Beterbiev Drops Gvozdyk Three Times in Tenth, Wins Lineal Light Heavyweight Title

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 In a battle between undefeated world light heavyweight champions which was a rematch of an amateur bout won by Artur Beterbiev, Artur Beterbiev dropped Oleksandr Gvozdyk three times in the tenth round to win the Lineal World Light Heavyweight championship, in the ESPN Top Rank main event on Friday evening, October 18, 2019, at Temple University Liacouras Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.



Beterbiev, now 15-0 with 15 knockouts, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, did not throw as many punches as Gvozdyk, 17-1 with 14 knockouts, Oxnard, California, but Beterbiev matched the punches landed. More so, Beterbiev was landing over hand rights, particularly counters, which eventually wore Govozdyk down. Govozdyk led on two of three scorecards, but Beterbiev’s power shots to the body began to take their toll late in the bout. Over the final three rounds of the bout, Beterbiev outlanded Gvozdyk 60-14 over the final three rounds of the bout, and Gvozdyk could not stand up to Beterbiev’s come forward pressure.



The first knockdown in the tenth round was ruled a shove by Beterbiev and no knockdown. The next two knockdowns sent Govozdyk down. Referee Gary Rosato told Gvozdyk he would give him one more chance. When Gvozdyk made his fourth trip to the canvas, and went down on one knee, Rosato waived off the bout. Corner trainer Teddy Atlas implored Gvozdyk to be the champion he should be, but Gvozdyk could no longer match his aggressive punch output late in the bout. This gave Beterbiev the opportunity to land power shots, left uppercuts and overhand rights and break Gvozdyk down mostly unchallenged. Even Gvozdyk made it out of the round, the 10-6 round for Beterbiev on all three scorecards in the tenth round meant Gvozdyk could not win the bout on two scorecards even if he won rounds eleven and twelve.



VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Result: Artur Beterbiev TKO 10 Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Light Heavyweights (2:49)

Beterbiev wins Lineal and World Boxing Council World Light Heavyweight titles

Beterbiev retains International Boxing Federation World Light heavyweight title

Referee: Gary Rosato.

Gvozdyk was down three times in the tenth round.

Beterbiev warned for hitting off the break in eighth. Gvozdyk warned for holding in ninth.

 

Kudratillo Abdudkorov Technical Decision 10 Luis Collazo, Welterweights (2:03)

Collazo unable to continue due to cut over right eye caused by accidental headbutt.

Referee: Benjy Esteves Jr.

 

ESPN Liacouras Center Undercard Results

 

Josue Vargas Win 8 Johnny Rodriguez, Super Lightweights (80-72, 80-72, 80-72)

 

Michael Seals TKO 1 Elio Trosch, Light Heavyweights

 

Joseph Adorno TKO 2 Damian Sosa, Lightweights

 

Julian Rodriguez TKO 6 Leonardo Doronio, Super Lightweights

 

Sonny Conto Referee’s Technical decision 1 Steve Lyons, Heavyweights

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].