- Boxing. Francis Ngannou teases Deontay Wilder fight and Tyson Fury rematch after MMA comeback
- Boxing. Sydney Sweeney's stunning physical transformation for Christy Martin biopic
Dmitry Bivol's team has officially filed a protest with the four governing bodies, seeking an immediate rematch with Artur Beterbiev after their light heavyweight clash on October 12th at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The highly anticipated bout ended with Beterbiev winning by a 12-round majority decision, but the outcome has sparked controversy. Bivol's camp believes the fight was closer than the scorecards suggested and is pushing for a second chance to settle the score. As the boxing world debates the legitimacy of the protest, fans are left wondering if a rematch is truly on the horizon.
While Artur Beterbiev secured the victory, Dmitry Bivol's team argues that a "majority of viewers" believed Bivol should have been declared the winner. This claim has generated mixed reactions within the boxing community, as determining public opinion in such cases is difficult to quantify. Despite the contentious nature of the protest, it has successfully kept the spotlight on Bivol, a key figure in the light heavyweight division. The protest filing has fueled speculation about a possible rematch, which many believe could be one of the biggest fights in the division's future.
Bivol's team hopes that their protest will lead to the governing bodies ordering an immediate rematch with Beterbiev. While this remains to be seen, fans are divided over whether a rematch is necessary. For Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs), other potential blockbuster fights against Canelo Alvarez or David Benavidez could be more appealing. However, if those options aren't available, a second fight with Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) could be the next best step for both fighters.
As discussions around the potential rematch heat up, many fans recall the tactical approach Bivol took in the first fight, which didn't excite the crowd. After getting stunned in the seventh round, Bivol's defensive strategy became more apparent as he used constant movement to avoid Beterbiev's power. While this helped him survive the full 12 rounds, it led to a less-than-thrilling fight that left many wondering if a rematch would play out the same way.
Boxing analyst Jake Donovan highlighted the protest on X, stating, "Told that Dmitry Bivol's team has filed a protest with all four sanctioning bodies seeking an immediate rematch with Artur Beterbiev. The basis for appeal is the belief that the majority of viewers had Bivol winning. Complaint draws parallels to Lewis-Holyfield I." Although parallels to past controversial decisions are being drawn, the success of this protest remains uncertain.
Beterbiev's late-round domination leaves Bivol struggling to survive
One thing most analysts agree on is Beterbiev's ability to dominate late in the fight. Gareth A. Davies, from talkSport Boxing, noted Beterbiev's powerful comeback after the seventh round. "When Beterbiev came to life, you thought, 'This could be the end here.' Bivol has never been bullied like that before." Davies pointed out that Beterbiev's relentless pressure from the eighth round onward left Bivol struggling to maintain control.
Bivol's decision to avoid engaging with Beterbiev in the final rounds puzzled many fans. The Russian fighter appeared content to survive rather than take the risks needed to win. Beterbiev, known for his knockout power, turned up the heat, chasing Bivol around the ring and cutting off his escape routes. By the final round, it was clear that Bivol's strategy was to hold on, with little intention of engaging in a firefight.
Barry Jones, a ringside commentator, praised Beterbiev's power, stating, "This was the first time I was live for a Beterbiev fight. That power is real. He hits so hard that you're watching, and you hold your breath. In the last two rounds, it looked like he was getting dividends for that work. He just couldn't get the final finish." For Bivol, it was a survival game, but for Beterbiev, it was about proving his dominance in the light heavyweight division.
As the boxing world waits to see if the governing bodies will grant Bivol's protest, the potential for a rematch looms large. If the two fighters meet again, Bivol will need to adjust his strategy to avoid the same fate, while Beterbiev will be looking to leave no doubt about his superiority in the ring.