Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev Postfight Thoughts

 

 

The conclusion of Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev was anti-climactic in many ways. The decision in favor of Beterbiev was wrong. I'm afraid I have to disagree with the judges' good judgment. Dmitry Bivol won this fight, as the first 5 rounds were runaway rounds in favor of him. Beterbiev managed to come back into the fight valiantly, but there was no way he did enough to win this fight. There were moments during the fight in which you would think that Bivol was outclassing Beterbiev. The first half of the fight felt like that.

 

This would mean that Beterbiev had to fight a perfect fight in the second half, which he did not. This was a tough one to predict to begin with, as both fighters are evenly matched. It was already tough for him to do that. This is what the spectators most likely were thinking. They remembered the first half of the fight being dominated by Bivol.

 

In the later rounds, Beterbiev's corner even told him he needed a knockout to win. Why would they say that if they thought he was winning the fight? Doesn't make sense. The spectators even booed the decision because they remembered the earlier rounds that Bivol had won.

 

The two fighters are world-class fighters, but it is unfair for them to receive a decision that hampers the true meaning of the fight. They fought their best. It is beyond their power to know what each individual thinks of who won each individual round. Bivol respects the decision of the judges and if Bivol respects the decision, we should also do the same. There is no use crying over spilled milk. Both fighters expressed their openness to a rematch. 

 

In Bivol's own words, "Why not, of course. If I have a chance to, yes, this is my dream to become undisputed world champion."

 

In Beterbiev's words, he says, "If his excellency wants to, we going to do." His excellency refers to Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority. 

 

In retrospect, perhaps the judges favored the aggressive style that Beterbiev displayed. He was the one pressing action on many occasions during the fight. And, even though he was getting hit, he pressed much of the action. But, that's not to say Bivol wasn't effective with his ring generalship and counters. He was also holding his own. Though I do think Bivol won the fight, it is not very upsetting at all because there's an explanation for why the judges gave the edge to Beterbiev. As expected though, it was indeed a close fight.

 

The two fighters greatly respect each other. And, why not, let's see it again: Bivol vs Beterbiev 2. Let's go!