Artur Beterbiev beat Dmitry Bivol by majority decision with scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114 to become the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion in decades.
The elite-level contest, filled with close rounds pitting the aggression of Beterbiev against the movement and fast hands of Bivol, has sparked huge debate in the boxing world in the aftermath due to many feeling Bivol’s hand should have be raised.
Speaking on Pro Box TV, Hall of Fame fighter turned analyst Tim Bradley said that after rewatching the fight he has settled on Beterbiev win eight rounds to four – the same as the controversial 116-112 card handed in by Polish judge Pawel Kardyni.
“Let’s put it this way, this wasn’t a highway robbery, people. I just want to let you know that right now. After watching the fight, even calling the fight, I had to pick a side. I was like, man, I like Bivol’s work, but I have to say, after the fight I went back and watched it again, no sound, none of that, and I scored it for Beterbiev. Two rounds over him.
On claims of a ‘robbery’ – most notably by Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn – Bradley pushed back.
“Look at the scorecards. There’s only two rounds discrepancy between the judges. This is 36 rounds that are being judged. 36 rounds between the three of them and only two rounds discrepancy? I will say one thing about the 116-112. The fourth round – I watched it twice before I came on the shot – it’s hard to give that round to Beterbiev. That might’ve been a hiccup, however it wouldn’t have changed the actual decision on his scored. Beterbiev still would’ve had won the fight.”
The former two-weight world champion said that Bivol’s defeat ultimately came in the championship rounds after a strong start.
“You cannot win a championship fight losing the last three rounds. He lost the last three rounds. And I know I might get some pushback … Each of the judges scored the twelfth for Beterbiev and so did I because he put the pressure on, Bivol wasn’t answering and counterpunching often enough. That’s the reason why Beterbiev took this fight people.”
Finally, Bradley, like most others in the sport, called for the rematch.
“Look, it was a controversy. Simple. Let’s have a rematch. That’s how you deal with these type of things. But to drag Pawel’s name through the mud? I think all of these judges did a great job. A damn good job.”
It is now the most likely option for both men when they return in 2025.
