Dmitrii Bivol Pursues Rematch After Disputed Loss to Artur Beterbiev
In a contest that showcased boxing at its finest, Dmitrii Bivol narrowly fell short to Artur Beterbiev, who claimed victory by majority decision and unified the light heavyweight division in Riyadh. Yet, Bivol and his team are far from conceding; they are pushing for an immediate rematch, and their efforts are gaining momentum.
Call for Review
The highly anticipated bout on October 12 lived up to the hype, with Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) emerging victorious on the scorecards. However, the decision—114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 in favour of Beterbiev—left many feeling that Bivol had done enough to win. “Bivol’s camp has formally requested an immediate rematch with all four sanctioning bodies, citing that ‘the result was hotly contested’,” said Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager.
The request for a rematch has been backed by significant figures, including event organiser Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. Alalshikh, in his statement to The Stomping Grounds, described the bout as “one of the great fights of the last 20 years,” adding that he felt Bivol had won two more rounds than the judges awarded him. This view has fuelled a growing campaign to secure a second fight between the two champions.
Historical Parallels and Legal Action
Kornilov, along with Bivol’s legal team, has taken an assertive stance, reaching out to all four sanctioning bodies. They aim to pressure for a review of the judging, particularly on the 116-112 scorecard from judge Pawel Kardyni, which they regard as an outlier. Comparisons are being drawn with another high-profile and contentious decision from over two decades ago: the 1999 draw between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, which led to an immediate rematch. Patrick English, an attorney representing Bivol, noted, “The circumstances are similar to Holyfield/Lewis…To say that the decision was hotly contested is an understatement.”
Bivol’s team has presented press clippings and public statements from prominent promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, both of whom shared the view that Bivol was the rightful winner. They argue that Bivol, who held the WBA and IBO titles and defended his belt successfully eleven times, deserved the victory. Hearn went as far as to claim that the decision undermined all Bivol’s achievements over the past seven years.
Support Grows for the Rematch
The opinion within the boxing world has been split. In a poll conducted by The Ring, nine out of twenty-one industry experts sided with Bivol, five believed Beterbiev won, and the remaining seven were undecided or had the bout as a draw. Similarly, Boxing News+, led by Rob Tebbutt, scored the fight 115-113 for Beterbiev, reflecting the razor-thin margin that divided these two exceptional athletes.
With support for a rematch building, Bivol’s team is pursuing all possible avenues to ensure that the bout happens. “Mr. Bivol has requested a rematch,” the legal team emphasised. “The promoters of the bout, Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, and Turki Alalshikh, have all indicated they believe a rematch is warranted.” It appears that Beterbiev is open to the idea as well, having reportedly said he would consider a rematch if the promoters agreed.
What’s Next for Bivol and Beterbiev?
Bivol’s defeat to Beterbiev may have been narrow, but it doesn’t mark the end of his title aspirations. Since claiming the WBA title in 2017, Bivol has built a legacy of resilience and skill. In 2022, he was hailed as Fighter of the Year, and his supporters are determined that this setback will not define his career. With a rematch, he has the chance to reclaim his place as one of the sport’s leading light heavyweights.
Beterbiev, meanwhile, solidifies his status as an undisputed champion. His career trajectory has seen him become the first unified light heavyweight champion since Roy Jones Jr. relinquished the throne in 2002. As the sport’s second-longest reigning active male titleholder, Beterbiev is only behind Knockout CP Freshmart in terms of longevity.
Whether or not the rematch takes place remains to be seen, but if it does, it promises to be another epic chapter in boxing’s storied history. For now, both fighters stand as the very best in their weight class—a testament to their skill, grit, and determination in a sport that demands nothing less.