On Saturday, October 12, Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) grew to become the primary undisputed gentle heavyweight champion within the four-belt period, by defeating Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was an enchanting most important occasion with a lot controversy surrounding the scorecards. Bob Arum has now spoken to Dan Rafael on the Massive Battle Weekend preview podcast concerning the controversy surrounding the scorecards and a doable rematch.
Bob Arum Weighs in on Beterbiev vs. Bivol Rematch
Arum Explains Why Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol II Might Be Delayed
Dan Rafael and different media personnel have just lately reported that Dmitry Bivol’s crew have formally contacted all 4 governing our bodies to request an quick rematch. Prime Rank chairman Arum has had his say on the much-talked-about scorecards: “I assumed Beterbiev received the struggle 7-5 (in rounds), notably as a result of he got here on within the late rounds to brush the late rounds, which he needed to do to win the struggle,” Arum mentioned.
Regardless of the scorecards being extensively debated, all three judges scored the ultimate three rounds for Beterbiev, and Arum addressed the controversy additional by saying: “I believe earlier than folks make any judgment concerning the struggle, they need to have a look at the judges’ scorecards.”
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He continued: “I imply, the three judges had 10 rounds equivalent. In different phrases, there was no dispute so far as 10 rounds had been involved. And that got here out six for Beterbiev, 4 for Bivol. Now, there have been two rounds the place the judges break up. … It was a really well-judged struggle. It wasn’t judges being far and wide. They noticed not less than 10 rounds the identical. I had Beterbiev successful 7-5 and I believe that lots of people viewing that struggle who claimed that Bivol received had been influenced by the TV manufacturing, which was achieved by DAZN though in the USA it was proven on ESPN+ — as a result of between rounds after they reviewed the highlights of the earlier spherical, overwhelmingly, it was for Bivol.”
Arum added relating to the protection of the struggle: “(The replays had been) Bivol-friendly as a result of Bivol was a DAZN fighter with Eddie Hearn and with Vadim, and I believe that influenced lots of people. That being mentioned, it was a really, very shut, very well-fought struggle.”
To listen to the snippet of the Bob Arum interview and extra from the “Massive Battle Weekend/Battle Freaks Unite Preview Podcast” with Dan Rafael and TJ Rives, click on the play button beneath.
Rematch and Attainable Delay
Regardless of each fighters being open to the rematch in addition to Turki Alalshikh, Arum revealed {that a} rematch won’t be so simple: “Turki, who loves boxing, desires to see a rematch and I believe the general public would like to see a rematch,”Arum mentioned. “However once more, as a result of the Riyadh Season ends in February, the earliest date for a rematch can be subsequent October (when the following pageant begins).”
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The Prime Rank chairman additionally hinted that massive fights outdoors of Riyadh Season could also be a factor of the previous: “That’s not what they’re going to do sooner or later,” Arum mentioned. “I believe there was numerous pushback on His Excellency (Alalshikh) for doing fights outdoors of Saudi Arabia and out of doors of Riyadh Season. So, I believe going ahead, you recognize, with a purpose to faucet into the massive price range that they may have they should do the fights in Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia, which is smart.”
Speaking a few doable interim bout for each, Arum mentioned: “So it could imply that every of those guys struggle another time in opposition to different opponents, after which for October of subsequent 12 months they do the rematch. I believe that’s the doubtless, from a enterprise standpoint, the likeliest factor that may occur and I believe that’s an affordable factor — if guys take interim fights, in the event that they’re amenable to it.”
