Artur Beterbiev took the fight for the ages against Dmitry Bivol with the judges rewarding his aggression and tenacity, yet the differing styles demands a rematch after a brilliant, elite level fistic chess match here in Riyadh.
The majority decision for Beterbiev – 116-112, 115-113, 114-114 – was critiqued by many influential boxing figures, including promoter Eddie Hearn, after what was an extremely close fight. There were four swing rounds.
While broadcasting on the night, I rewarded Beterbiev’s tenacity on my cards, seeing him as the winner. Watching again, I still have Beterbiev the winner 7-5. You can also see why it was scored a draw, or why others saw it 7-5 the other way. It was no ‘robbery’. Just a very, very close fight.
His Excellency Turki Al-Alshikh has called for the rematch. It so clearly merits it.
It was always going to be a special fight. It was a special night, opening the Riyadh Season.
Beterbiev said: “I feel not bad. I did not good today. I wanted to box today with more quality, you know. I don’t know why, but I didn’t like this fight. But I’ll be better one day.“
“Of course it’s a tough fight because Dmitry is a world champion too. He has good skills, maybe better than me. But today, Allah chose me.”
“If His Excellency wants it [a rematch], then we can do it.”
Bivol said: “I am a warrior. I have to do everything perfect. And I don’t have any explanation because it could look like excuses. I just congratulate Artur and his team. He deserves it. No problem. I just have time to make another decision for my future. That’s it.”
“I don’t know. I just did my job. I felt that I could have done better. I always could be better. It’s just the opinion of the judges. Congratulations, Artur. I didn’t see the fight. He won. What can I say?“
“Yes, of course he’s powerful, very powerful. And you see I have bruise from my hand. He always [landed on my hand] and it was so hard that he reached my eye.”
Elsewhere on the card, Fabio Wardley stopped Frazer Clarke, who was hospitalised with a broken jaw, in a brutal fast fight. In my book, Wardley moves into the heavyweight top 10 with this victory and can go hunting for big fights. He has announced himself as an opponent for anyone after this destructive victory.
Chris Eubank is being lined up to fight Conor Benn next year after victory over Kamil Szeremeta, dropping him four times, Ben Whittaker was taken out of the arena in a wheelchair after he and Liam Cameron fell over the ropes in a moment of huge drama, the fight recorded as a split draw after six rounds.
Whittaker was widely criticised, but was unable to stand up after the pair suplexed together over the top rope sprawled in a tangle onto the ring apron.
And Sky Nicholson delivered a masterclass against Raven Chapman to defend her WBC featherweight title by a wide points decision.