In the early hours of February 22, the entire boxing world turned its attention to Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 at the highly anticipated “The Last Crescendo” event. The rematch between these two dominant light-heavyweight champions promised fireworks—and it delivered.

From the opening bell to the final round, the fight was a dramatic battle of skill, power, and strategy. Bivol’s tactical adjustments, Beterbiev’s relentless aggression, and the razor-thin scorecards made this one of the most thrilling fights in recent boxing history.

Let’s break down how Bivol turned the tables on Beterbiev, the key moments of the fight, and the surprising financial details behind the event.

Round-by-Round Breakdown: A Tactical Chess Match Turns War

Round 1: A Familiar Start

It was a carbon copy of their first fight’s opening round. Both fighters showed perfect form, with their foot positioning nearly stepping on each other’s toes. Bivol landed the better shots, dictating the pace early.

Bivol 10-9.

Round 2: Bivol Gains Momentum

Bivol continued his strong start, successfully using his jab and adding sharp body shots. He looked more aggressive than expected, refusing to let Beterbiev settle into his rhythm.

Bivol 10-9. Bivol 20-18.

Round 3: High-Level Movement

Bivol’s movement was exceptional—he shimmied one way before jerking the other to throw Beterbiev off. He followed up with clean left-right combinations to the head. Beterbiev responded with a dangerous overhand right, showing he was still a threat.

Bivol 10-9. Bivol 30-27.

Round 4: Beterbiev Fights Back

A much better round from Beterbiev, who found success with his jab and a powerful right hand. However, at the end of the round, he looked exhausted, slumping in the corner.

Beterbiev 10-9. Bivol 39-37.

Round 5: Beterbiev Flips the Switch

It was as if a different Beterbiev entered the ring. He suddenly forced the action, targeting both Bivol’s body and head with brutal efficiency. The fight had transformed into a storm, and Bivol was caught in the middle of it.

Beterbiev 10-9. Bivol 48-47.

Round 6: Back-and-Forth War

Both fighters had their moments. Bivol relied on movement, but Beterbiev’s relentless pursuit was starting to pay off. The Russian champion ended the round strong, landing several right hands.

Beterbiev 10-9. 57-57.

Round 7: Bivol Regains Control

The fight was flying by, and now it was Beterbiev who was stalking Bivol. However, Bivol’s elite counterpunching skills slowed down his momentum just enough to edge the round.

Bivol 10-9. Bivol 67-66.

Round 8: Bivol Finds His Rhythm

Now, Bivol’s bodywork was starting to shine. He looked more energized, standing up early between rounds, while Beterbiev used every second to recover.

Bivol 10-9. Bivol 77-75.

Round 9: Bivol’s Confidence Grows

Up against the ropes, Bivol slipped Beterbiev’s shots beautifully before countering with three clean punches. Nothing Beterbiev threw seemed to hurt Bivol anymore—a dramatic shift in momentum.

Bivol 10-9. Bivol 87-84.

Round 10: The Beginning of the End

Beterbiev looked slower, while Bivol’s precision and speed were still at an elite level. He set up his shots with a double jab, then fired a right hand before Beterbiev could react. His movement was so sharp that it felt like Round 1 all over again.

Bivol 10-9. Bivol 97-93.

Round 11: Bivol Nearly Finishes It

With 15 seconds left in the round, Bivol landed a huge barrage of punches that made Beterbiev stumble momentarily. The crowd thought the fight might be stopped, but Beterbiev somehow stayed on his feet.

Bivol 10-9. Bivol 107-102.

Round 12: A Final Stand

Beterbiev threw everything he had, but nothing landed cleanly. Bivol was too slick, too disciplined. Although Beterbiev edged the round on aggression, it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.

Beterbiev 10-9. Bivol 116-112.

The Scorecards: A Close But Clear Victory for Bivol

As the judges’ scorecards were read, the entire arena held its breath.

114-114 (draw)
115-113 (Bivol)
116-112 (Bivol)

With a majority decision victory, Dmitry Bivol finally dethroned Artur Beterbiev to become the undisputed light-heavyweight champion.

It was a moment of redemption, as Bivol avenged his previous loss and cemented his place at the top of the division.

Financial Shocker: Beterbiev Earns Double Bivol’s Purse

Despite his victory, Bivol surprisingly walked away with far less money than Beterbiev.

Reported Fight Purses:

Dmitry Bivol: $12-15 million
Artur Beterbiev: $30 million

Even though Bivol won the fight, Beterbiev’s contract and name value allowed him to take home nearly double the earnings.

This unexpected pay disparity raised questions about boxing’s financial structure and how fighters negotiate their contracts.

What’s Next for Bivol and Beterbiev?

Dmitry Bivol’s Future as Undisputed Champion

With all the light-heavyweight belts now in his possession, Bivol has several options:

A trilogy fight with Beterbiev? Many fans would love to see a third and final battle.
A move up to cruiserweight? Could Bivol test himself in a new weight class?
Defending against top contenders? Fighters like David Benavidez or Anthony Yarde could be next in line.

Will Beterbiev Retire or Seek Revenge?

At 40 years old, Beterbiev faces a difficult decision:

Does he chase a rematch and try to reclaim his titles?
Or does he consider retirement after an incredible career?

Regardless of his next move, Beterbiev remains one of the most feared punchers in boxing history.

Conclusion

The Beterbiev vs. Bivol rematch lived up to all expectations, delivering a 12-round war filled with momentum swings, tactical brilliance, and high drama.

Bivol’s resilience, strategy, and adjustments allowed him to overcome Beterbiev’s raw power.
Beterbiev’s relentless attack and final-round bravery proved why he is one of the greatest warriors in boxing.
Despite winning the fight, Bivol shockingly earned half of what Beterbiev did.

With this victory, Dmitry Bivol stands at the pinnacle of the light-heavyweight division—but will his reign last? Boxing fans eagerly await his next move!