It's fight week in Riyadh with the eagerly anticipated undisputed light heavyweight rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
When the first fight took place in October, it was Beterbiev who got the win in what was a razor close majority decision. Two of the ringside judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 in Beterbiev's favour, whilst the other scored the contest a draw.
With a fight as close as this, there were cries outrage with some believing Bivol had done enough to win and the debate will now be settled with a rematch this Saturday on DAZN PPV.
As the anticipation and build-up reaches fever pitch, I watched back the first fight for the first time since October 12, to see whether I came out with the same verdict as before or a different outcome.
On fight night, I scored the original contest 115-114 in Beterbiev's favour. This was my full round-by-round scorecard.
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
| Artur Beterbiev | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 115 |
| Dmitry Bivol | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 114 |
Now it was time to re-watch the Beterbiev vs Bivol 1 to see whether anything had changed four months on from a memorable night in Riyadh.
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 1 fight re-watch
Round 1
The opening round of any big title fight is often a cagey one, but it’s Bivol who had the better success. He established his jab early and landed a one-two towards the end, while Beterbiev’s shots were landing on his opponent’s arms and gloves.
10-9 Bivol
Round 2
Bivol’s jab continues to be successful with it frequently getting through Beterbiev’s guard. The latter is struggling to offer anything in return, but he is a fighter known to start slowly.
10-9 Bivol
Round 3
After a quiet opening two rounds, Beterbiev begins to throw a few shots of his own, but it’s Bivol who does the more effective work with two successive 1-2 combinations landing. The contest is beginning to bubble up nicely after they trade right hands in the closing stages.
10-9 Bivol
Round 4
For the first time in the fight, Bivol is kept quiet by Beterbiev as he slowly cranks up the pace. Beterbiev snatches the round from his rival with a few successfully landed punches in the final 10 seconds.
10-9 Beterbiev
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Round 5
Another round for Beterbiev and it’s clear what gameplan he is trying to implement. Beterbiev’s right hand, which has produced many a knockout, is beginning to land and it could play a vital role in his effort to win the fight.
10-9 Beterbiev
Round 6
Bivol’s jabs have become less frequent but whenever he does throw a jab to set up the right hand, it works, and he manages to land a scoring shot. Beterbiev, as expected, does not flinch whenever one of these punches lands, and he continues to come forward.
10-9 Bivol
Round 7
Bivol decides to take the initiative in the centre of the ring and begins to let his hands go. Two left hooks sent Beterbiev backpedalling towards the ropes and rocked for the first time in the contest.
10-9 Bivol
Round 8
The quietest round of the fight so far, but it’s Beterbiev who makes it count. He adopts Bivol’s strategy centre ring and lands a few pot shots. Bivol realises that the round is drifting away from him and opens up in the closing seconds.
10-9 Beterbiev
Round 9
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
A good round from Bivol, who is now targeting Beterbiev’s body with a thumping left hand. He follows this up with a combination which secures him the round.
10-9 Bivol
Round 10
It’s usually at this stage of any fight; tiredness sets in, and holes begin to appear in gameplans. Not this time though. Round 10 was a cagey affair, but Bivol steals it, one highlight being a left hand to Beterbiev’s head.
10-9 Bivol
Round 11
Beterbiev has stepped up the pressure with the knowledge that the fight is slipping away from him. He spends round 11 chasing Bivol around the ring, and in the final 20 seconds lands combinations with ease. It’s clear Beterbiev is hoping to produce one of his trademark knockout blows.
10-9 Beterbiev
Round 12
Beterbiev continues his offensive in the final round, landing a right hand early. Whether it is exhaustion or not willing to commit himself with the fear of being knocked out, Bivol has to weather a Beterbiev storm before the final bell of a fascinating undisputed contest.
10-9 Beterbiev
Score totals and round-by-round scorecard
After a second viewing of the first fight between Beterbiev and Bivol, I had a different winner.
This time around it was Bivol with a 115-113 score on my card.
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
| Artur Beterbiev | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 113 |
| Dmitry Bivol | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 115 |
Watch Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 and full Last Crescendo card live on DAZN PPV
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