Beterbiev vs Bivol Rematch Still Possible Amid IBF Title Defence Order

Artur Beterbiev’s recent victory over Dmitrii Bivol in Riyadh has left boxing fans anticipating a potential rematch between the two Russian light-heavyweight titans. However, the immediate future for Beterbiev appears to be complicated by an order from the IBF to defend his title against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert. The situation highlights the complexities within boxing’s governing bodies, where rankings and mandatories can often interfere with the most anticipated fights.

Beterbiev’s Historic Win

At 39, Artur Beterbiev remains a force in the light-heavyweight division. His split-decision win over Dmitrii Bivol in Riyadh marked a significant achievement, as Beterbiev became the division’s first four-belt world champion. It was a gruelling contest, with the scorecards reading 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 in Beterbiev’s favour, a result that immediately sparked controversy.

Bivol’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, and manager, Vadim Kornilov, were quick to criticise the scorecards, particularly the 116-112 decision, which Hearn labelled “disgusting.” Despite these criticisms, Bivol himself refrained from publicly questioning the result, even as the defeat marked the first in his 24-fight career. The loss was made more bitter by the fact that Beterbiev was taken the distance for the first time in his professional career.

Bivol’s Appeal for a Rematch

Dmitrii Bivol, 33, has not let the defeat deter him from seeking another opportunity to face Beterbiev. On Wednesday, just days after the bout, Bivol’s legal team filed a formal request to the four sanctioning bodies—WBO, WBA, IBF, and WBC—urging them to support an immediate rematch. The appeal from Bivol’s camp is grounded in the belief that the fight was closely contested and that he deserves another shot at regaining his titles.

Despite Bivol’s formal appeal, the IBF has moved swiftly, ordering Beterbiev to begin negotiations with German challenger Michael Eifert for a mandatory title defence. While this could complicate the rematch plans, all is not lost.

Can a Rematch Still Happen?

Although the IBF has ordered Beterbiev to defend his title, there is still a pathway for the much-anticipated rematch to take place. Beterbiev’s camp has the option of requesting an “exception” from the IBF, allowing the unified champion to pursue a voluntary defence against Bivol. Such exceptions have been granted in the past, often allowing major fights to take precedence over mandatory defences.

A prime example of this was seen in the heavyweight division, where Oleksandr Usyk, after defeating Tyson Fury to claim all the heavyweight belts, was ordered by the IBF to face a mandatory challenger. When Usyk vacated the belt, Daniel Dubois was promoted to full champion status, complicating any future plans for an undisputed heavyweight title. However, the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch could follow a different route, especially if both fighters and their respective promoters push for it.

Boxing Politics at Play

The politics of boxing’s sanctioning bodies can often hinder the sport’s biggest fights. While both Beterbiev and Bivol have expressed a willingness to face each other again, the sanctioning bodies must align their interests to ensure that all four titles remain on the line. The challenge is balancing the desire for the best matchups with the obligations of defending against mandatory challengers.

The situation between Beterbiev and Bivol is not unprecedented. Boxing fans will recall similar circumstances with the likes of Jai Opetaia, the IBF cruiserweight champion, who was allowed to face Jack Massey, a fighter ranked outside the top 10, following a request for an exception. This demonstrates that with the right negotiations, Beterbiev could still face Bivol again, even with the IBF’s latest order.

Looking Ahead

For now, the boxing world waits to see how the situation will unfold. With Beterbiev ordered to negotiate with Michael Eifert, his immediate future may lie elsewhere, unless the IBF grants an exception. However, the appeal from Bivol’s camp remains active, and fans will hope that the two champions can lock horns once again, this time with even more at stake.

The broader significance of this potential rematch goes beyond the fighters themselves. The boxing community, still buzzing from the recent bout, is eager to see how the sport’s governing bodies will handle the clash between commercial interests and mandatory title defences. If history is any guide, there remains hope that boxing’s top stars will be given the opportunity to determine their legacies in the ring rather than in the boardroom.