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13th October 2024
10:23am BST
Eddie Hearn was furious with the judges’ decision to crown Artur Beterbiev the undisputed light-heavyweight champion on Saturday evening and launched an explosive rant claiming Dmitry Bivol was ‘robbed’.
Beterbiev beat Bivol on points to become the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the four-belt era and the first undisputed champion of the division since Roy Jones Jr in 2002.
Beterbiev, who had knocked out all of his opponents prior to Saturday night, was taken the distance with one judge scoring it 114-114, while the other two went 115-113 and 116-12 in Beterbiev's favour.
However, Hearn disagreed with the scorecards and claimed his man had been robbed.
Hearn said: “I don't want to disrespect Beterbiev, they are two of the greatest fighters of our generation but you saw the body language of his team. They were in the corner, they knew they had lost the fight. 116-112 to Artur Beterbiev. You gave Bivol four rounds.
“This is an absolute joke. It was a seven-five, eight-four fight to Bivol. He was cruising the fight. He gave up some rounds at the end of the fight but he won. They knew they had lost the fight.
“They were telling him in the corner, you have to knock him out to win the fight. I can't believe it. He was robbed of the undisputed championship tonight. I can't believe it.”
Hearn didn’t stop there as he added: “I find it sickening that after a lifetime of hard work Dmitry Bivol is not undisputed champion tonight… This judge should never work in the sport again.”
Several professional boxers agreed with Hearn’s comments as Ryan Garcia, Anthony Fowler, Josh Taylor and Frank Warren all took to social media to express their outrage.
Garcia said: “Wow, robbery if you ask me.” Fowler added: “Draw at best for me, Bivol did not deserve to lose.”
Warren agreed it should have been Bivol’s victory saying: “What a fight two high level operators at their best, I had Bivol personally!”
Tony Bellew also weighed in on the discussion, saying: “I've got Bivol winning that! The last round was so close again but I just feel Bivol landed the better shots all night long.. Great combinations, Great fight. Beterbiev was outstanding! Nearly 40 years old and he's finishing fights as strong as he did when he was 20! Well done to both warriors.”
I’ve got Bivol winning that! The last round was so close again but I just feel Bivol landed the better shots all
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) October 12, 2024
night long.. Great combinations, Great fight. Beterbiev was outstanding! Nearly 40 years old and he’s finishing fights as strong as he did when he was 20! 👏 well done…
Fans also commented on social media claiming the showdown was ‘rigged’.
However, Bivol was gracious in defeat saying: “I don't have any explanations because it could look like excuses. I just say congratulations to Artur and his team, he deserves it. No problem. I did my job, I always feel I could be better, it's just the opinions of judges. Congratulations Artur.”
Both boxers have welcomed the possibility of a rematch.
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