Promising Rematch Between Beterbiev and Bivol
Bob Santos is eagerly anticipating the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, believing it will be a thrilling encounter between two great Russian boxers. Earlier this month, Beterbiev, 39, secured a controversial victory over 33-year-old Bivol in a light heavyweight championship fight. The judges scored the bout 115-113, 116-112, and 114-114, awarding the win to Beterbiev in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Santos believes that the rematch could unfold differently if either fighter manages to land a surprise punch that alters the fight’s dynamics.
Santos stated, “I think it’s going to be very similar to the first fight. However, this is boxing, and anyone can get hit with something that changes the outcome. Unless one of them can knock out the other to really put them in trouble, I think this fight will go much like the first one. Ultimately, it will come down to what the judges prefer.”
Controversy Surrounding the Judges’ Decision
The judges’ decision to award Beterbiev, 21-0 (20), the majority decision victory has sparked considerable controversy, with many believing that Bivol, 23-1 (12), deserved a narrow win. Bivol started the bout strong, winning the opening rounds, but Beterbiev gained the upper hand in the middle portion of the fight. Santos remarked, “I wouldn’t have opposed a draw, and I’m okay with Beterbiev winning. Some of the rounds were very subjective, and it was a very close fight. It was by no means a robbery in either direction”.
When asked if he thought Bivol lost the fight in the final rounds, Santos affirmed this notion. He said, “I do think he might have been a little tired or perhaps gave away some of the later rounds. Early on, I definitely had Bivol winning. That said, Beterbiev still won a couple of rounds in the first six, and the middle rounds were very hard to score”.
In conclusion, Santos emphasized, “The first round is just as important as the twelfth. When you get to the final stretch, you have to recognize that the fight was very close. For whatever reason, he may have been a little tired or thought he was ahead on the scorecards and didn’t need to engage, and ultimately, that’s what cost him the fight”.
