Artur Beterbiev celebrates his undisputed champion status.
The long-awaited showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol was the quintessential 50-50, pick-’em matchup. Fans, media and insiders struggled to predict a clear winner and all agreed that the undisputed light heavyweight championship would be hotly contested.
The boxing public was right about that. Beterbiev and Bivol put on a fast-paced 12-round tactical clinic of elite-level power punching and athletic boxing.
Bivol built an early lead with his skillful stick-and-move game, but Beterbiev’s underrated technique and ring-cutting ability gradually took over the fight. The 39-year-old unified titleholder swept the final three rounds on all three official scorecards get a majority decision and a small piece of boxing history as the first undisputed 175-pound champion of the four-belt era.
More than a few observers believed Bivol – the first fighter to take Beterbiev the distance – did enough to win the fight by a few pointsand even more tied the game. However, in a fight with as many close rounds as this one, Beterbiev’s ability to take over the last 30 seconds of most rounds (or Bivol’s willingness to surrender his momentum before the bell) was the difference.
Anson Wainwright suggested Beterbiev moves up to No. 4 in the pound-for-pound rankings, displacing Canelo Alvarez. He suggested that Bivol at no. 7 remain.
“Beterbiev beat Bivol by a 12-round majority decision in a fight that divided everyone,” noted Wainwright. “Beterbiev to no. 4 and Bivol to his no. 7 position due to the close battle. For what it’s worth, I thought the right guy won.”
The Ring rating panel agreed with Beterbiev’s placement but took exception to Bivol not being promoted after such a brilliant and courageous performance.
Michael Montero came to Bivol’s defense.
“Bivol at no. 7 is too low for me,” he said. “There’s no way Canelo should be above him after losing to Bivol via shutout, and given his recent level of opposition. Bivol only fought on an equal footing with Beterbiev; people are split right down the middle on their fight. Can also make an argument for Beterbiev at no. 3 above Crawford. In terms of best wins, Beterbiev’s ‘W’ over Bivol is a tier above Crawford’s ‘W’ over Spence, in my opinion. But I recognize that Crawford has gone uncontested twice, so I’m fine with letting him go 3rd if that’s how everyone else sees it.”
The majority of the panel – included your favorite Chief Editor, Tom Grey, Adam Abramowitz, Jake Donovan, Wasim Mather and Abraham Gonzalez – wanted to leave Crawford at No. 3, but agreed to move Bivol up the P4P rankings, right behind his light heavyweight rival.
“I was completely in denial about P4P, and also forgot that Bivol was still somehow under Canelo,” said Donovan. “Agree 100% with Mike’s proposed realignment, especially arguing that Bivol could easily win (on October 12).
Added Mather: “I like Mike’s suggestions. I scored the fight flat, but I had Beterbiev slightly ahead. I’m fine with Beterbiev moving to no. 4 move and Bivol at no. 5.”
Added Grey: “I like Michael’s suggestions on P4P. I had Bivol slightly ahead, but any result worked for me after such a close battle.”
RING RATING UPDATE (as of October 14):
POUND-FOR-POUND – Beterbiev advances to no. 4. Bivol advances to no. 5. Junto Nakatani remain at No. 9 after stopping Tasana Salapat (AKA Petch CP Freshmart) in six rounds.
HEAVY WEIGHT – Fabio Wardley check at no. 9 Shot Frazer Clarke in the opening round of their rematch.
“Excellent win by Fabio Wardley who brutalized Frazer Clarke by breaking his jaw and his cheek for a first round win,” noted Wainwright. “Way to make an impression before the powers that be. Wardley to join no. 9 to enter. Also no problem with no. 10 not.”
The panel unanimously agreed with no. 9 placement for Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs).
CROSS WEIGHT – Jai Opetaia stay champion follow a sixth round stoppage of Jack Massey.
LIGHT HEAVY WEIGHT – Beterbiev is the new champion. Bivol moves to no. But Izmailov (12-0, 8 KOs) enter at no. 10.
“Beterbiev came on strong late to beat Bivol,” noted Wainwright. “Beterbiev is now Ring champion. Bivol to number 1 and everyone else a place with Conor Wallace coming in at number 10.”
answered Abramowitz: “I’m not sure Wallace is the right guy to come in at light heavyweight. Any other suggestions?”
Answered Donovan: “I will present Ali Izmailov for the sake of opening a discussion. I definitely like him ahead of Conor Wallace, although he’s not married to being the definitive No.10.”
The majority of the panel supported Izmailov.
MIDDLE WEIGHT – Chris Eubank Jr. stay at no. 5 after scoring a KO of Kamil Szeremeta in the seventh round.
BANTAM WEIGHT – Nakatani remains no. 1. Seiya Tsutsumi advances to No. 3 following his heavy-handed unanimous decision over Takuma Inouewhich drops to number 5.
“Inoue lost his WBA title when he was upset by Tsutsumi,” noted Wainwright.
JUNIOR BANTAMWIG – Win Cafu enter at no. 4 after earning a razor-thin split decision over Kosei Tanakawhich drops to number 5
“Cafu assaulted Tanaka in a tremendous fight,” remarked Wainwright. “A fifth round layoff made the difference.”
FLIGHT WEIGHT – Kenshiro Teraji enters at No. 3 with an 11th-round stoppage of fellow veteran Christopher Rosales. Seigo Yuri Akuiwho scored a 12-round split decision over Thananchai Charunphak on the same card, is pushed back to no. 4. Anthony Olascuaga remain no. 8 after an opening round No Decision vs. Jonathan Gonzalez. Rosales and David Jimenez exit. Veteran Francis Rodriguez Jr. (39-6-1, 27 KOs) enters at no. 10.
“Teraji stopped Rosales when the Nicaraguan was hampered by a possible broken nose (preventing him) from coming out for Round 11,” noted Wainwright. “Teraji is now the WBC champion.
“Olascuaga and Gonzalez butted heads and the fight ended in a first round No Contest. No movement.”
Tom, Adam, Abe and Montero agreed.
Added Donovan: A shame for the Olascuaga fight. ‘Bomba’ was very quick to find the exit at the first opportunity.”
Answered Wainwright: “Yes, sorry it would have had implications on our top 10. I’m sure with Bomba that the WBO no. 1, we’ll get the next rematch for both guys.”
Added Wainwright: “Hiroto Kyoguchi won a 10-round majority decision Vince Paras in their third meeting and was shaken up in the 112-pound. I think we can take out David Jimenez, his last fight was at 115 and he will fight at 115 in December.”
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT – Masamichi Yabuki advances to number 1 after a ninth round stoppage of We have Nontchingawhich drops to number 3. Shokichi Iwata advances to no. 2 after Jairo Noriega’s strikeout in the third quarter round. Kenshiro and Jonathan Gonzalez leave the rankings. Erick Rosa (7-0, 2 KOs) enters at no. 10.
“Nontshinga lost his IBF title when he was stopped by Yabuki.” noticed Wainwright. “Iwata knocked Noriega down to win the vacant WBO title.
“I feel Nontshinga could be lower, but it is difficult with that Adrian Curiel right behind him and Elwin Soto who doesn’t do much (currently recovering from an injury). I have Iwata moving up, but before the changes he was no. 7 and I don’t think it was enough to reach no. 2 to advance. Interested in hearing from others.”
The ‘others’ overwhelmingly voted for Iwata to move to no. 2 to move.
Wainwright raised former junior featherweight contender John Riel Casimeros first round strike of Saul Sanchez.
“I could see Casimero going back in but he missed weight so can’t really put him back,” he said.
The panel didn’t have Casimero back and is clearly tired of the veteran’s bull__t.
“No to Casimero who missed weight twice for this fight,” said Donovan.
“No ranking for Casimero because he lost weight (nice try with the hand trick on the scale),” added Mather.
“No to Casimero, who could drink a cup of coffee,” added Grey.
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