Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol LIVE RESULTS: Beterbiev WINS controversial thriller, Clarke in hospital after KO loss
ARTUR BETERBIEV has controversially beaten Dmitry Bivol on points in a thrilling main event in Riyadh!
On the undercard, Fabio Wardley has destroyed Frazer Clarke inside ONE round in their long-awaited rematch.
While Chris Eubank Jr finally made his return to the ring with a stoppage victory over Kamil Szeremeta, which included a fierce confrontation with rival Conor Benn afterwards.
Though Ben Whittaker's fight against Liam Cameron ended extraordinarily with both fighters falling over the top rope in never-before-seen circumstances.
Whittaker was taken out of the arena in a wheelchair and the fight was ruled a technical decision split draw.
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Saudi Royal Adviser Turki Alalshikh calls for rematch
Saudi Royal Adviser Turki Alalshikh has joined fans in calling for a rematch, echoing claims from many – including promoter Eddie Hearn – that Dmitry Bivol was robbed in his recent fight.
Alalshikh said: "It's one of the great fights that ever I see in the last 20 years.
"But I don't think the result is fair.
"I don't know why the result [was] like this but they deserve a rematch.
"If they accept we will do it."
Slim margins
Artur Beterbiev won last night's huge matchup via a razor thin decision from the judges!
One judged scored it 114-114, while the other two went 115-113 and 116-12 in Beterbiev’s favour.
“That judge should never work again”
Dmitry Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn was absolutely disgusted with the decision, taking particular exception with one of the judges scorecards, which scored the fight 116-112 – meaning Bivol won only four rounds.
Eddie Hearn: “In one of the biggest fights of our generation and in the most important fight in Dmitry Bivol’s life you give him FOUR rounds? It’s absolutely disgusting.
“You heard in the 10th Round ‘you have to knock him out to win this fight’. They knew Artur Beterbiev lost this fight. I’m absolutely baffled and disgusted by a scorecard of 116-112.
“I don’t want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev but Dmitry Bivol should be the undisputed champion tonight and that judge should never work again.
“Four rounds in a fight of that magnitude is disgusting.”
“Congratulations to Artur”
Dmitry Bivol speaking to DAZN after losing to Artur Beterbiev: “I am a warrior. I have no explanation because it looks like excuses. I am a warrior. I don’t know, I did my job but I felt like I could do better but it was just the opinion of some judges.
“Congratulations to Artur. He is powerful, very powerful. I have a bruise from my hand, he hit it and it was so hard. A rematch? Why not? Of course. It is my dream to be undisputed.”
Wardley KO's Clarke
Fabio Wardley defended his British heavyweight title with a stunning first round KO against Frazer Clarke.
The Riyadh showdown saw them facing-off in a rematch after a brilliant draw back in March.
However, a huge shot from Wardley against Clarke's jaw ended the contest inside one round.
Clarke was seen slumped against the corner of the ring after the brutal punch, prompting the referee to wave off the fight.
Medical professional's were seen attending to Clarke following the fight in the ring.
Pictures of Clarke showed his jaw looking out of place, while there also appeared to be a sizeable DENT in the side of his head.
Whittaker shock
Ben Whittaker was left in a wheelchair and hospitalised following a freak injury after being pushed out of the boxing ring against Liam Cameron.
In the fifth round of the fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Whittaker and Cameron went over the top rope during a clinch.
Cameron was seen pushing his light heavyweight opponent towards the corner of the ring, before they both ended up tumbling over the rope in an incident that could be mistaken for a WWE move.
After being flattened out in the fall, Cameron managed to get himself back to his feet and back in the ring quickly before gesturing he was ready to continue.
However, 2020 Olympic silver medal winner Whittaker was unable to continue with an injured right leg after medical treatment, and was later taken to the hospital.
The Surgeon had seemed set to lose his undefeated record with Cameron on course for an upset victory.
Eddie Hearn on the result
Dmitry Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn is absolutely disgusted with that decision last night. He particularly takes exception with one of the judges scorecards, which scored the fight 116-112 – meaning Bivol won only four rounds.
Eddie Hearn: “In one of the biggest fights of our generation and in the most important fight in Dmitry Bivol’s life you give him FOUR rounds? It’s absolutely disgusting.
“You heard in the 10th Round ‘you have to knock him out to win this fight’. They knew Artur Beterbiev lost this fight. I’m absolutely baffled and disgusted by a scorecard of 116-112.
“I don’t want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev but Dmitry Bivol should be the undisputed champion tonight and that judge should never work again.
“Four rounds in a fight of that magnitude is disgusting.”
Art of war
Artur Beterbiev is now the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
He is the first undisputed champion of the division since Roy Jones Jr in 2002.
'Ringside robbery'
Ringside report from Riyadh, from Wally Downes Jr.
Dmitry Bivol was utterly robbed of undisputed light-heavyweight glory by a Saudi Arabia scandal against Artur Beterbiev.
The 33-year-old Russian WBA champ dared to take on the compatriot and silent assassin who held the WBC, IBF and WBO crowns.
And he controlled the bearded menace until the judges should have cemented his place in the pantheons of boxing’s best.
But one terrible judge called it a: 114-114 draw and the other two managed to be even bigger jokes by scoring it: 116-112 and 115-113.
"Congratulations to Artur"
Dmitry Bivol speaking to DAZN after losing to Artur Beterbiev: "I am a warrior. I have no explanation because it looks like excuses. I am a warrior. I don't know, I did my job but I felt like I could do better but it was just the opinion of some judges.
"Congratulations to Artur. He is powerful, very powerful. I have a bruise from my hand, he hit it and it was so hard. A rematch? Why not? Of course. It is my dream to be undisputed."
"I gave it to Bivol"
Frank Warren is a little less emphatic but agrees with Eddie Hearn that Dmitry Bivol should have won.
He told DAZN: "I gave it to Bivol by a couple of rounds. I thought it was close fight but there is now way that score of 8-4. It's ridiculous.
"Everyone around that ring thought Bivol won. They should order a rematch. There should be a rematch. The scoring of 8-4 is a bit of a joke."
"That judge should never work again"
Dmitry Bivol's promoter Eddie Hearn is absolutely disgusted with that decision tonight. He particularly takes exception with one of the judges scorecards, which scored the fight 116-112 - meaning Bivol won only four rounds.
Eddie Hearn: "In one of the biggest fights of our generation and in the most important fight in Dmitry Bivol's life you give him FOUR rounds? It's absolutely disgusting.
"You heard in the 10th Round 'you have to knock him out to win this fight'. They knew Artur Beterbiev lost this fight. I'm absolutely baffled and disgusted by a scorecard of 116-112.
"I don't want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev but Dmitry Bivol should be the undisputed champion tonight and that judge should never work again.
"Four rounds in a fight of that magnitude is disgusting."
"They always say that"
I must admit, when Artur Beterbiev's corner told him that he needed a knockout entering Round 11, I thought he was in trouble.
It turns out, they always say that!
Asked about his corner saying he needed a knockout: "They always say that. I was more focused but not more aggressive. It's my experience and I am happy. I am a very simple boxer."
"I did not good today"
Artur Beterbiev speaking to DAZN after beating Dmitry Bivol: "I feel not bad. I did not good today. I wanted to box with more quality. I'll be better one day. It was a little bit uncomfortable. Of course, it was a tough fight because Dmitry is a tough champion and he has tough skills, better than me.
"During the fight, we always try to change something. I didn't deliver more punches, I don't know. Today I am lucky too."
"Utterly robbed"
The thoughts of our reporter Wally Downes Jr in Riyadh
Dmitry Bivol was utterly robbed of undisputed light-heavyweight glory by a Saudi Arabia scandal against Artur Beterbiev.
The 33-year-old Russian WBA champ dared to take on the compatriot and silent assassin who held the WBC, IBF and WBO crowns.
And he controlled the bearded menace until the judges should have cemented his place in the pantheons of boxing’s best.
But one terrible judge called it a: 114-114 draw and the other two managed to be even bigger jokes by scoring it: 116-112 and 115-113.
Instant classic
Tough one
That's a very tough one to take for Dmitry Bivol, who genuinely though he'd done enough to clinch it. He boxed beautifully and he can be proud of himself.
History
Artur Beterbiev is now the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. He is the first undisputed champion of the division since Roy Jones Jr in 2002.
Artur Beterbiev beats Dmitry Bivol by majority decision
Artur Beterbiev gets a razor thin decision from the judges!
One judged scored it 114-114, while the other two went 115-113 and 116-12 in Beterbiev's favour. As I mentioned, the judges clearly preferred his aggression.
"That was epic"
Former world middleweight champion Darren Barker on DAZN: "What a fantastic contest that was. We saw a bit of everything there for all the marbles in the division. That was epic!"
He's not wrong.
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
Eddie Hearn is jumping around in the crowd, he thinks his man Dmitry Bivol has done enough. It's so subjective - do you prefer the accuracy and precision of Bivol or the relentless busy pressure of Artur Beterbiev.
The judges will decide.
"I still think the draw is on the table here," says the DAZN commentator.
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol - Round 12
These three minutes could define either one of these man's careers.
Artur Beterbiev doesn't waste any time in searching for a knockout, but he's yet to land anything of substance. Remember, Beterbiev has never gone the distance in his professional career.
60 seconds left on the clock and Beterbiev is throwing the kitchen sink at Bivol, who wisely clinches to slow things down.
The pair have a messy final seconds as the bell goes and Bivol runs to hug his corner. He thinks he's done enough as Beterbiev looks pensive in his corner.
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol - Round 11
It's the championship rounds here, folks and Bivol has the advantage. Even Artur Beterbiev's corner accepts that and have told his man that he requires a knockout.
He comes out with bad intentions but Bivol manages to land a good series of punches of his own. Will he regret that flurry of punches? He slows down as Beterbiev connects with some mean body shots.
Bivol showing real signs of fatigue here. Can he survive one round and clinch this undisputed title?
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol - Round 10
Still incredibly tight but a few of the pundits have the scorecards in favour of Dmitry Bivol. And he continues to rise to the occasion with a one-two to the body and head.
As we've seen throughout the night, Beterbiev returns with pressure and some decent late shots but Bivol's defence has been amazing tonight.
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol - Round 9
Four rounds remaining, folks. This fight is still well up for grabs with both fighters priced at 10/11 with the bookies.
Dmitry Bivol is somehow keeping his composure with some great 'upstairs, downstairs' attacks that give Artur Beterbiev something to think about. Another round for Bivol, who's paced himself wonderfully tonight.