Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev will finally share a ring tonight, as they meet in an undisputed title fight in Saudi Arabia.
The unbeaten light-heavyweights have orbited one another for some time, and they were due to clash in Riyadh in June, but Beterbiev sustained a knee injury that delayed the bout.
It has now arrived, however, with Beterbiev carrying the WBC, WBO and IBF belts into the Kingdom Arena, while 33-year-old Bivol reigns as WBA Super champion. Both boxers are pound-for-pound stars in the sport, with Beterbiev at No 6 in the Indy Sport rankings and Bivol at No 5.
Beterbiev, even at 39, is one of the most devastating punchers in all of boxing, having compiled a 20-0 record with 20 knockouts. Bivol, meanwhile, has gone 23-0 with 12 KOs as a slick mover, a fluid technician, and a volume puncher.
The contrast in styles should make for an intriguing match-up, and the fight caps off an impressive card: Chris Eubank Jr is in action before the main event, while heavyweights Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke meet in a rematch of one of the fights of the year: their bloody bout for the British title, which ended as a draw in March.
Follow live updates and results from Bivol vs Beterbiev and a stacked undercard, below:
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Skye Nicolson vs Raven Chapman
A bit of an aggressive start from Chapman, who is pressing forward and keeping Nicolson thinking.
The featherweights briefly grapple, with Chapman landing a decent right hand before that clinch and one after.
There’s a bit of the Whittaker fight in this bout: Nicolson, the favoured fighter, isn’t off to the sharpest start.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:58
Ben Whittaker injured after crashing over top rope in bizarre end to fight
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:55
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Skye Nicolson vs Raven Chapman
Anyway, the undercard continues!
Skye Nicolson defends the WBC women’s featherweight title against Raven Chapman.
Both fighters are unbeaten. Chapman represents Britain, Nicolson fights out of Australia.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:47
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron
Whittaker is now on his stool in the corner, being asked if he wants to continue.
His leg is getting checked. He seems to be in some discomfort. Is it the leg, or a nerve issue from his back?
Some observers will feel like Whittaker is looking for a way out, but either way, the fight is going to the scorecards!
This could be very close. It was trending in Cameron’s direction, but did he do enough across those five rounds to get the win…?
Whittaker won’t be in the ring for the reading of the scorecards; he’s been taken away in a wheelchair!
Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron fight to split draw (technical decision; 58-57, 57-58, 58-58).
How is that a draw? Where was the 10-8 round???
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:36
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron
Approaching the midway point of this 10-round fight.
Cameron is talking some trash to Whittaker when they’re clinching, it seems.
Whittaker is taken to the corner by the referee, after Cameron’s team complain about a low blow. The ref warns Whittaker that he’ll be deducted a point if he does it again.
Cameron is landing almost at will now, and… what’s this?!?! As the bell sounds, the fighters tumble over the top rope and onto the ring apron! I’ve never seen that before, except in WWE!
Cameron eventually stands, but Whittaker is still down!
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:33
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron
The light-heavyweights trade jabs, before Cameron throws a one-two upstairs then a left hook to the body.
There’s some phone-booth fighting, with each man leaning on the other and unfurling body shots.
Lovely combination from Cameron now, mixing up targets – head and body. Cameron tries to fire back with a right hook, but he’s totally off-balance.
Don’t get me wrong, Whittaker is still boxing well, but he’s absorbed the most damage we’ve seen in his pro career so far. He’s tagged by two hooks upstairs, only partially blocking them.
“If you are what you say you are, a superstar…” The lyrics of “Superstar” by Lupe Fiasco ring around the arena. Are you listening, Ben?
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:29
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron
Whittaker is starting to land with increasing frequency, and power, now. His right cross especially is getting through.
Those marks around Cameron’s eyes are worsening slightly, particularly on the left side.
But the underdog is still doing decent work here and there, using his experience and weight to get the most out of the clinches.
Two right hands from Cameron now! A hook and a straight. But Whittaker stays calm and comes back, forcing Cameron to the ropes and letting his hands go.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:24
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron
Cameron with some decent hooks at close range, as Whittaker struggles to clinch cleanly.
Nice counter cross by Whittaker, though. Great timing on that.
He’s also happy to flick gentle jabs at his opponent’s guard, perhaps lulling Cameron into a false sense of security.
Solid uppercut by Cameron! Now a right straight! Whittaker fires back with a rapid flurry to the body.
Good head movement by Whittaker and a little bit of showboating at last. Already, however, Cameron is offering Whittaker more of a test than most of the “Surgeon”’s opponents.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:20
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron
Olympic silver medalist Whittaker is 8-0 (5 KOs) as a pro, while Cameron is 23-6 (10 KOs).
Whittaker is known for his precise striking and his showboating. Already some of the former, none of the latter yet…
Whittaker is flicking out his orthodox jab, but he’s also waiting for Cameron to let his hands go, eyeing some counters.
The Britons tie up here and there. Cameron, after one clinch, catches Whittaker on the end of a jab.
Cameron – also standing orthodox, by the way – already looks marked up around his eyes, though. Some reddening, it looks like.
Whittaker with some longer combinations later in the round, more aggression now.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:16