DMITRY Bivol handled defeat to Artur Beterbiev with class on Saturday evening, crediting the winner while offering minimal excuses. As usual, certain trigger words are thrown around freely within the boxing community whenever someone loses,

Bivol was class in defeat, as expected, and praised Beterbiev; they had shared a unique respect for each other during the months and months it took to finally get the pair in the ring. They had also shared six years and nine months as world champions before the final bell separated Bivol from his belt.

Dmitry Bivol's ex-wife Ekaterina congratulates her ex-husband's opponent Artur Beterbiev after he became the undisputed champion.