They say if you come for the king, it’s better not to miss.

Dmitry Bivol fought as well as he has ever fought, but his attempt at featherlight heavyweight supremacy against “The King” Artur Beterbiev proved painful.

Beterbiev won an excellent fight with scores of 116-112 (Pawel Kardyni), 115-113 (Glenn Feldman) and 114-114 (Manuel Oliver Palomo).

There wasn’t much to it, but two of the best 175-pounders of this generation put on a gripping battle of skill, courage and technical proficiency.

At the end of the show, the fresh undisputed champion Beterbiev felt he could have done better, but Bivol congratulated him on his great performance. None of them complained about the results or each other.

Asked later how he felt, “Not bad,” Beterbiev replied.

“I didn’t do well today,” he continued. “I didn’t like this fight, but one day I will feel better. It wasn’t hard, it was a little uncomfortable.”

Bivol, who finished his battle with swelling around his left eye, stated that he still dreams of becoming undisputed champion and simply added: “Congratulations to Artur and his team, he deserves it.”

He thought he won?

“I don’t know,” he replied. “I did my job. I thought I could be better. I could always improve. He won. What could I say?”

Bivol is currently 23-1 (12 KOs), and the 33-year-old, who was born in Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan, but fights out of Indio, California, is sure to come again.

Beterbiev, who surprisingly went the distance for the first time in 21 professional fights and had previously recorded 20 stoppages, added Bivola’s WBA belt to his WBC, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine titles.

Both men tried to take control with left hands in the first round, and Beterbiev’s nose started to turn red when Bivol stepped in for a two-count.

It was constant work, but in the dying heat of the round they both lowered their hands. Beterbiev, who will turn 40 in early 2025, took Bivol to the ropes, but Bivol quickly responded as Top Ranking-promoted Beterbiev advanced.

Bivol’s left hand was polished, he hooked, jabbed and finished the jab in the second.

He threw with intention. Each blow was intended to gain Beterbiev’s respect.

Beterbiev moved forward menacingly. He chewed through several pointed jabs that dug into his stoic face, but he moved forward briskly, forcing Bivol to work challenging with his legs, engine, and head.

Bivol almost always stayed within striking distance, so Bivol couldn’t shut down for even a second.

Midway through the third, Bivol was able to punch a series of jabs and right hands through Beterbiev’s tight guard.

Beterbiev’s head was often snapped back by Bivol’s faster and more correct shots, but – as is his wont – Beterbiev simply marched towards him.

In the fourth quarter, Beterbiev seemed to leisurely Bivol down a bit and hit him with his right hand.

It was, as expected, high-quality and engaging. It was Bivol’s fluidity against Beterbiev’s unwavering pressure.

Bivol continued to look good, but his performance seemed to decline. He lunged forward and hit Beterbiev with a right hand, but it didn’t dent him, and in the final minute of the fifth period there were signs that Beterbiev might take control, planting a stout and hefty right hand into Bivol’s diaphragm.

Still, despite Beterbiev’s pressure, Bivol’s high hands and movement meant that anything significant caught him, only sparingly. For some time in the sixth set, Bivol stayed on his feet and fought back.

Soon, however, Beterbiev was in the lead again.

Bivol landed a right hand on Beterbiev’s cheek to start round seven. Beterbiev nodded and moved towards Bivol again.

Beterbiev, with his back to the ropes, stung Bivol midway through the seventh strike, then began beating him this way and that as Bivol endured his first real danger.

The two looked at each other to start the eighth. None of them neglected the body. In fact, they both ended up in first place at the bottom, but the round was relatively still and yet still fascinating, and they both let their fists fly in an attempt to impress the judges with a few seconds left.

Bivol started the ninth round quickly. He hit Beterbiev with a left hook and although Beterbiev still moved towards him, he didn’t hit much of the mark and Bivol worked him over.

With three minutes to go, the game was ready and everything seemed to be hanging in the balance with nine minutes to go.

Beterbiev still had a challenging time catching Bivol cleanly, but Bivol managed to score some nice catches. Bivol veered right, veered left, and Beterbiev couldn’t stay on his feet to hit his celebrated hefty shots.

Bivol remained as the composed matador, but in the 11th Beterbiev broke through with a forceful right hand and dealt with powerful lefts and rights as Bivol, swollen above his left eye, offered little in response.

They touched gloves respectfully to open the 12th inning, and Bivol recovered enough to start promisingly. Beterbiev, ever the pursuer, tracked him to the ropes and with 80 seconds left Bivol was on the back foot and had to tuck in. Beterbiev dominated in the end. Bivol tried to stop him, so in a sporting gesture they once again waved their gloves after the bell.

It was a great fight at a high level. It featured two practitioners at the top of their game. Judge Thomas Taylor was a virtual witness as the two craftsmen elegantly chopped each other down.

It wasn’t a thriller, but it didn’t have to be. It was a great demonstration of what this sport is all about. Strategy, skill, agility, courage and ability.

If the waiting for this, the most attractive of all fights that can be fought in this sport today, was a journey, then the destination for fight fans was Elysium.

Bivol came for the king and missed.

However, there is every chance that he will get the chance to fight for “King” Arthur once again, but next time Beterbiev will fight as the undisputed featherlight heavyweight champion of the world.

Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will face off in a occasional match between two of the best fighters in the division to determine the first undisputed delicate heavyweight champion in the four-belt era on Saturday night in Riyad, Saudi Arabia (ESPN, 5:30 p.m. ET).

Beterbiev (20-0, 20), holder of the WBC, WBO and IBF titles, is the only boxing champion with a 100% knockout rate. He has been the 175-pound champion since 2017.

The fight was years in the making. There hasn’t been an undisputed champion in this division since Roy Jones Jr. he vacated one of his titles in 2000 (three belt era).

“I want a good fight. I’m preparing for a good fight,” Beterbiev said during Thursday’s press conference. “We’ll see. … Be ready, Dmitry. I’ll be ready.”

Bivol (23-0, 12 KO), the WBA champion, was promoted from interim titleholder to full titleholder in 2017 and has since defended the belt 12 times.

Beterbiev and Bivol were scheduled to fight on June 1, but a month before the fight, Beterbiev suffered a torn meniscus and underwent knee surgery, forcing a postponement. Bivol wanted to keep himself busy and fought Malik Zinad that day. It was a sixth-round TKO victory and his only stoppage victory in his last 10 fights.

“Artur is a great champion,” Bivol said. “He has what I want. It has seat belts. And it’s not just about belts. When I look at his skills, I want to test my skills against this amazing player.”

Stay here for fight results and round-by-round analysis.

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18:50:33

Ben through the ropes

Here’s a photo of the two boys in action.

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18:44:01

There was no winner when Whittaker pulled away

Ben Whittaker left the ring and is now in a wheelchair. This is a bad look in every way. From shows to bans on walking. Wow.

The results are in…

Steve Gray scored 58-57 for Ben Whittaker and Kieran McCann 58-57 for Liam Cameron. The third judge, Mark Bates, awarded the score 58-58. Ends in a draw after a technical decision!

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18:38:03

Awesome vacuuming

Whittaker’s gloves and boots come off. It doesn’t last. A completely unexpected ending as we get to the scorecards. It’s a pity, because we were just getting started.

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18:34:44

Strange scenes in Saudi Arabia

Whittaker was threatened with points deduction in round five by referee Victor Loughlin for low-hitting offenses. Whittaker sends in some shots. Many of them come from far away and still land.

Weird scenes at the end of the round as they wrestle each other over the ropes. Was it a push or a pull?

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18:26:06

Liam Cameron using his experience

There’s a voice in Liam Cameron’s corner as usual. Lots of encouragement for the underdog who covers his head and takes shots to the body.

“Benjamin, Benjamin,” the corner repeats, trying to get her man’s attention. Cameron’s shots are also very popular. An fascinating test for Whittaker.

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18:17:59

Cannonball or cannon fodder?

Tucking in, Cameron already has a red nose as Whittaker hits high and lands shots to the body. It’s a nice, positive start for Whittaker.

Liam Cameron will likely be willing to sit out a few early rounds to get into the second half of the fight. Whittaker looks really piercing, as expected. “Good start,” says Whittaker’s coach.

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18:11:37

Ben Whittaker enters the stage

Next up is Ben Whittaker, who is looking to perform against Sheffield’s Liam Cameron. Whittaker is in excellent physical condition. Cameron gave Lyndon Arthur a good argument last time on Channel 5. He used to be a good player, but how much of that form will he be able to maintain today?

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Where to watch the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol fight?

You can watch the match Beterbiev vs. Bivol and the entire tab, including the Wardley vs. Clarke 2 live on DAZN PPV. Fans can purchase the fight for £19.99 (UK) and $19.99 (US) and receive a 7-day free trial with no subscription required.

Watch now

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17:58:52

Alakel’s disciplined debut victory

And this is the second fight in the books. “The Mighty” Mohammed Alakel is awarded by the judges in each round: 40-36 on all three cards. Without doubting the winner. Gonzalez also had fun, and that’s the most significant thing.

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17:52:36

Mohammed Alakel showing some moves

Alakel is elevated and slender, moving in and out, hitting the smaller Gonzalez with shots from both hands, especially the overhand right. Looks decent if we get out of the third round. Of course, bigger tests will come. Gonzalez tried to take some wing shots to avoid becoming a mere survivor.

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17:41:24

Alakel makes his professional boxing debut

Nothing to say here, just the way I like it. 21-year-old Jesus Gonzalez from Colombia will face popular Saudi debutant Mohammed Alakel, trained by Joe Gallagher. Referee Kieran McCann has been busy so far. This is his second task of the evening.

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17:36:51

Marco Maric wins his debut

All four judges scored in Maric’s favor, overall 40-36. Manny Robles was in Maric’s corner. For four rounds he came forward with purpose, moving his arms and head deftly, but his shots were quite tardy.

Flores did what was expected of him. Who knows what will happen to Maric?

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17:15:12

Rookie Maric looks mean

Steve takes it all over again until Declan joins us a little later. Marco Maric is in the ring and soon there will be chaos in Riyad. Maric has “I’m Nothing” on his uniform and honestly, I didn’t know much about him before the fight with Christian Lopez Flores. Kieran McCann is the referee, four-three in the super welterweight division.

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Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol: live updates and results

The wait is almost over as Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol put every significant belt on the line tonight in Riyad. Who will be crowned the undisputed delicate heavyweight king?

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Where to watch the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol fight?

You can watch the match Beterbiev vs. Bivol and the entire gala, including the Wardley vs. Clarke 2 live on DAZN PPV. Fans can purchase the fight for £19.99 (UK) and $19.99 (US) and receive a 7-day free trial with no subscription required.

Watch now

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Who is on the card of the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol match?

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol

Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey

Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke

Chris Eubank Jr. Fight Kamil’s love

Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron

Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman

Mohammed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez

Marco Maric vs. Christian Flores