In late-year boxing headlines, Dmitry Bivol’s latest defense stood out for fans across Russia and beyond. The 33-year-old WBA light heavyweight champion returned to action in a tournament setting in Saudi Arabia, aiming to defend his belt against Lyndon Arthur, the IBO titleholder from Britain.
Before the bout, Arthur claimed he had a plan to outmaneuver the undefeated challenger. Yet Bivol proved to be the more formidable fighter, delivering a performance that surprised many observers.
From the opening bell, Bivol attacked with precision and speed, pressing his advantage relentlessly. Arthur found himself on the defensive for the majority of the early rounds, unable to respond effectively to the champion’s pace.
For three rounds, Arthur’s opportunities were scarce; he could only protect himself as Bivol dictated the action. After an explosive start, Bivol cooled the tempo in the fourth round, yet the Briton still struggled to land meaningful shots. The opening moments left Arthur stunned by the pace and control his opponent exhibited. By the end, Bivol’s accuracy stood out, with all three judges scoring the bout 120-107 in favor of the Russian challenger-defender. A clear victory solidified Bivol’s WBA Super title for a sixth reign and netted him the IBO belt, acquired from Arthur.
With that win, Bivol’s professional record moved to 22 victories and no defeats, including 11 stoppages. The question now centers on when and under what conditions a unification bout with the world champion from the WBC, IBF, and WBO—Artur Beterbiev—might occur, a matchup that has generated significant global chatter. Arthur himself suggested that a future clash would be likely, calling the prospect credible in interviews after the fight. Source: Boxing Scene
Bivol also spoke about his interest in mixing with fellow Russian star Beterbiev. He noted that tournament organizers in Saudi Arabia were keen to see a showdown between the two light heavyweights, underscoring the event’s appetite for high-stakes matchups. “It was a solid fight. Lyndon is a tough challenger, and I’m pleased to end the year with a win. Now the goal is clear. I hope Beterbiev advances his own campaign, so a unification fight can happen,” Bivol remarked, adding that he had already logged 11 successful defenses and continued to chase new glory.
In Saudi Arabia, talk of a future Bivol-Beterbiev tilt seemed to resonate with local fans and promoters who relish blockbuster showdowns. “The people organizing these events want this fight as much as the fans do,” Bivol said, emphasizing the broader appeal of unifying the division’s heavyweight crown in the ring.
Meanwhile, Beterbiev (19-0) was preparing to defend his titles against Callum Smith (29-1), with that bout slated for January in Canada. Although promising a future collision with Bivol, Beterbiev has been candid about the timing, insisting that talks have to align with solid plans rather than mere chatter. The Russian champion has argued that achievements in the ring should speak louder than words, pointing to his past unifications as evidence of his readiness for a unification era. Source: Boxing Scene
Asked about the repeated talk of a fight with Bivol, Beterbiev insisted that a real challenge is on the horizon when both camps are aligned. He highlighted his two previous unifications against opponents like Gvozdyk and Joe Smith and urged clarity from his rival. The veteran champion remains focused on making the fight a reality rather than trading promises. Source: Boxing Scene
Beyond the headline matchups, the Saudi tournament also featured notable heavyweight action. Deontay Wilder, a former WBC champion, was edged by Joseph Parker in a unanimous decision, while Anthony Joshua stopped Otto Wallin in the fifth round, extending a memorable night of combat in the region.