Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol fight breaks protocol with unconventional announcement in Riyad

ARTUR BETERBIEV'S enthralling victory over Dmitry Bivol had an unpredictable opening - even before they got inside the ring.

There was a surprise break from protocol moments ahead of a ding-dong fight from which Beterbiev eventually emerged as undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world by a majority verdict.

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The Russian-Canadian, who started the night as a three-belt title-holder, was the man chosen to walk out first.

Normally whoever is first out into the arena has the same honour when it comes to getting in the ring.

But this time, without explanation, an announcement revealed the opposite would happen - with Bivol stepping in before his opponent.

He entered the long-awaited contest as the WBA light-heavyweight champ, boasting 23 wins in 23 fights, with 12 knockouts.

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Meanwhile, Beterbiev had triumphed by KO in all his 20 previous bouts.

That made him boxing's only current champ with a 100% stoppage rate.

And when he stepped into the ring - AFTER Bivol - he ignored the usual glitz of these occasions.

Instead of a brash outfit he opted for an old Fred Perry T-shirt.

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However, once the fight started, there was no dressing down from either man - leaving everything in the ring in an epic 12-rounder that lived up to expectations.

The build-up to the fight had been unusual for more than the switch from protocol.

Musical acts like Ciara, Missy Elliott and Busta Rhyme strutted their stuff.

Boxing legends Beterbiev, 39, and 33-year-old Bivol then bust a gut - as each attempted to maintain the "undefeated" tag on their CVs.

The former took the verdict on points despite one judge calling it a draw, with the scores 114-114 115-113 116-112.

Beterbiev did lose one record - his perfect record for knockouts.

But that minor blot was eclipsed by his achievement of becoming the division's first undisputed champ since Roy Jones Jr 22 years ago.

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