BERETERBIEV LOSES TO BIVOL IN EXCITING REMATCH
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In a highly anticipated rematch, Artur Beterbiev (16-1, 11 KOs) successfully defended his WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles against the challenger, Joe Smith Jr. (26-3, 21 KOs), with a dominant performance in the 12-round bout held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tonight.
The two fighters clashed in a recent war, and although this match was expected to be another thrilling and grueling contest, Beterbiev’s superior skill and precision ultimately gave him the edge he needed to win by wide margins on the scorecards.
Beterbiev, the 35-year-old Russian champion, came into the fight looking to assert his supremacy in the division, while Smith, 31, needed a monumental upset to claim the titles. The action was intense from the opening bell, with both men establishing a rapid pace, trading blows and giving no quarter. The New Yorker, Smith, was determined to come at Beterbiev with all-out aggression, but the Russian fighter was prepared for the challenge.
As the rounds progressed, the disparity between the two became increasingly evident. Beterbiev’s technical mastery, precision, and power proved too much for the rugged, yet rusty, Smith, who was matched up against a formidable foe. The champion’s cleverness, set up with devastating right hands and left hooks, left his opponent reeling on more than one occasion. Smith’s output was steady, yet his lack of speed and footwork played right into Beterbiev’s hands, as the Russian was able to use his reach and movement to dictate the pace.
In the later rounds, it became clear that Beterbiev had the better end of the fight, winning four of the last five rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. When the final bell sounded, the judges rendered their verdict: Beterbiev the winner by unanimous decision, with scores of 117-109, 117-109, and 116-110.
Post-fight, an exhausted but jubilant Beterbiev expressed his satisfaction with the result. "I knew I had to be prepared for a tough fight," he said. "Joe is a strong opponent, but my strategy worked out well. I was patient, kept my distance, and landed the perfect shots when I needed to." Smith, who showed his usual grit and determination, conceded defeat, admitting that he was "just out-classed" and promised to regroup and come back stronger.
In the aftermath of this closely contested and hard-fought battle, Beterbiev cements his position as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, backing up his reputation as a formidable force in the light heavyweight division.
