This highly anticipated fight between current pound for pound top 10 fighters, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev promised to be one of the biggest clashes in boxing, akin to Terence Crawford's victory over Errol Spence Jr. For years, fans had been waiting for this matchup, and, for me, the fight didn’t disappoint. My prediction (click here if you want to read it!) was that Bivol would control the early rounds with his jab and movement, but Beterbiev’s relentless pressure would eventually wear him down and turn the tide. I believed the fight would be close, with Beterbiev edging out a hard-fought victory.
If you prefer to watch a video breakdown of the fight then check out my YouTube video here!
Beterbiev Vs Bivol: Round-by-Round Breakdown
Here's a very broad round by round breakdown of the fight as I saw it.
Round 1: Bivol (10-9)
Bivol came out strong, using his signature jab and left hook to control the action and occupy the space. Beterbiev, a notoriously slow starter, struggled for range and allowed Bivol to set the pace early. Despite a brief loss of balance in the final seconds upon receiving a combination from Beterbiev, Bivol’s control of range and sharp combinations secured the round for him.
Round 2: Bivol (10-9)
Much of the same followed in round two, as Bivol continued to dominate with his lead hand and flashy 2 and 3 punch combinations. Beterbiev, still working on finding his rhythm, struggled to land anything significant. Bivol’s jab was landing clean and with snap, and while Beterbiev began figuring out the range, Bivol’s control of distance gave him the clear edge once more.
Round 3: Bivol (10-9)
This round was closer, with Beterbiev starting to find some success, particularly with his pressure and moving to his right, away from the Bivol right hand. However, I gave the round to Bivol based on his flashier combinations. He was boxing reactively and constantly being pushed but doing enough to edge it. Beterbiev’s power shots, though effective, weren’t yet accumulating significant damage.
Round 4: Beterbiev (9-10)
Beterbiev began taking control here. His jabs became more frequent, occupying Bivol's lead hand, and his body shots started to find a home. Bivol was still fast with his jab and trying to recapture his earlier success, but Beterbiev’s consistent pressure and more frequent chaining of punches took the round. I tweeted at this point that people were underestimating how much effort Bivol was expending just to keep Beterbiev off him, and it would catch up with him.
Round 5: Beterbiev (9-10)
For me, the momentum had fully shifted now. Bivol, no longer as active or fluid, found himself on the back foot, unable to control the distance like before and incapable of getting anything off that turned the tide. Beterbiev’s body shots were lifting Bivol’s guard and exposing the body (though Beterbiev could have, in my opinion, capitalised on it more), and his work rate was starting to overwhelm Bivol.
Round 6: Beterbiev (9-10)
Beterbiev’s control became more apparent as he continued to press forward, intelligently cutting off the ring, defending more of Bivol's flurries and targeting Bivol’s body and head with his usual precision. Bivol’s jab, which had been effective early on, was no longer enough to deter Beterbiev and Bivol began throwing it with less frequency. Beterbiev’s accuracy, especially with his inside work, kept Bivol on the defensive throughout the round.
Round 7: Beterbiev (9-10)
Bivol's output dropped significantly in round seven, with Beterbiev fully dictating the pace. He wasn’t just throwing heavy punches but selecting his shots with precision, forcing Bivol to react rather than control. Although Bivol attempted to flurry at the end of the round, as I mentioned in my live tweet commentary, these short bursts weren’t enough to negate the 2.5 minutes of control and dominance from Beterbiev.
Round 8: Beterbiev (9-10)
At this stage, I scored the fight 5-3, comfortably in favour of Beterbiev if I was giving no rounds as drawn. Beterbiev’s work rate and control of the ring were fully on display if you ignored the commentary and watched the fight objectively. He kept Bivol on the back foot, working the body effectively. While Bivol landed occasional jabs and combinations, Beterbiev deflected or absorbed most of the damage without issue and never looked in any trouble.
Round 9: Bivol (10-9)
This was Bivol’s best round in the second half of the fight. Beterbiev appeared to slow down slightly and almost took a round off, allowing Bivol to land some cleaner shots. Bivol’s jab and footwork were more effective here, and although Beterbiev still applied pressure, it wasn’t as consistent or effective as in previous rounds. Although I believe Bivol was buoyed by his success in this round, the lack of effect shown on Beterbiev may have also had a disheartening effect.
Round 10: Beterbiev (9-10)
Beterbiev bounced back in the tenth after a rousing speech by his corner team, resuming his relentless pace. His body work was especially telling, and he lifted Bivol’s guard with several well-placed shots and picked beautiful right hooks into the rib cage. Bivol couldn’t control the exchanges and had no real defensive answer except to shell up, resorting to short bursts of offense, which weren’t enough to sway the round in his favour.
Round 11: Beterbiev (9-10)
Beterbiev dominated this round with steady pressure and clean shots. Bivol continued to circle, but Beterbiev was able to cut off the ring and land his powerful punches. I noted that Bivol’s flurries, while flashy, weren’t nearly as impactful as the sustained work Beterbiev was putting in. The Russian’s composure and control were on full display. Bivol looked hurt, not badly, but visibly, at multiple times in this round and Beterbiev pushed hard to try and capitalise - to Bivol's credit, he kept his feet moving, his guard high and made it through the round.
Round 12: Beterbiev (9-10)
Beterbiev finished the fight very strong, with Bivol attempting to steal another round through brief bursts of ineffective activity but ultimately failing to match Beterbiev’s consistent output. Beterbiev’s shots, especially to the body, wore Bivol down, and his pressure ensured that he stayed ahead. Bivol, clearly out of answers in the 12th, couldn’t change the course of the fight.
Beterbiev Vs Bivol: Overall Fight Analysis
Looking at the fight as a whole, the narrative, for me, was clear—Bivol started fast but, due to the controlled pressure of Beterbiev, simply couldn't maintain the pace. In the first half of the fight, he relied heavily on his jab and movement to stay ahead, but his high output, twitchy counters and rapid disengagement wasn’t sustainable. As I mentioned in my live tweets, Bivol’s breathing seemed out of sync, and the effort required to keep Beterbiev at bay eventually caught up with him.
Beterbiev’s shot selection was key in turning the tide. When he started sitting down on his punches and targeting Bivol’s body and putting uppercuts through the middle, the dynamic of the fight changed. The overhand right became available and, even when absorbed by Bivol's tight guard, the shots high on the head had an effect. Bivol’s late-round flurries, which some may have viewed as round stealers, didn’t undo the consistent, effective work Beterbiev put in during each round. Despite the commentary team overly, relentlessly praising Bivol’s moments, Beterbiev was the one dictating the pace and control of the fight.
Beterbiev’s ability to control the ring, land consistent shots, and wear down his opponent was evident throughout. His touch jab pushing the Bivol guard up kept Dmitry hesitant, making it difficult for him to establish any meaningful offense beyond the third. Bivol, though incredibly skilled, couldn’t match Beterbiev’s discipline, pressure, and ability to adjust. By the end, it was clear to me that Beterbiev deserved the victory, solidifying his place as the true undisputed light heavyweight champion.
Conclusion
In the end, I scored the fight 116-112 for Beterbiev, and I firmly stand by that despite widespread disagreement. Bivol’s impressive start ultimately gave way to Beterbiev’s relentless pace, calculated pressure, and perfectly timed shots. Over 12 rounds, Beterbiev’s methodical, powerful style dominated the fight. Though Bivol had his moments, it was Beterbiev’s control of distance, pace, and his consistent attack that decisively earned him the win.
To score a fight accurately, you must evaluate who controls the distance, dictates the pace, and lands the more impactful shots. Beterbiev undeniably achieved these for the majority of the fight, while Bivol managed them only for four rounds.
This was a battle between the two best light heavyweights in the world, and regardless of individual opinions on the outcome, both fighters carried themselves with exceptional professionalism. We, as fans, should mirror the humility and respect they showed after the fight, recognizing their outstanding representation of the sport.
Until the rematch!
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