October 16th 2024.
On a Saturday night, the boxing world witnessed an epic showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. The two light heavyweight champions battled it out in Saudi Arabia for the chance to be named the undisputed sole champion of their division. It was a historic event, with the last undisputed light heavyweight champion being crowned 25 years ago.
In a controversial turn of events, Beterbiev emerged as the winner, adding the WBA belt to his already impressive collection of titles. However, Bivol's team was not satisfied with the decision and have formally requested an immediate rematch. They believe that Bivol was the true winner of the fight and are seeking to overturn the judges' scorecards.
The decision to award Beterbiev the win has been met with widespread criticism, with many, including Bivol's promoter Eddie Hearn, labeling it as "sickening." Hearn even went as far as to say that the judge who scored the fight in Beterbiev's favor should never work in the sport again. Bivol's team has now launched an official appeal to the governing bodies, citing the need for a rematch between the two Russian fighters.
Their appeal will draw comparisons to a similar situation in 1999, when a heavyweight title fight between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis was ruled a draw. The crowd heavily booed the decision, and a rematch was immediately ordered, taking place eight months later. Bivol's team will also argue that the majority of viewers on Saturday night had Bivol as the clear winner.
Beterbiev may have been crowned the undisputed champion, but Bivol's team is not giving up without a fight. Bivol's manager, Vadim Kornilov, has confirmed that they are still seeking a response to their request to review the scorecard of the judge who scored the fight in Beterbiev's favor. Hearn expressed his disappointment with the decision, stating that Bivol deserved to be the undisputed champion after his incredible performance.
Many, including those in the boxing world, believe that Bivol did enough to win the fight. Despite the loss, Bivol remains humble and focused on improving for future fights. He believes that he can do better and is ready for whatever comes his way. However, it is clear that Bivol and his team do not believe that they received a fair chance in the ring that night. They are determined to prove themselves and claim the title that they believe is rightfully theirs.
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