Artur Beterbiev’s victory over Dmitry Bivol in yesterday’s enthralling light heavyweight showdown has sparked an almighty uproar within the boxing fraternity.
The 39-year-old became the first undisputed champion at 175 lbs since Roy Jones Jr following his strong performance to edge a razor thin majority decision.
However, many believe that Dmitry Bivol was the deserved winner, with fighters such as American star Ryan Garcia labeling the outcome as a robbery.
And yet, none seem to have been as vocal as Eddie Hearn, who strongly insists that one of the three judges should be barred from boxing.
- Read More [Boxing fans demand Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch after shocking scorecards revealed]
Eddie Hearn blasts judge after Artur beterbiev’s win over Dmitry Bivol
Eddie Hearn firmly believes that his fighter, Bivol, had done more than enough to win the thrilling 12-round dustup.
The Matchroom Boxing promoter, in fact, claims that none of the boxing aficionados he spoke to ringside had scored the bout in favor of Artur Beterbiev.
But despite his protests, Beterbiev was ultimately up in two of the judges’ scorecards by the final bell, with cards of 116-112 and 115-112 swinging it narrowly in his favor after one official gave it a draw.
And, unsurprisingly, it is the wider margin of Pawel Kardyni’s scorecard that has left Hearn outraged with the result.
“I find it sickening that after a lifetime of hard work Dmitry Bivol is not undisputed champion tonight,” Hearn said in the post-fight press conference, streamed on Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions’ YouTube channel among other outlets.
“He won that fight. I struggled to find anybody on our row, the row behind [or] the TV rows who didn’t score the fight to Dmitry Bivol.
“To find a judge give that fight 116-112 [to Beterbiev], and give Dmitry Bivol four rounds in that fight… this judge should never work in the sport again.”
Artur Beterbiev hits back at Eddie Hearn
In response to Eddie Hearn’s comments, Beterbiev has fired back with some ammunition of his own, looking to rub salt in the wounds by highlighting his prolific record against the British promoter’s fighters.
“They can do what they want. Eddie Hearn always talks about me not good,” Beterbiev told IFLTV.
“Maybe it’s because now it’s the third guy from Eddie Hearn who I beat. Maybe that’s why he complains always about me.”
This was, indeed, Beterbiev’s third victory against a Matchroom Boxing fighter, with his previous two arriving against Callum Johnson and Callum Smith.