In a highly anticipated rematch, Dmitry Bivol avenged his 2024 loss to Artur Beterbiev with a majority decision victory, reclaiming the undisputed light heavyweight championship. The judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113, and 114-114, showcasing how razor-thin the margin was between these two elite fighters. However, it was Bivol’s adjustments in the rematch that earned him the edge.
Choosing to stand flat-footed rather than relying solely on movement, Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) controlled the pace and out-landed Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) in nine of the twelve rounds. The total punch count underscored his dominance, with Bivol landing 170 punches to Beterbiev’s 123—a stark improvement over their first encounter.
The rivalry between these two warriors seems destined for a trilogy. “We’re going to do a third fight,” Beterbiev said post-fight, making it clear that neither man is ready to leave this chapter unfinished. Boxing fans around the world eagerly await the potential rubber match, which could define the careers of both fighters.
Weekend Highlights
The weekend also featured standout performances across multiple divisions. Joseph Parker delivered a stunning second-round TKO against Martin Bakole. Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) demonstrated sharp precision, landing a punch to Bakole’s temple that sent him to the canvas.
Though Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) attempted to recover, his corner wisely stopped the fight to avoid further damage. The victory solidifies Parker’s place among heavyweight contenders and raises questions about Bakole’s readiness for high-profile matchups given his late arrival in Riyadh for the bout.
In the lightweight division, Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC title with a ninth-round TKO against late replacement Josh Padley (15-1). Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) systematically dismantled Padley, using precise body shots to wear down his opponent.
Despite stepping in on short notice, Padley earned respect for going nine rounds against one of boxing’s brightest stars. Stevenson remains undefeated and continues to showcase why he is considered one of the sport’s premier tacticians.
Other Notable Fights
Carlos Adames and Hamzah Sheeraz fought to a split draw in a thrilling contest for the WBC middleweight title. Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) surged in the second half of the fight but couldn’t secure the victory, as the judges’ scores varied widely: 115-114 Sheeraz, 118-110 Adames, and 114-114. The result preserves Sheeraz’s unbeaten record (21-0-1, 17 KOs) while keeping Adames as a key player in the division.
Meanwhile, Callum Smith defeated Joshua Buatsi by unanimous decision to claim the WBO interim light heavyweight title. Smith (30-1, 22 KOs) showcased superior activity and landed impactful shots to outwork Buatsi (17-2, 13 KOs). Despite Buatsi’s moments of success, particularly in pressuring Smith against the ropes, the judges’ scores—119-110, 115-113, and 116-112—firmly favored Smith.
