In one of the most controversial decisions of the year, Artur Beterbiev secured a win against Dmitry Bivol in their highly anticipated light heavyweight showdown. While Beterbiev’s victory was met with cheers from some, many in the boxing world were left in shock, calling the decision a “robbery.” Fighters and fans alike took to social media to express their discontent with the outcome, adding fuel to an already heated debate.

From the moment the bell rang, the fight between Beterbiev and Bivol was a tense back-and-forth battle. Beterbiev, known for his relentless pressure and knockout power, continually pushed forward, trying to break down Bivol’s defenses. On the other side, Bivol showcased his technical mastery, utilizing footwork and sharp counterpunches to keep Beterbiev at bay.

Round after round, the bout remained competitive, with each fighter having moments of success. Bivol’s crisp combinations and defensive skills seemed to frustrate Beterbiev, who struggled at times to land his signature power shots cleanly. However, as the rounds progressed, Beterbiev’s aggression and ability to close the distance left many wondering if his power would eventually overwhelm Bivol.

When the final bell rang, most expected a close decision, with many believing Bivol had done enough to outbox his opponent. However, the judges ruled in favor of Beterbiev, leaving a large portion of the boxing community stunned.

As soon as the decision was announced, social media erupted with reactions from some of the sport’s biggest names. Fighters from all weight classes chimed in, expressing disbelief and frustration at the outcome. The term “robbery” quickly became the dominant narrative.

Welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford was one of the first to speak up, tweeting:
“I had Bivol winning that. He boxed smart, controlled the pace. Gotta feel for him, that decision was tough.”
Crawford’s tweet echoed the sentiments of many fans, who felt Bivol had outboxed Beterbiev for the majority of the fight.

Lightweight star Ryan Garcia didn’t hold back, calling the decision a robbery outright:
“Bivol got robbed. Straight up. How can you give that fight to Beterbiev?!”
Garcia’s comment was retweeted thousands of times, reflecting the widespread belief that Bivol had done enough to win.

Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney also weighed in, stating:
“I thought Bivol won. It was close, but he outboxed him. Gotta run it back, no doubt.”
Haney’s analysis pointed to the technical aspects of Bivol’s performance, highlighting the skills that many felt should have earned him the victory.

The criticism didn’t stop there. Many other fighters, including Jermell Charlo, Shakur Stevenson, and Teofimo Lopez, added their voices to the conversation, with most agreeing that Bivol was unfairly treated by the judges. Charlo tweeted: “Bivol was robbed! This is why people get frustrated with boxing decisions.” Meanwhile, Lopez kept it simple with “They gotta fix this. Bivol won.”

The term “robbery” gets thrown around a lot in boxing, but was this really one? While the fight was undeniably close, with both fighters having their moments, many experts felt Bivol’s cleaner punches and superior ring generalship should have been enough to secure the win. His ability to neutralize Beterbiev’s power and dictate the pace for long stretches of the fight left many believing he had outclassed his opponent.

That said, Beterbiev’s aggression and constant pressure undoubtedly won him rounds, especially in the eyes of the judges. The debate over whether the decision was fair will likely continue, but what’s clear is that the fight was much closer than the reaction suggests.

With the controversy surrounding the fight, a rematch seems like the natural next step. Bivol, no doubt frustrated by the decision, will likely push for another chance to prove himself against Beterbiev. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but the demand from both fans and fighters for a second meeting is undeniable.

For Beterbiev, the victory, while tainted by controversy, solidifies his standing as one of the most feared fighters in the division. However, he will need to address the criticisms of his performance if he hopes to retain his status at the top of the light heavyweight rankings.

The Beterbiev vs. Bivol fight will go down as one of the most controversial bouts in recent memory. While Beterbiev walks away with the victory, the widespread backlash from the boxing community suggests that the story is far from over. With calls for a rematch growing louder, fans will be eager to see if Bivol can get the redemption many believe he deserves.