Bivol arguably took the first three rounds of the rematch, before Beterbiev’s usual pressure paid off, bringing him back into the fight and leaving it completely in the balance in the second half.
While Bivol marked up Beterbiev’s face throughout the rematch, the latter cut Bivol badly in the final moments.
Bivol took the undisputed light-heavyweight belts from Beterbiev, after the latter won a narrow decision in their first fight.
A second wind and sustained spell of success saw Bivol claim victory, although he had to battle through moments of adversity along the way, just as he did in the first fight.
In their first clash, Bivol took risks, produced fine combinations, and showed solid defence, but he faded in the latter half of the fight.
