Eddie Hearn is not happy.
Russian knockout artist Artur Beterbiev scored a gigantic win yesterday (Sat., Oct. 12, 2024), when he became the first boxer to defeat Dmitry Bivol via majority decision to become undisputed Light Heavyweight champion from inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (watch highlights).
The fight’s result was very controversial (check out the scorecards), with many analysts scoring it either a win over Bivol or a draw.
After the fight, Bivol’s promoter, Hearn, was outraged about the decision and revealed that Beterbiev had been told he was down on the cards.
“It’s a JOKE!” – Eddie Hearn
Were you satisfied with the scorecards tonight? #BeterbievBivol | #RiyadhSeason | #Boxing pic.twitter.com/lrZNrm54FX
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) October 12, 2024
“It was a f—king joke, a joke,” Hern told Fight Hub. “They knew. They told him in the tenth round that you have to knock him out to win this fight. It’s on TV…How can you score that fight 8-4 for Beterbiev? Unbelievable. Terrible decision.”
During the post-fight show on the broadcast, Hearn doubled down and called for judge Pawel Kardyni, who scored the fight 116-112, to be fired and never work again.
“It’s disgusting,” Hearn said. “Top Rank knew he’d lost. I’m absolutely baffled and disgusted. I don’t want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev. That judge should never work again. Four rounds in a fight of this magnitude is disgusting.”
While Hearn doesn’t see the fight as a robbery, he’s shocked at the ridiculous scorecard.
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia and boxing savior Turki Al-Sheikh agrees and wants to set up a rematch because he didn’t think the “result was fair.”
For complete Beterbiev vs. Bivol results and play-by-play, click HERE!