The IBF has ordered Artur Beterbiev to start negotiating a mandatory defence of his world title against Germany’s Michael Eifert – but would consider an exception if he wants to rematch Dmitry Bivol.
Bivol’s legal team have sent a request to the IBF – and boxing’s other governing bodies – for a rematch after Saturday’s controversial split-decision defeat to new undisputed light-heavyweight champion Beterbiev in Riyadh.
And the IBF has confirmed to Sky Sports that its board of directors would consider an exception request from Beterbiev, despite ordering negotiations for a mandatory defence earlier this week.
Another option for Beterbiev would be to relinquish the IBF belt – as Oleksandr Usyk did in June ahead of his rematch with Tyson Fury – and fight Bivol again for the remaining titles, but the latest development keeps alive the possibility of another contest for the undisputed crown.
Beterbiev edged out Bivol on a majority decision to win the undisputed light-heavyweight world championship after 12 rounds of boxing at the highest level.
That result saw Beterbiev unify Bivol’s WBA title with the IBF, WBO and WBC championships he already held.
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Dmitry Bivol insists on a rematch against Artur Beterbiev as it remains his dream to be the undisputed champion.
Following the contentious fight, Bivol quickly called for a rematch.
“If I have this chance of course I would like to fight again,” he said.
But, defeated for the first time in his professional career, he declined to dwell on the result of Saturday’s fight. “I don’t think about did I win or did I lose,” Bivol said. “I have to do everything perfect.
“From my side I’m trying to do everything perfect, everything amazing. But I didn’t.
“I’m trying to forget about it and move forward now.”
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Eddie Hearn was adamant that Dmitry Bivol should have won the fight against Artur Beterbiev and believes there has to be a rematch.
Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn is convinced his fighter merited that decision.
“Dmitry Bivol should be undisputed champion,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “He deserves it. It was a boxing masterclass.
“You don’t deserve to work your whole life to get to that moment, perform like that and get it taken away.
“To give Dmitry Bivol four rounds of that 12-round fight – that judge should never work again.
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Anthony Yarde may not agree with the 116 to 112 scoring from the Beterbiev Bivol fight, but he agrees Beterbiev deserved to win.
“No disrespect to Beterbiev because he’s a tremendous fighter, and I loved that fight, it was like the ultimate boxing fight. I was just fascinated by it.
“They told him, on the broadcast, in the 10th round: ‘You have to knock him out to win this fight’.
“So let’s see the rematch.”
Adam Azim will fight Ohara Davies at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday October 19, live on Sky Sports. Stream boxing and more with NOW