RIYADH (Reuters) -Russian-born Canadian Artur Beterbiev was crowned boxing's undisputed light-heavyweight world champion after beating Russian rival Dmitry Bivol on a majority points decision in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol by the narrowest of margins on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia. With a majority decision victory, Beterbiev becomes the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion since 2002.

Artur Beterbiev captured the undisputed light heavyweight championship with a majority-decision victory over Dmitry Bivol on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Beterbiev closed the fight strongly and prevailed via scores of 115-113,

Artur Beterbiev beat Dmitry Bivol by a points decision to become the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion in the division for more than 20 years. The 39-year-old Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) had won all 20 of his previous fights by knockout but was forced the distance by his fellow Russian rival in Riyadh in the early hours of Sunday morning in a fight that had several swings of momentum and was almost too close to call.