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Dmitry Bivol is ready to return to fighting
Representatives of former World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Dmitry Bivol have called for a rematch with Artur Beterbiev. The Russian fighters, as we recall, met in the ring on October 12, and by the referee's decision, the victory was given to Beterbiev, who became the absolute world champion in the light heavyweight division (up to 79.4 kg), since he already owned the belt. He is a member of the International Boxing Federation (IBF), the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO). However, many in the boxing world consider this unfair. According to the prestigious publication The Ring, Bivol's team not only called for an "immediate" rematch, but also did not give up the idea of overturning the decision of one of the three judges who presided over the fight in Riyadh. The boxers have already received $ 10 million each. New fights can lead to higher payouts.
The prestigious boxing publication The Ring reported that Dmitry Bivol's representatives have asked their client for a rematch with Artur Beterbiev. Let me remind you that the two Russian boxers met in the ring on October 12 in Riyadh. The victory by decision of the judges was awarded to Beterbiev, which made him the first absolute world champion in the light heavyweight division since Roy Jones acquired it (2002) and the first boxer in the history of this category to collect four belts (at that time, Jones had only three belts). ). main belt). However, many experts did not agree that Betterbiev was recognized as the winner of the fight.
In a letter sent to all four major professional boxing organizations (WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC) and obtained by The Ring, Bivol's representative stated that in light of the controversial verdict, their client would seek "an immediate rematch." said he deserved it. "Considering that the decision at the end of the match was controversial, we have submitted a request for a 'replay' to all federations and are also working on continuing to review the decision of one of the referees. Beterbiev won with a score of 116:112." Bivol's coach Vadim Kornilov told The Ring this. He called on boxing organizations to reconsider the disputed score.
The controversial score was given by Polish referee Pawel Kardyni. In his opinion, Beterbiev won 8 out of 12 rounds, including the last 3. American referee Glen Feldman also gave the preference to Beterbiev – 115:113. The third referee, Spaniard Manuel Oliver Palomo, scored the match a draw (114:114).
It is hard to say how Bivol's representatives would have reacted if Kordin had shown the same 115:113. No one complained to Feldman. Perhaps the Polish referee could have avoided criticism if he had shown a little more restraint.
Well, many experts in the boxing world did not really agree with the fact that Beterbiev won twice as many rounds as Bivol.
The Ring also conducted a poll of the world's leading boxing authorities to determine the winner of the fight. 21 experts participated. The results were mixed, but there was still a consensus that Bivol was underrated. Nine respondents said Bivol should have won, five agreed that Beterbiev should have won, and seven either gave the verdict a draw or were undecided. The Ring also provides information compiled on its Boxing News+ portal based on a poll of a wide range of experts. The average result was 115-113 in favor of Betterbiev.
There is still no consensus on who won the fight, however, so speculative tallies are probably not important for now. Still, there are some vocal voices who find the judge’s decision questionable. Among them is Turki Al Al-Sheikh, head of the Saudi Arabian Entertainment Authority, which organized the show. “It was one of the best fights in the last 20 years, but I’m not sure the result was fair,” he said. I think Bivol won two rounds more than he was given. “Both players are like brothers to me, and if they agree, I’ll have a rematch.”
In fact, the statement by Bivol's representative includes a call for a rematch, as already stated. It was also noted that "Mr. Beterbiev said that if the promoter wants a rematch, he will agree." In fact, Beterbiev on Thursday, commenting on the fight at the forum "Russia - a sports power" in Ufa, said nothing about a rematch, but said, despite the protests of Bivol representatives: "Let them protest."
Nevertheless, the chances of Beterbiev and Bivol meeting in the ring again are quite high.
According to Forbes, both fighters will receive $10 million for the final fight. Given the disgusting atmosphere surrounding it, it would be much easier for the promoters to “sell” the public on a rematch. This would have a positive effect on the boxers’ purses. So it would be difficult to refuse the offer.