Boxing fans are fuming after the IBF ordered Artur Beterbiev to defend his undisputed light heavyweight title against Michael Eifert, putting a potential rematch with Dmitry Bivol on hold. Beterbiev recently unified the division after a controversial decision win over Bivol, where he added the WBA title to his collection of WBO, WBC, and IBF belts.
The split scorecards - 114-114, 115-113, and a highly debated 116-112 - sparked outrage, especially the 116-112 card, which many felt shortchanged Bivol. Even Eddie Hearn, who promoted Bivol, called it "disgusting" and questioned the integrity of the judge involved. "They knew Artur Beterbiev lost this fight. I’m absolutely baffled and disgusted by that scorecard," Hearn said.
Bivol's camp, led by manager Vadim Kornilov, immediately filed an appeal with the sanctioning bodies, demanding a rematch. While fans hoped for an instant rematch to settle the score, the IBF's order for Beterbiev to face mandatory challenger Michael Eifert puts those hopes in jeopardy. Bivol may now have to wait or take a stay-busy fight while Beterbiev fulfills his obligation.
Some fans see a possible step-aside deal in the works, allowing Beterbiev to move forward with the rematch after compensating Eifert. Others fear Beterbiev could vacate his title, complicating Bivol's quest for undisputed status. Either way, this development is a bitter pill for fans who feel robbed of seeing a clean, decisive conclusion to the Beterbiev vs. Bivol rivalry.
This isn’t the first time the IBF has disrupted an undisputed showdown. A similar situation unfolded when Oleksandr Usyk faced Tyson Fury for the heavyweight crown, only for the IBF to enforce a mandatory defense, leading to Usyk vacating the title.
So, fans are left frustrated once again, as boxing’s complex sanctioning body politics continue to get in the way of the fights we really want to see.
Read full Beterbiev-Bivol results here.
Image Credit: DAZN