Artur Beterbiev solidified his place as the undisputed champion of the light heavyweight division after defeating Dmitry Bivol in a thrilling bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight, featuring two of the best fighters in the 175-pound division, ended in a majority decision in favor of Beterbiev, with scorecards reading 115-113, 116-112, and one draw at 114-114. Known for his devastating knockout power, this marked the first time Beterbiev had to settle for a decision victory.

The fight began with Bivol taking an active approach, using his jab effectively to maintain distance and avoid Beterbiev's powerful punches. In the early rounds, Bivol seemed to be in control, landing cleaner shots and evading most of Beterbiev's attacks. However, as the fight progressed, Beterbiev started closing the gap, applying more pressure, and testing Bivol's endurance.

In the later rounds, Beterbiev clawed back from Bivol’s earlier advantage, demonstrating his adaptability in a fight that at times looked to be slipping away. His trademark power came through with key punches that swayed the judges' scorecards in his favor. While Bivol showed incredible resilience, his decreased activity in the final rounds allowed Beterbiev to seal the win.

With this victory, Beterbiev became the first undisputed light heavyweight champion since Roy Jones Jr., ending a 24-year drought without an absolute champion in the division. This bout was not only historic for the titles at stake but also showcased the technical prowess and heart of both fighters in the ring.