Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 official scorecards: Did judges get it right in undisputed title rematch?

Dmitry Bivol won a majority decision to take the undisputed light-heavyweight belts from Artur Beterbiev, four months after the latter secured the same result. Dmitry Bivol won the undisputed light-heavyweight titles from Artur Beterbiev on Saturday, avenging a narrow loss to the latter in the process.

In October, Beterbiev won a majority decision against Bivol, unifying all the major belts – although many observers felt Bivol had done enough to win. Still, Bivol claimed he had to “add more” in a rematch, and the 34-year-old did just that, winning a majority decision of his own. That also meant he handed Beterbiev his first professional loss, four months after the 40-year-old did the same to him.

The scorecards in the rematch read 114-114, 116-112, 115-113, with the latter two in Bivol’s favour, but was that the correct ruling? Below are the official, round-by-round scorecards from the judges, followed by a detailed breakdown of how Indy Sport scored the bout...

Round one. Both men landing jabs, Bivol beating Beterbiev to the punch in most cases. Beterbiev with a decent body shot, but Bivol responding in kind. Bivol blocks a right cross up top, but absorbs a right hook to the body. Bivol started on the front foot but is finding himself pushed back as the round goes on. Challenger almost lands a hard right cross, but it looks blocked. One-two from Bivol, just as Beterbiev starts to find a forward rhythm again. Beterbiev with a cross to the head late in the round, Bivol with a one-two on the bell. Beterbiev 9-10 Bivol.

Round two. Beterbiev straight after Bivol, but walking onto shots. One-two for Bivol again. Beterbiev, face already reddened, is pressing forward constantly. Bivol is blocking the majority of Beterbiev’s jabs. Beterbiev loads up on one combination, but doesn’t land clean. Bivol’s jab proving sharp, effective. The challenger is forced to circle, but he lands a beautiful cross! Beterbiev sees a cross blocked. Bivol switches stances and throws a slew of jabs – the subsequent cross is kept out by Beterbiev’s guard, though. Beterbiev with a heavy right hook to the body. Beterbiev 9-10 Bivol.

Round three. Heavy offence by Beterbiev early in the third – not getting through clean, but making quite the noise. Nice counter cross by Bivol. Double-jab from Beterbiev. Another fine cross by Bivol, then a grazing right hook from Beterbiev. Flurry from Bivol, who targets the head then slings one shot to the body. Bivol rolls under a right hook, then tries to shove the champion away. Bivol blocks again, then lets go with three combinations, before circling away. Beterbiev jabs to the midriff. Bivol with a prolonged combination upstairs, squeezing a few shots through the guard. Heavy right hand from Beterbiev, then a left hook to the body! But Bivol fires back with five or six shots! Beterbiev gets a right in, too! Beterbiev 9-10 Bivol.

Round four. Beterbiev starts fast again, landing a winging right hook, and Bivol is reddened on the nose! Hook to the body by Beterbiev. Bivol looks to be resting slightly, and when he does throw, Beterbiev is showing good head movement. Beterbiev with a jab to the body, then a flurry that ends in a left hook, which has Bivol wobbling! Not rocked, just off-balance. Bivol with a combo of his own, but Beterbiev goes body then head with power. Cross to the body by Bivol, then another. Power jab from Beterbiev, who then walks onto a shot and has his head snapped back. Beterbiev 10-9 Bivol.

Round five. Clubbing right hook to the body by Beterbiev. He corners Bivol and just about lands a cross, then another thudding hook to the mid-section. Beterbiev slows slightly now, but Bivol can’t capitalise, as he too uses time to recover. Now he gets back to the jab, switching targets. Beterbiev resumes his forward pressure but eats a well-timed right cross from Bivol, who then evades a hook. Right crosses to the head are working for Beterbiev now, and another left hook to the body. Bivol looks worried late in the round, as Beterbiev gets through with increasing frequency! Beterbiev 10-9 Bivol.

Round six. Jab by Bivol, cross by Beterbiev. Good jabs by Beterbiev, but Bivol responds in kind. Beterbiev backs up Bivol and throws a teasing combination – just testing the guard. Bivol with a timely cross. A left hook barely misses for Bivol, who then succeeds with some straights. Beterbiev retaliates by stalking the challenger and landing a hard right. More rights, and Bivol can’t rest. The challenger with some clever flurries now, though, including some clean lefts! Beterbiev’s face is badly marked... Heavy body cross from Bivol, but he eats a cross from the champ, too! Beterbiev with a strong final few seconds. The closest round of the fight so far, could go either way. Beterbiev 10-9 Bivol.

Round seven. Overhand right just about lands for Beterbiev, who blocks a heavy cross attempt. Leaping right hand from Beterbiev is partially blocked. He cuts down the ring and peppers Bivol with both hands. Bivol with a one-two, but it doesn’t faze the champ. Double-jab stings Beterbiev. More tidy jabs from Bivol, who varies his targets. Now a left hook at the end of a combination is on point for Bivol, who has grown into this round and maybe taken it late on. Beterbiev 9-10 Bivol.