Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol by decision in one of the most essential main event wins since Saudi Arabia began staging boxing’s biggest fights. By winning this fight, Beterbiev became the first-ever undisputed lithe heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

The last time there was an undisputed three-belt champion in this division was in 2000, when Roy Jones Jr. defeated Eric Harding. Bivol and Beterbiev’s performance reflected the seriousness of the situation as they both left everything in the ring.

Initially, Bivol was in control of the fight before some difficult shots in round 4 revived Beterbiev. Beterbiev was 20-0 heading into the fight, winning every fight by knockout, but was unable to find enough strength in the later rounds to stop Bivol and maintain his perfect record.

It was Beterbiev’s ninth defense of the IBF title, sixth defense of the WBC title and third defense of the WBO title, and he held the belts while adding a fourth. Beterbiev didn’t show much emotion after the fight, but the victory meant everything to him.

“I must be excited [for this fight]” – Beterbiev said before the fight on ESPN Undisputed. “I don’t get emotional in front of people, but of course I’m excited. This is my goal [undisputed] master.”

On the card below, Fabio Wardley defeated Frazer Clarke in the first round after taking some brutal shots early on that resulted in his opponent needing medical attention. Clarke left the arena and went to hospital to undergo tests for a suspected broken jaw and cheekbone.

Chris Eubank Jr secured victory with a seventh-round stoppage in his first fight in over a year. Eubank Jr. under pressure from Kamil Szeremeta, he knocked him down in the first round, but he remained placid and won the 34th victory in his professional career.

“I had a good time there. I think I could have finished it the first time, but it’s been a year and I wanted to get some ring rust off,” Eubank Jr. said of the fight. Another fight almost took place after Eubank Jr. was announced as the winner, and the undefeated rival Conor Benn entered the ring.

Eubank Jr and Benn got into a heated confrontation and had to be separated, with both fighters wanting to meet in the ring. “Let’s get this done,” Eubank Jr was heard telling Benn after their first fight was canceled.

Benn was scheduled to face Eubank Jr. in October 2022, but the fight was postponed after Benn tested positive for clomiphene. Since then, the animosity has continued, and fans can finally see the fight that was supposed to take place two years ago.

Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol fight card results

Artur Beterbiew def. Dmitry Bivol by majority decision
Fabio Wardley def. Frazer Clarke via TKO, round 1
Jai Opetaia def. Jack Massey via TKO, round 6
Chris Eubank Jr def. Kamil Szeremeta by KO in round 7
Skye Nicolson def. Raven Chapman via unanimous decision
Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron – draw after inconclusive technical decisions
Mohammed Alakel def. Jesus Gonzalez via unanimous decision
Marco Marić def. Christian Flores via unanimous decision

Frank Warren has revealed that Frazer Clarke suffered a broken cheekbone in his loss to Fabio Wardley.

Wardley attacked Clarke a stunning first round knockout in Saturday’s rematch in Riyad, seven months after the two players drew at the O2 Arena.

Wardley caught Burton with a powerful right hand and after returning fire, the British and Commonwealth champion unloaded a volley of punches that knocked the 33-year-old to the floor.

The referee wasted no time in waving his hand to end the fight, and concerns for Clarke’s health began after he was seen being given oxygen in his corner and suffering a dent in the side of his head.

Warren, who promotes Wardley, said he believed Clarke suffered a cheekbone injury after concerns intensified after photos of the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist with a dent on the side of his head surfaced online.

Wardley sent his compatriot a heartfelt message, wishing him a speedy recovery from his injury.

“Listen, I always say a prayer before a fight,” the 29-year-old said Heavenly sports after the fight.

“I always ask me and my opponent to come out fit.

“I know it’s a damaged cause and ultimately it’s our job, but I want whoever I’m with to return to their family fit and protected.

“That’s why I wish him all the best.

I hope he’s doing well.

I hope I can talk to him later, hug him and just thank him, because those 12 rounds we had earlier were something special for us and for boxing.

“So I hope he’s fit and OK.”

It is unclear whether Clarke was sent to hospital, and proboxing-fans.com has reached out to a member of his team for comment.

🥊 @davidcoldwell proposed a fight between @FabioWardley & @joeboxerparker 🔥

What a fight that would be 👊#WardleyClarke2 pic.twitter.com/FxJ3VLHEcz

— Professional boxing fans (@ProBoxingFans) October 12, 2024

Ben Whittaker had a freak incident in the fifth round of his fight with Liam Cameron in Saudi Arabia. The youthful Briton, who gained a reputation for flamboyant antics, left the ring in a wheelchair after both fighters tumbled dramatically across the ropes.

Whittaker was the favorite for the fight, which took place in Saudi Arabia ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. However, a strange incident in the fifth round caused the fight to be stopped in an unusual way.

Both fighters seemed about to connect in the clinch, but ended up flying over the top rope and crashing on the edge of the canvas outside the ring. Cameron was able to get back to his feet, but Whittaker remained on the ground and was clearly in some discomfort.

The 27-year-old required treatment for an apparent ankle injury and was left on his back for several minutes. He was finally helped back to the corner and the referee stopped the fight after a moment’s consideration.

Instead of being declared a no contest, the matter went on the judges’ scorecards and the result was reported as a technical draw. Cameron was furious with the result and waved his arms in frustration, clearly feeling that he should have won the fight.

Meanwhile, Whittaker was wheeled out of the arena in a wheelchair with his left ankle extended. He won the first round, but it was a close fight for the remaining four rounds, with Cameron more than holding his own against the former Olympic medalist.

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