not having time to adequately prepare or train.
The African was dropped in the second round from a sharp right from Parker before the mismatch was stopped.
Parker was quick to call out WBA, WBO and WBC champ Oleksandr Usyk — who was sitting ringside — next.
Parker said: “Listen, if Usyk wants a dance partner, I’ll get uncle Frank [Warren] to come in here and lock in a fight with Usyk … if he wants a dance partner.
“But I want to fight for a world title.”
Dubois withdrew from facing Parker on Thursday through illness. At that time, Bakole was in the Congo working to close a deal on a new home. Once financial terms were agreed, he grabbed a flight to Ethiopia and then on to the Gulf.
“I want to thank the people of Saudi Arabia and my team. Martin Bakole, thank you very much for accepting the invitation and for giving me a good fight,” Parker told DAZN.
Bakole wasn’t the only fighter climbing into the Riyadh ring at short notice. Four days ago, Josh Padley, electrician by day, boxer by night, was fitting solar panels on a house in Sheffield in northern England.
But after Floyd Schofield was forced to withdraw from his WBC world light heavyweight clash with Shakur Stevenson, the call went out to 29-year-old Padley.
Padley fought gamely but the fight was stopped in the ninth round after the Englishman was dropped to the canvas for a third time.
Englishman rushed to hospital after victory
Callum Smith was rushed to hospital after handing Josh Buatsi the first defeat of his career with an age-defying performance of brilliant brutality and courage, The Sun reports.
The Liverpool light-heavyweight hero looked close to retirement after punishing losses to Canelo Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev left him beaten and adrift.
But he stood up to the tough Ghana-born favourite, sucked up all of his best shots and won a unanimous decision.
The three ringside judges had the horrible job of splitting the two marvellous men – with Steve Gray going far too wide – and decided: 119-110, 115-113 and 116-112.
Smith was then rushed to hospital for an injury to his eye, while Buatsi was assessed by medics at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
— with AFP and The Sun
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