The highly anticipated bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol has sparked intense reactions across the boxing world. Many fans and boxing pros feel that Bivol was unfairly judged and “robbed” of a victory in a fight where he appeared to have control, particularly in the earlier rounds. The close decision in favor of Beterbiev, which saw him win on points, has been met with widespread criticism.
From the outset, Bivol showed his boxing prowess, landing clean punches and keeping the pressure on Beterbiev. Many watching the fight felt that Bivol had the upper hand, especially in the initial rounds, controlling the pace and evading some of Beterbiev’s heavier shots. As the fight progressed, Beterbiev began to apply more pressure, but several ringside experts believed Bivol was still landing the cleaner, more accurate punches.
Prominent figures like Eddie Hearn and Conor Benn were outspoken about their belief that Bivol should have won. Hearn described the decision as a “joke,” highlighting that Beterbiev’s corner had even instructed him in the later rounds that he needed a knockout to secure the win. This only added to the sense of injustice felt by many in the boxing community.
Conor Benn, who scored the fight in favor of Bivol, remarked that Bivol started strong and maintained control through most of the bout, particularly in the earlier rounds. Benn also called for a rematch, saying it was the only fair course of action following such a controversial decision.
In his post-fight interview, Bivol expressed disappointment in his own performance, feeling he could have done more. He acknowledged that he allowed Beterbiev to gain momentum in the later rounds and admitted to not throwing enough punches to clearly secure the win. Bivol’s humility in defeat, despite many believing he won, has only garnered him more respect from the boxing community.
As the dust settles from this controversial fight, calls for a rematch between Bivol and Beterbiev are growing louder. Both fighters have expressed interest in a second showdown, which could finally settle the debate over who truly deserves to be the champion. For now, Bivol faces the bitter taste of defeat, but the boxing world remains divided over whether justice was served in this highly contentious decision.
In the meantime, the controversy surrounding this fight is likely to linger, with fans and analysts continuing to debate the outcome for months to come.
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