Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight updates: Beterbiev wins close decision to win undisputed title

Artur Beterbiev is the new undisputed light heavyweight champion after posting a 12-round majority decision over Dmitry Bivol at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. The official scores were 116-112 (disgraceful), 115-113 and 114-114. The Sporting News had it 115-113 for Bivol, but it was a close fight.

WATCH: Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol, exclusively on ESPN+

Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) found himself on the end of a Bivol’s rapier left hand in the early rounds, but, as he always has, the fearsome Russian fighter made the adjustments and inflicted damage. Not to be outdone, Bivol came blazing back in the middle sessions and his combination work was excellent. However, the judges felt Beterbiev’s championship round assault was enough to pull out a history-making triumph.

“I feel... not bad,” the always understated Beterbiev told DAZN. “I wanted more boxing today. I didn’t like this fight. It was a tough fight because Dmitry is a world champion, too.

“During the fight, we always make changes. I wanted to punch him. I [thought I’d won the fight] but it’s not comfortable because usually I’m not waiting for the [final] bell. I was more focused in [the final rounds]. Going [the distance] is a new experience.”

Bivol, 33, exhibited tremendous skill in rounds one through three. However, as good as he looked, you knew the attack was coming. Sensing urgency, Beterbiev put his foot on the gas and started catching his man with bone-breaking shots to head and body. At the end of six rounds, the fight appeared to be even.

Displaying serious bravery, Bivol knew intrinsically that he had to get the best out of himself on the biggest possible stage. Again, the left jab doubled and tripled into Beterbiev’s face and those whipping combinations caught the eye. Bivol appeared to notch up several sessions as the championship rounds approached.

A great fighter, Beterbiev reached down deep and threw everything he had in the final two rounds. Bivol was badly hurt in the eleventh and it looked like he might not reach the finish line. He did, but Beterbiev, who goes the distance for the first time in his career, closed better.

Forget the four-belt era rhetoric, Beterbiev now joins the ranks of Archie Moore, Bob Foster and Michael Spinks as the greatest light heavyweight of his generation. He’s punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame and the sky’s the limit.

Tonight’s bout was considered by many as the best possible fight in boxing. It featured two long-reigning, undefeated world champions and pound-for-pound entrants. That’s the stuff of legend and it will live long in the memory.

“I’m a warrior and I have to do everything perfect,” said a disconsolate Bivol. “I don’t want to make excuses. Congratulations to Artur and his team… he deserves it. I did my job, but I felt like I could make [it] better. It’s the opinion of the judges.

“He’s powerful, very powerful. I have a bruise on my [left] eye because the punch is so powerful [that it came through the glove]. The dream is still to be undisputed.”

Bivol falls to 23-1 (12 KOs).

The Sporting News provided live updates, undercard results, and round-by-round scoring for this spectacular main event in Riyadh.

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol live updates, highlights, and commentary

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: SN live scorecard

THE WINNER BY MAJORITY DECISION IS ARTUR BETERBIEV AND HE IS THE NEW UNDISPUTED LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION. OFFICIAL SCORES ARE 116-112, 115-113 AND 114-114.

Round 12: Beterbiev with the foot down again. Bivol with a great combination but it's tennis balls off a tank. Another combo by Bivol. Beterbiev pressing and doing damage with singles and doubles. HUGE RIGHT BY BETERBIEV TO THE BODY. Bivol fires back again. Incredible stamina given the shots he's taken. Beterbiev has had the best of it due to damage.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Beterbiev (115-113 Bivol)

Round 11: Here he comes again throughout. Beterbiev puts forth a relentless attack and Bivol is feeling it. Beterbiev is like an invincible horror movie villain. Bivol is struggling and he's hurt. He gamely fires back but this round took a lot out of him.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Beterbiev (106-103 Bivol)

Round 10: Bivol out aggressive again. His best shots are caught on the guard but they are SO HEAVY. More multi-punch flurries from Bivol and the scoring is more impressive. Beterbiev marching forward but he's not scoring effectively. Bivol has re-established command.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bivol (97-93 Bivol)

Round 9: One-two Bivol. Beterbiev's intensity has dropped and he's on the end of the left hand again. Great right to the body from Bivol. Terrific combination from Bivol at center ring. Left hook to the body by Bivol. Beterbiev has inexplicably stopped the pace and he can't afford this. Another beautiful combination from Bivol, up and down.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bivol (87-84 Bivol)

Round 8: Both men fencing with the jab after the furious action at the end of the last round. Right to the body by Bivol. One-two falls short from Bivol. Beterbiev on the attack but hits thin air. Big right from Beterbiev but paid back in full again. Whipping combinations from Bivol and he takes the round on those.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 (77-75 Bivol)

Round 7: Sharp right counter from Bivol. Jab from Bivol... and again. Brilliant combination from Bivol scores well. Jab scoring again and Beterbiev just waiting. TERRIFIC COUNTERS PUSH BETERBIEV BACK, WHO RESPONDS FEROCIOUSLY. Beterbiev throwing tons of punches and working hard but missing most of them. I'll give Bivol the round but he was forced to earn it the hard way. GREAT FIGHT!

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bivol (67-66 Bivol)

Round 6: Beterbiev nails Bivol again with two big rights to the body. And he forces his countryman back with the jab and a one-two. Right-hand counter from Bivol. Terrific work from Bivol at center ring but they are nuisance value to Beterbiev, who is undeterred. Close but Beterbiev again. His punches are more effective. The tide has turned.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Beterbiev (57-57 Bivol)

Round 5: Bivol takes center ring and doesn't move as much. He fires the jab and strikes with a nice combination. Bivol moving again and blocking on the retreat, The jab from Bivol. Quick attack falls short from Bivol. Solid jab from Beterbiev... and a HUGE RIGHT to the body. Bivol responds well on the counter.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Beterbiev (48-46 Bivol)

Round 4: Beterbiev coming hard again but he catches a three-piece from Bivol. He's making his opponent work hard. Bivol catching the huge shots on the guard but he'll be feeling these. Bivol doing a lot of moving but not throwing enough here. Bivol falls short with an attack and is under pressure at the bell.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Beterbiev (39-37 Bivol)

Round 3: Beterbiev opens up fast with the left hand and has Bivol on the retreat. Right to the body by Bivol and a jab upstairs. The jab again from Bivol and a pair of terrific one-twos... and another one. Economical but brilliant work again from Bivol. GREAT RIGHT HOOK FROM BETERBIEV. Left hook return from Bivol. Heavy right hand by Beterbiev hits the guard and the pair trade. Beterbiev's shots had an effect but he was tagged way more often than Bivol,

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bivol (30-27 Bivol)

Round 2: The jab from Bivol again... doubling and tripling with it. And again. Beautiful feet from Bivol but misses the combination. Left hook is blocked by Beterbiev. Jab to the body by Bivol, who has settled very well here. Jab annoying Beterbiev. Great jab by the WBA champ. Easy round for Bivol.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bivol (20-18 Bivol)

Round 1: Jab by Bivol. Both fighters look a bit tight and plenty of toe-stepping from Beterbiev. Jab from Beterbiev to the mid-section. Bivol with the stick to the head and moving laterally. Nice one-two from Bivol. Left hand from Bivol. Swift attack from both at the bell. Great action, Round to Bivol.

SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Bivol

There's plenty of filling going on right now, but we'll be switching to round-by-round scoring for the main event. The IBF, WBC and WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev takes on WBA counterpart Dmitry Bivol in arguably the finest fight to be made in world boxing.

5:57 p.m. ET | 2:57 p.m. PT: The introductions are over and both fighters approach the center of the ring. Ladies and gentlemen... it's time!

5:50 p.m. ET | 2:50 p.m. PT: Reigning IBF, WBC and WBO light heavyweight champion is on his way to the ring. The moment approaches.

5:46 p.m. ET | 2:46 p.m. PT: We're now looking at the official promo for the fight. It's coming soon... we hope! ;-)

5:22 p.m. ET | 2:22 p.m. PT: The opening ceremony of Riyadh Season is underway right now. Busta Rhymes is performing at the moment. Punches will be flying soon.

5:22 p.m. ET | 2:22 p.m. PT: Both fighters in tonight's main event already hold positions on boxing's pound-for-pound list . The winner will be right behind the top-3 -- Oleksandr Usyk, Naoya Inoue and Terence Crawford

4:49 p.m. ET | 1:49 p.m. PT: Because the co-main event ended so quickly, we're likely to have a delay before the main event. HOWEVER... UP NEXT... IS THE FIRST UNDISPUTED LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT FOR OVER 20 YEARS. FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS... IT'S ARTUR BETERBIEV VS. DMITRY BIVOL!!!!

AND STILL THE BRITISH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION... FABIO WARDLEY. THE OFFICIAL TIME OF THE TKO IS 2:28 OF ROUND ONE. WARDLEY IMPROVES TO 18-0-1 (17 KOs)

Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke 2: SN live scorecard

Round 1: Both men fencing at range with the left and fall into a clinch. Jabs land flush from both. Sharp right inside for Clarke. Wardley falls short. A jab from Clark and a double jab-right hand. Jab to the body from Wardley. Messy stuff on the inside. HUGE RIGHT BY WARDLEY BUCKLES CLARKE. MASSIVE RIGHT puts him down and CLARKE IS DONE!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!

SN Unofficial Scorecard: -

We'll now switch to round-by-round scoring for the thunderous rematch between British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke.

THE WINNER AND STILL THE IBF AND RING MAGAZINE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD... JAI OPETAIA. THE OFFICIAL TIME IS 2:00 OF ROUND SIX. OPETAIA IMPROVES TO 26-0 (20 KOs).

3:56 p.m. ET | 12:56 p.m. PT: TRAINER JOE GALLAGHER THROWS IN THE TOWEL. Massey was being tortured with a string of accurate shots to the head and body in round six. It was all too much for the British contender.

3:54 p.m. ET | 12:54 p.m. PT: Round five was huge for the Australian. A horrible right hook to the body off a right hook to the head. You could almost hear Massey's internal organs bounce off each other. Massey is also busted up around the eyes and the nose. The punishment is getting worse round after round.

3:45 p.m. ET | 12:45 p.m. PT: Some right-hand success from Massey in round three. Opetaia still landing more consistently and banking the rounds. Neither fighter has been troubled so far.

3:35 p.m. ET | 12:35 p.m. PT: The opening round is in the books and the southpaw left from Opetaia was like metal shavings to a magnet. Massey held firm and wasn't troubled, but the shots were landing with ominous regularity. That said, the Englishman went the distance with top heavyweight contender Joe Parker at heavyweight, so he'll be hard to shift.

3:20 p.m. ET | 12:20 p.m. PT: Next up is super-skilled Australian star Jai Opetaia, who will be defending his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles against Britain's Jack Massey. Opetaia has scored early knockouts over U.K. opposition in two of his last three fights.

THE WINNER IS CHRIS EUBANK JR., WHO WINS BY TKO 7 (1:50) THE FORMER WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER IMPROVES TO 34-3 (25 KOs).

3:10 p.m. ET | 12:10 p.m. PT: A RIGHT-HAND BODY SHOT DECKS SZEREMETA AGAIN IN ROUND SEVEN. Another body shot knockdown and INCREDIBLY the Polish fighter is up again . The referee makes a mercy stoppage.

Before the official announcement can be made, Conor Benn enters the ring for a fiery staredown with Eubank and the hostility continues. Both men are separated...

3:05 p.m. ET | 12:05 p.m. PT: SZEREMETA DOWN AGAIN FROM A SAVAGE RIGHT HAND IN ROUND SIX. He gets up easily and the bout will continue.

3:02 p.m. ET | 12:02 p.m. PT: There's no doubt that Eubank's domination of this fight, but his punches are no longer having the effect they had in the first. Szeremeta is landing single shots and getting no reaction. We're through five rounds.

2:53 p.m. ET | 11:53 a.m. PT: Eubank Jr. is showing off with some brilliantly conceived power-shot combinations, but there are defensive frailties. Two solid rights from Szeremeta in the third. The Englishman is also cut on the right eyelid.

2:43 p.m. ET | 11:43 a.m. PT: SZEREMETA IS DOWN IN ROUND ONE FOLLOWING A BRUTAL ONE-TWO. He's up, but Eubank Jr. having a field day with the jab and power shots for a full three minutes. The Polish fighter did land a solid blow just before the bell.

2:33 p.m. ET | 11:33 a.m. PT: Next up is Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta at middleweight. Eubank, 35, has been inactive for a year, but he's a huge favorite to prevail over the Polish contender whose only losses have come against former world champions Gennadiy Golovkin and Jaime Munguia.

AND STILL THE WBC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD... SKYE NICOLSON. THE AUSTRALIAN STAR RETAINS ON A UNANIMOUS DECISION. OFFICIAL SCORES ARE 99-91, 98-92, 98-92.

2:19 p.m. ET | 11:19 a.m. PT: The fight is over and Nicolson saved the best for last. The champion boxed beautifully in the final round, nailing Chapman on the button with a string of flush left hands to the jaw. The unbeaten champ is sure to retain her belts with a wide unanimous decision,

2:19 p.m. ET | 11:19 a.m. PT: We're through nine rounds and there's one to go. While Chapman has had the odd cameo of success, particularly with the right hand, she's been outboxed for the majority of the rounds. The only way Nicolson can lose is by knockout.

2:13 p.m. ET | 11:13 a.m. PT: We're seven rounds down and Nicolson has found her rhythm. The Australian lefty is finding the space to punch and Chapman is unable to match her on the outside. The rounds are flying by and the champ is cruising.

2:04 p.m. ET | 11:04 a.m. PT: Four rounds down and Nicolson appears to have a slight edge, boxing long out of her southpaw stance. However, Chapman is on her tail and it's a very competitive fight.

1:52 p.m. ET | 10:52 a.m. PT: Following the light heavyweight chaos, we now have a historical bout. For the first time, a women's world title bout is taking place in Saudi Arabia as Skye Nicolson defends her WBC featherweight title against Raven Chapman.

AMID BIZARRE SCENES, THE OFFICIAL RESULT IS A TECHNICAL DRAW. BOTH FIGHTERS WERE AWARDED 58-57 CARDS, BUT THE DECIDING VOTE WAS 58-58. THE HIGHLY-TOUTED WHITTAKER SUSTAINS A BLEMISH ON HIS RECORD. CAMERON WAS DEVASTATED BY THE RESULT.

1:38 p.m. ET | 10:38 a.m. PT: Whittaker leaving the ring in a wheelchair. We go to the scorecards.

1:35 p.m. ET | 10:35 a.m. PT: MAYHEM AT THE END OF ROUND FIVE. BOTH FIGHTERS FALL OVER THE TOP ROPE AT THE END OF THE SESSION. Whittaker appears to have injured his leg and it looks like the fight will go to the scorecards.

1:27 p.m. ET | 10:27 a.m. PT: Four rounds down and Ben Whittaker is being SERIOUSLY tested. Cameron is letting his hands go and he's scoring well against the habitually elusive Englishman. The fight is very even and Whittaker needs to make some tactical changes.

1:20 p.m. ET | 10:20 a.m. PT: Cameron put forth a lot of resistance in the second round and landed some quality shots to the head and body. Whittaker smiling but looked uncomfortable on the inside. We've got a fight!

1:17 p.m. ET | 10:17 a.m. PT: A tidy opening round from Whittaker, who scored regularly with an educated left jab and dropped in a couple of accurate counter rights. Cameron is in it to win it, but he looks slow by comparison and will need to impose himself.

1:04 p.m. ET | 10:04 a.m. PT: Next up is Olympic silver medalist and charismatic showman Ben Whittaker, who takes on Liam Cameron at light heavyweight. Cameron is coming off a razor-tight split decision loss to former world title challenger Lyndon Arthur. This is a step up for Whittaker.

MOHAMMED ALAKEL MAKES A SUCCESSFUL PRO DEBUT AT SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT. ALL THREE JUDGES SCORE THE FIGHT 40-36 IN FAVOUR OF THE SAUDI ARABIAN PROSPECT.

12:57 p.m. ET | 9:57 a.m. PT: The fight is over and it'll be a four-round shutout for Alakel. There was plenty to like about the youngster who will develop well under Joe Gallagher during the embryonic stages of his career.

12:48 p.m. ET | 9:48 a.m. PT: Halfway through this four rounder and Alakel is having a terrific debut. The Joe Gallagher-trained prospect is layering his offense behind a rapier left jab and Gonzalez is on the run.

12:35 p.m. ET | 9:35 a.m. PT: Next up is a four-round super featherweight bout between Mohammed Alakel and Jesus Gonzalez. Alakel hails from Saudi Arabia and is making his professional debut.

ALL THREE JUDGES SCORE THE SUPER WELTERWEIGHT BOUT 40-36 IN FAVOR OF MARIC, WHO IS NOW 1-0.

12:30 p.m. ET | 9:30 a.m. PT: The four rounds are complete and Marco Maric will have won all of them. A decent pro debut for the Swiss prospect who is based in California. Neither fighter was down or seriously hurt.

12:22 p.m. ET | 9:22 a.m. PT: We're two rounds into a four rounder and Maric is having things all his way. He's closing the distance with his feet, moving his head and timing the attacks. Flores is smart enough to avoid the big bombs, but he's offering nothing offensively.

12:10 p.m. ET | 9:10 a.m. PT: The show is about to begin. The first bout is a bonus fight featuring Mexico's Christian Lopez Flores going against pro debutant Marco Maric at super welterweight.

11:30 a.m. ET | 8:30 a.m. PT: Beterbiev is the only reigning world champion with a 100-percent knockout ratio. The 39-year-old has halted all 20 of his opponents since turning professional in 2013. Bivol, 33, came to international prominence when he scored a convincing decision triumph over the legendary Canelo Alvarez in May 2022.

11:00 a.m. ET | 8:00 a.m. PT: The official weights for tonight's main event are as follows: Artur Beterbiev (IBF, WBC, WBO light heavyweight champion) was 174.9 pounds, while Dmitry Bivol (WBA champion) came in at 174.12.

10:30 a.m. ET | 7:30 a.m. PT: The Beterbiev-Bivol winner will join Harold Johnson, Willie Pastrano, Dick Tiger, Bob Foster, Michael Spinks and Roy Jones Jr., as the only fighters to have claimed undisputed status at light heavyweight since the titles became fragmented in the early 1960s.

10:00 a.m. ET | 7:00 a.m. PT: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the undisputed light heavyweight championship fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. This is a battle of elite-level pound-for-pound entrants and someone's "0" has got to go! We're in the countdown!

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight card

• Artur Beterbiev (c) def. Dmitry Bivol (c) via MD 12 (116-112, 115-113, 114-114) for the undisputed light heavyweight title
• Chris Eubank Jr. def. Kamil Szeremeta via TKO 7 (1:50); Middleweights
• Fabio Wardley (c) def. Frazer Clarke via TKO 1 (2:28) for the British heavyweight title
• Jai Opetaia (c) def. Jack Massey via TKO 6 (2:00) for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles
• Ben Whittaker Tech. Draw 6 Liam Cameron (58-57, 57-58, 58-58); Light Heavyweights
• Skye Nicolson def. Raven Chapman via UD 10 (99-91, 98-92, 98-92) for the WBC featherweight title
• Mohammed Alakel def. Jesus Gonzalez via UD 4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)