Former WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is hoping for a rematch with undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev. The duo locked horns at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last weekend, which turned out to be a pretty neck-and-neck battle. However, the 39-year-old managed to edge out his Russian compatriot in the end. 

Since then, Bivol has taken his first career defeat on the chin as he refused to give any excuses for his loss. Meanwhile, the boxing world is buzzing with talks of a rematch between them. While appearing in an interview with Fight Hub TV the morning after the fight, Bivol expressed similar emotions, as he provided updates on a potential rematch.

When asked about it by Marcos Villegas, Bivol claimed, “He [Turki Alalshaikh] told me he thought that I won and wants to make the rematch for me. Now it depends on Beterbiev [if he wants it].” It’s worth noting that Bivol had the lead after the starting bell, but Beterbiev started overtaking in the third round—like most of his fights. 

Despite that, Bivol kept throwing his trademark combinations to stop the fight from falling in Beterbiev’s favor. However, on many occasions, the 33-year-old was forced to go on his back foot to avoid Beterbiev’s relentless attacks. This didn’t stop the momentum from swaying in Bivol’s favor in later rounds, even though Beterbiev had absolutely dominated the 11th round.

After the final bell, it appeared Bivol had done enough even if it was by a minuscule difference. Understandably, the majority decision win for Beterbiev shocked the world, especially judge Pawel Kardyni’s score, 116-112, in Beterbiev’s favor, which showed way too big of a difference in performance. 

Beterbiev’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, wasn’t having it, as he expressed his thoughts on the results. 

Eddie Hearn wants Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev judge out of boxing

Utterly shocked by how the decision turned out, Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports, “Dmitry Bivol should be undisputed champion. He deserves it. It was a boxing masterclass.” He emphasized Bivol’s hard work to reach the position, just to have it taken away despite a stellar performance. 

“To give Dmitry Bivol four rounds of that 12-round fight – that judge should never work again,” Hearn added. Reminding everyone that Beterbiev was told by his corner that he needed to knock out Bivol to win the fight, Hearn immediately asked for a rematch for his fighter. “So let’s see the rematch,” Hearn said. 

Despite what seemed like a draw or a close fight at best, Dmitry Bivol now has to come to terms with his first career loss. However, Artur Beterbiev has shown openness to the possibility of a rematch during his post-fight interview, so it might just be a matter of making it happen. Who do you think won the fight?