The Case for a Beterbiev vs. Bivol Rematch: Deciding the True Light Heavyweight Champion

Artur Beterbiev's clash with Dmitry Bivol was a highly anticipated bout that had been seven years in the making, orchestrated by Turki Alalshikh to establish an undisputed light heavyweight champion and ascertain dominance in the 175-pound division. This match also had the potential to elevate a new contender into the pound-for-pound elite discussions. The event, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showcased the exceptional skills of both fighters, yet the 12 rounds of action did not yield a definitive outcome, living up to the pre-fight excitement. Although Beterbiev secured a majority decision with scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 114-114, public sentiment appeared to lean towards Bivol. Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez, boxing's leading figure, is seeking retribution against Bivol, who previously defeated him in May 2022, while Bivol now aims for a rematch with Beterbiev. "I understand that I must perform flawlessly, and I have no excuses," stated Bivol, who was ranked as ESPN's No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter. "... If I get the opportunity for a rematch, I will seize it. My aspiration is to become undisputed." At 33 years old, Bivol was making significant strides toward this goal, effectively outboxing Beterbiev with his superior jab and footwork, while also frustrating him from a distance. Bivol managed to absorb many of Beterbiev's powerful punches using his high guard, but the cumulative effect of those strikes, even when blocked, was notable. Beterbiev, at 39, entered the ring as the only champion in boxing with a perfect knockout ratio. He triumphed in the final three rounds on all judges' scorecards, ultimately winning the decision and leaving Bivol with a severely bruised left eye. "He is incredibly powerful," remarked Bivol, whose record stands at 23-1 with 12 KOs. "You can see the bruise on my hand from blocking his punches. He consistently landed hard shots, even reaching my eye."

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This contest was significantly more difficult to judge than Oleksandr Usyk's decisive heavyweight championship win against Tyson Fury in May, which also occurred in Riyadh. Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, is set to organize the heavyweight rematch on December 21, and it is hoped that he will also facilitate a similar event next year for Beterbiev and Bivol. Only then can the title of the greatest light heavyweight of this generation be determined. Had Bivol emerged victorious, a potential rematch with Canelo, as well as a rematch with Beterbiev, would have been on the table. However, those prospects have now vanished. Following his victory over Edgar Berlanga in September, Canelo remarked that Bivol "has that ability to [beat Beterbiev]," emphasizing his interest in Bivol only if he secured a win, not in Beterbiev. The last significant light heavyweight encounters were the two bouts between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev in 2016-17. Ward, similar to Beterbiev, won the initial match under contentious circumstances but decisively claimed victory in the rematch with an eighth-round TKO. Now, boxing enthusiasts—along with Beterbiev and Bivol—seek clarity as both approach their eventual induction into the Hall of Fame. "I aimed to box with greater quality today," Beterbiev stated. "I am unsure why, but I was not satisfied with this fight. However, I will improve in the future. If His Excellency [Alalshikh] desires [the rematch], then we can proceed."