The world of boxing has once again been rocked by controversy, this time in the aftermath of a highly anticipated title bout. Eddie Hearn didn’t mince words when discussing the recent fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. The outspoken British boxing promoter, known for his passionate defense of his fighters, was livid. He couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed.
The fight had been a nail-biter, with both boxers showcasing their skills in the ring. But when the judges’ scorecards were read, Hearn’s blood began to boil. He voiced his displeasure, specifically at the judge who gave Beterbiev 116-112 on his scorecard.
“I don’t want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev and his team because they are just incredible fighters. But, I find it sickening that after a lifetime of hard work, Dmitry Bivol is not undisputed champion tonight. He won that fight…To find a judge give that fight 116-112 and give Dmitry Bivol four rounds in that fight, this judge should never work in the sport again,” said Hearn at the post-fight press conference.
The fight had gone the full 12 rounds, a first for Artur Beterbiev. Usually, he knocks out his opponents way faster than the 12th round. But Dmitry Bivol had proven to be a tough nut to crack. He went toe-to-toe with arguably one of the best knockout artists in the world.
Eddie Hearn described Bivol’s performance as a “boxing masterclass.” In his eyes, his fighter had danced around the ring like Muhammad Ali in his prime. Despite Hearn’s protestations, the other two judges saw things differently. One scored it a draw, while the other gave Beterbiev a narrow victory.
Team Beterbiev Responds To Eddie Hearn’s “Robbery” Comments
Boxing fans love a good controversy, and they get one this time! The recent clash between Beterbiev and Bivol set tongues wagging. The duo faced off in a light heavyweight title unification bout. It was a battle of the undefeated, a clash of titans. Fans expected fireworks, and they weren’t disappointed.
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After the fight, Eddie Hearn, Bivol’s promoter, went on a rant. He claimed his fighter was robbed of victory. Now, Carl Moretti from Top Rank has fired back, and they are not taking Hearn’s comments lying down.
“It’s okay to have close fights either way. But it wasn’t a robbery. I think it was a close fight…Look at Artur’s face and then look at Bivol’s face when he walks into the room. And even though his gloves were high, something was hitting him. It wasn’t a ghost. So, we’ll go from there,” said Moretti at the post-fight press conference.
This back-and-forth highlights a bigger issue in boxing as well as in other combat sports. Judging is subjective, and close fights often lead to heated debates. It’s part of what makes the sport so exciting and frustrating at the same time.
Also Read: Dmitry Bivol Reveals His Mindset About Fighting Artur Beterbiev In Their Upcoming Undisputed Fight
