Artur Beterbiev edges Dmitry Bivol in a fiercely contested chess match, becoming the first undisputed light heavyweight king since 1999.
The Russian was compelled to overcome the relentless and fluid movement of Bivol, who is the only man to have taken his formidable opponent the full 12-round distance.
In their early exchanges, Bivol’s jab and sharp combinations seemed to befuddle Beterbiev, who struggled to close down the distance.
Nevertheless, two of the ringside judges scored it in favor of the 39-year-old – with their cards reading 115-113 and 116-112 – while the third judge gave it a draw.
Ryan Garcia insists that Dmitry Bivol was robbed in his fight against Artur Beterbiev
Following Beterbiev and Bivol’s elite-level, compelling battle, several fighters have expressed their frustrations and bemusement with the result, convinced that the younger combatant had done enough to win.
The 33-year-old certainly got off to a bright start and, more importantly, he showcased a tremendous engine down the stretch, constantly pumping his legs.
But it was, indeed, in the later round when Beterbiev began his terrific onslaught, forcing Bivol to remain on the backfoot.
Regardless of the result, though, the fight proved to be the enthralling showdown that fans had anticipated, with Beterbiev ultimately acquiring the crown last worn by legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr.
But still, a handful of fighters have now taken to social media to voice their opinions.
Internet star Ryan Garcia said: “Wow robbery if you ask me.”
Shakur Stevenson laughs at Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol scorecards
Lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson, too, has published his reaction to the fight, simply by placing two laughing emojis next to two of the judges’ scorecards.
Now, it would seem that a rematch is the obvious solution, with Bivol deserving to get his shot at redemption.
Beterbiev, meanwhile, was able to prove that, despite his age and recent knee surgery, he is still at the peak of his powers.