Eddie Hearn wants boxing judge banned for life after Dmitry Bivol loss | Boxing | Sport

Eddie Hearn lashed out at the boxing judges and wants one banned for life after Dmitry Bivol was “robbed” of victory over Artur Beterbiev on a contentious evening in Riyadh.

Beterbiev emerged as the undisputed light-heavyweight champion on Saturday night, securing a majority decision from the judges.

The 39-year-old unified the WBA title with his existing IBF, WBC, and WBO titles after the judges scored the bout 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 in his favour.

Hearn, Bivol’s promoter, was incensed by the scoring, especially by Polish judge Pawel Kardyni’s 116-112 card for Beterbiev.

In a heated interview with TNT Sports post-fight, Hearn exclaimed: “I don’t want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev they’re two of the greatest fighters of our generation.

“But you saw the body language, they were in the corner, they knew they’d lost the fight! 116-112! They gave Dmitry Bivol four rounds! This is a joke!

“I struggled to find anybody on our row, the row behind, the TV rows, who didn’t score the fight to Dmitry Bivol. To find a judge who gave it 116-112 and give Dmitry Bivol four rounds in that fight this judge should never work in this sport again. I’m sorry.

“It was a 7-5 or 8-4 fight to Dmitry Bivol! He was cruising and he gave up a few rounds at the end. They knew they were saying to him (Beterbiev): ‘You have to knock him out to win the fight’. He (Bivol) was robbed of the undisputed championship tonight!”

At the press conference, Hearn didn’t hold back, adding: “They’re both incredible fighters, but I find it sickening that, after a lifetime of hard work, Dmitry Bivol is not undisputed champion tonight.

“Everything you’re going to get out of Dmitry will be ‘I can do better, it’s boxing, I take the judge’s scorecard’ but I don’t buy it because you don’t deserve that after that performance. It was an absolute boxing masterclass.

“It was the perfect performance. You know what? He can be better, but that was a show of pure concentration, with skill and defence and offence thrown in.”

Beterbiev reacted to DAZN: “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.”

Promoter Frank Warren concurred with Hearn, telling DAZN: “I gave it to Bivol by a couple of rounds. I thought it was a 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.”