Promoter Eddie Hearn was enraged after witnessing Dmitry Bivol’s controversial 12-round majority decision loss to Artur Beterbiev on Saturday night in Riyadh.
Hearn was particularly incensed by the judge’s score of 8-4 in favor of Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs), which he believed did not accurately reflect the action in the ring.
Hearn’s 8-4 Score for Bivol
Hearn argued that he saw Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) winning by an 8-4 margin, a score that fans found even more questionable than the official decision. Bivol’s performance in the latter half of the fight raised doubts about him deserving the 8-4 score Hearn gave him.
Despite Bivol’s constant movement, he struggled under Beterbiev’s pressure in rounds 8 through 12. Hearn failed to acknowledge what would have happened if Bivol had engaged in a brawl with Beterbiev.
Bivol relinquished his WBA title to IBF, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight champion Beterbiev, who now holds all four belts after defeating him at the Kingdom Arena.
The scores
– 114-114
– 115-113
– 116-112
“Eddie Hearn always talks bad about me,” Artur Beterbiev responded to iFL TV when informed of Hearn’s discontent with the scorecards. Beterbiev expressed interest in a rematch with Bivol and speculated that Hearn’s criticism stemmed from him defeating another one of Hearn’s fighters.
Hearn was upset that Beterbiev defeated another one of his fighters, particularly since it dashed Bivol’s chances of facing Canelo Alvarez next, a highly lucrative opportunity.
“He’s much more composed than me. When you dedicate your life to something and deliver a performance like that, it’s unfair to have it taken away from you,” Hearn remarked about Bivol. Hearn strongly disagreed with the judge’s 116-114 score and believed Bivol deserved to be the undisputed champion.
Ultimately, the judges deemed Beterbiev the superior fighter, and Bivol’s inability to maintain aggression in the later rounds worked against him.
“His Excellency suggested a rematch. Hopefully, he follows through. I’m devastated for him. He’s an extraordinary sportsperson. He’s handling this defeat with more grace than I would, that’s the kind of person he is. Both fighters deserve respect. Bivol should have been crowned undisputed champion,” Hearn concluded.
Bivol Was Wilting
The judges’ verdict favored Beterbiev, as they believed Bivol failed to do enough to secure victory. Bivol’s timidity in the final rounds cost him the fight, as he spent the latter part of the contest evading Beterbiev’s attacks. Had Bivol shown more courage, he risked being knocked out, as he was visibly weakening despite his defensive tactics.
