The highly anticipated fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev on October 12 in Riyadh for the undisputed light heavyweight championship will undoubtedly go down in history as one of boxing’s greatest matchups. Both fighters pushed themselves to the absolute limit for all 12 rounds, delivering a thrilling spectacle that left fans breathless. However, despite the intense and closely contested battle, Artur Beterbiev was declared the undisputed champion with scores of 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112, a result that left fans shocked and questioning the judges’ decision.
The fight was razor-close, and many observers believed that Bivol had done enough to secure victory. As soon as the final bell rang, the controversy began, with fans around the world taking to social media to express their frustration, some calling the decision a “robbery.” Calls for an immediate rematch echoed across the boxing community, but Bivol himself took a different approach.
Despite the outcry, Bivol remained composed in his post-fight interview. The 23-1 fighter reflected on his performance with a calm yet emotional demeanor, refusing to use the judges’ scorecards as an excuse for his first professional defeat. “I felt like everything was under control before the last round. I felt like I landed more clean punches,” Bivol stated, and the statistics backed him up—he landed more punches (142 to 137) than Beterbiev, even though Beterbiev threw significantly more (682 to 423).
However, Bivol made it clear that boxing is about more than just landing clean punches. “Boxing is not only about clean punches. It’s about how you impress judges, and you need to count rounds, not punches,” he explained, grappling with the disappointment but maintaining his integrity. He went on to say, “I feel shame if I try to explain why I didn’t win the fight. I didn’t win, and that’s it,” as he fought to hold back emotion.
Bivol’s refusal to make excuses for his loss demonstrated his warrior spirit. Despite the bitter outcome, he stood by his philosophy of continuous improvement, knowing that focusing on explanations would take away from the hard work and sacrifice he had poured into his career. His humility and determination won over many fans, even in defeat.
As soon as the fight ended, Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, wasted no time in calling for a rematch. He publicly appealed to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, who had hosted the event, describing the result as a “joke” and urging for another showdown between the two fighters. His Excellency, in turn, expressed his own disappointment with the judges’ scoring, stating that Bivol should have been awarded at least two more rounds.
Turki Alalshikh praised the match as “one of the great fights of the last 20 years,” but firmly supported the idea of a rematch, pledging to do his part in making it happen. His view echoed the sentiments of fans and pundits alike, who felt the close contest deserved another chapter.
As for Bivol, no convincing is needed. While many are clamoring for a rematch due to the controversial decision, Bivol’s motivation lies elsewhere. “I am a warrior and have no excuses. I just want another chance to prove myself,” he declared. His drive to improve and redeem himself on his own terms shows that his pursuit of greatness is far from over.
The ball is now in Beterbiev’s court. With both fans and experts calling for a rematch, the question remains: will Beterbiev agree to face Bivol again? After such an intense fight, only time will tell if the two warriors will step into the ring once more to settle the score.
What do you think? Should Artur Beterbiev accept the rematch? Let us know your thoughts below!
