Boxing

DMITRY BIVOL’S ex-wife wildy celebrated his controversial defeat to Artur Beterbiev by boasting “karma reached the idiot”.Bivol thought he had done enough to be crowned undisputed light-heavyweight world champion on Saturday night.Artur Beterbiev snatched victory over Dmitry Bivol in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyBivol’s ex-wife celebrated the result on a live streamCredit: XHowever, the judges gave the victory to Beterbiev via a majority decision that caused uproar among many in boxing.But one woman was utterly delighted with the outcome.Ekaterina Bivol hosted a live stream of her reaction to the fight and waited with bated breath to see if her ex-husband had suffered his first professional defeat.Then when the result was confirmed, Kate made no attempt to hide her sheer delight and joy.READ MORE ON BOXINGClapping, she excitedly said: “Artur, Artur, yes! God, God thank you. Artur, I congratulate you.”Because karma reached Bivol. “F***, for real, you deserved it, idiot.”Did you get scared? Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I gave 16 years of my life.”Go to your Marmar.”Fabio Wardley destroys Frazer Clarke as he mangles opponents jaw in astonishing first round KOThat appears to be a reference to viral influencer Marmar Al Hilali, who has 1.4million Instagram followers and Kate claims Bivol has been dating.Ekaterina – who put her own Instagram account on private on Sunday morning – then suggested to her friend that it was time to celebrate the result, adding: “We’re going to a restaurant but you’re paying.”Before the fight, Kate threw her support behind Bivol’s opponent Beterbiev.And she even appeared to expose her former partner’s alleged injuries and weak spots on the eve of the fight to try to give Beterbiev the edge.She wrote “everything I know” before going into details, then added: “But the main thing is that he is a coward! We need your victory, Artur.”Bivol and Ekaterina were married for a decade, with the teenage sweethearts tying the knot in October 2013 – six years after meeting on a flight. They had two sons together but announced their acrimonious split last year as they filed for divorce. Many boxing fans and experts believed Bivol was “robbed” by the judges, who scored the fight in Saudi Arabia 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112 to Beterbiev. Even the victor’s own camp appeared to think he was on course to lose, telling him he had to go for the knockout in the late stages. Bivol’s gutted promotor Eddie Hearn let rip at the result – and cited the victor’s camp’s comments in the corner as evidence.It’s absolutely disgusting. They knew Artur Beterbiev lost this fight. I’m absolutely baffled.Eddie HearnHearn said: “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. They knew Artur Beterbiev lost this fight. I’m absolutely baffled and disgusted by a scorecard of 116-112.”Even Beterbiev admitted he was “lucky” to win the fight but insisted the comments from his camp were standard practice.He said: “They always say that.”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.”However, some eagle-eyed fans suggested Beterbiev was always going to win after spotting Ramzan Kadyrov in the ring when the 39-year-old was announced as champion.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe congratulated Beterbiev and posed for a photo with his arm around him.Kadyrov is a controversial figure due to his close connection with Vladimir Putin and has been dubbed the Russian President’s “warlord pal” and “attack dog”, coming under intense criticism for alleged human rights abuses that include disappearances, kidnapping, torture and assassination.Ekaterina boasted that ‘karma’ caught up with her ex-husbandCredit: XShe vowed to go out to celebrate after her X-rated blast at BivolCredit: XBivol thought he had done enough to be crowned undisputed championCredit: GettyThe couple met on a flight and were married for a decade until their 2023 divorceCredit: Instagram @bivol_kateThey had two children together before their bitter splitCredit: Instagram @bivol_kateKadyrov was ringside to support Beterbiev More

THE proposed date for the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois rematch has been revealed.Dubois, 27, stunned AJ at Wembley last month.Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua are set for a 2025 rematch after their September Wembley showdownCredit: PAHis monster right hand emphatically downed the Watford man in the fifth round.And that ensured he kept hold of his IBF world title and wrecked Joshua’s dream of a spring blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury.But AJ looks set to get a shot at revenge with a repeat of the all-British dust-up next year.And Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh told fans to mark their calendars because there is a provisional date in the diary for the rematch.READ MORE ON BOXINGHe revealed at the controversial Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol fight night that the plan is for Joshua vs Dubois 2 to take place on February 22, 2025.The date is only tentatively pencilled in at this stage. The other thing yet to be decided is the location.Wembley hosted the initial bout but many expect the second version to be held in the Saudi desert.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFour of AJ’s 32 fights have been in Saudi Arabia – including his rematches with Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk.Dubois, meanwhile, beat both Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.Anthony Joshua brutally told his career is ‘OVER’ as boxing promoter suggests final ‘good’ fight after Dubois KO When previously discussing the Joshua vs Dubois rematch, AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn said: “I think it would be part of Riyadh Season in Riyadh. Riyadh Season runs from October to end of February, early March.”So anything within that period takes place in Riyadh. So yeah, it would be part of Riyadh Season if it were to happen.”There was a suggestion that the rematch could be pushed back after the IBF ordered a fight between Agit Kabayel and Martin Bakole to decide who will become the heavyweight challenger to Dubois.The fighters were told this week to make their availability known in the coming days, and there is even a chance the bout could take place before the end of the year.However, it seems the IBF could sanction the AJ-Dubois rematch before ordering Dubois to face his mandatory challenger.Dynamite Dan, meanwhile, will be keeping a close eye on the Usyk vs Fury rematch in December – knowing he could battle to be undisputed heavyweight champ next year. Dubois secured a fifth-round knockout to keep hold of the IBF beltCredit: GettyTurki Alalshikh will want to host the rematch in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty More

FRAZER CLARKE will undergo an operation to repair his jaw and cheekbone.Clarke, 33, suffered a brutal first-round knockout at the hands of Fabio Wardley in the Saudi Arabia rematch last night.Frazer Clarke will have surgery on his jaw and cheekboneCredit: GettyThe Brit was knocked out in devastating fashion by Fabio WardleyCredit: GettyA huge hit from Wardley crashed into Clarke’s jaw, seemingly putting it out of place, while there was a sizeable dent in the side of his head.Big Fraze was tended to by medics inside the ring once it was waved off by the referee and he was rushed to hospital.Frank Warren later confirmed the beaten fighter had suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone, explaining the dent in his head.And now it has been announced he will have surgery to fix the damage to his face.READ MORE ON BOXINGWardley, though, was delighted with his emphatic performance following the pair’s previous draw in April.He beamed: “I know that once I hurt someone, I can get rid of them.“I had a few issues for the first fight but I got rid of them, had a gameplan and executed it.“I learned enough from the first fight to know I had enough to beat him properly. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“I can’t help it, it’s my name; War by name War by nature.“I want belts and titles next, these domestic ones are great but I want the ones that have ‘world’ written on them.”Fabio Wardley destroys Frazer Clarke as he mangles opponents jaw in astonishing first round KOClarke, who had started well before being tumbled by his rival, was not the only British boxer to end up hospitalised in Riyadh on Saturday night.Ben Whittaker was rolled away in a wheelchair and taken to hospital after tumbling out of the ring by his opponent Liam Cameron.The farcical WWE-style scenes turned serious when Whittaker stayed down and injured his right leg.And with the Surgeon unable to carry on, the fight was stopped early – with Whittaker escaping from what looked on course to be a major upset.The judges had it 58-57 Whittaker, 58-57 Cameron and 58-58 at the time – meaning it ended in a technical draw. Following the fight, Cameron said: “He [Whittaker] had nothing left. The kid was knackered from round two. “I definitely beat him. I don’t get a fair share [in fights]. What more do I have to do?READ MORE SUN STORIES”Never had a promotional deal in my life and I tried my best to win that today and I think I deserved the win.”Asked if he thought Whittaker was looking for a way out, he said: “Yeah. 100 per cent. You can see it on camera. I don’t want to be critical of him.”Clarke was under the pump and did not reach the end of the first roundCredit: GettyWardley kept hold of his belts and will be eyeing a world-title fightCredit: GettyBen Whittaker’s fight was stopped early after he tumbled out of the ring and hurt his legCredit: Getty More

ARTUR BETERBIEV was told “you have to knock him out” by his own corner – just minutes before beating Dmitry Bivol on points.Beterbiev slugged it out with his fellow Russian in Riyadh on Saturday night in their light-heavyweight world title showdown.Artur Beterbiev got a controversial win over Dmitry Bivol in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyBeterbiev’s own team appeared to tell their man he needed to get a knockoutIt looked as though Bivol was on his way to securing the belts with most viewers having him far enough ahead on their own scorecards.And even Beterbiev’s team appeared to agree that their man was behind in the latter stages.So much so that it is understood they were telling the 39-year-old veteran that he had to go for broke to stop Bivol inside the 12 rounds in order to maintain his unbeaten record and become undisputed champ.However, Beterbiev could not secure the knockout as the final bell sounded and it came down to the judges’ scorecards.READ MORE BOXING NEWSAnd eyebrows were raised when it was controversially given to Beterbiev on a majority decision.One judge had it 114-114 but the others went with 115-113 and 116-112 to Beterbiev. Bivol’s gutted promotor Eddie Hearn let rip at the result – and cited the victor’s camp’s comments in the corner as evidence. Hearn said: “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? Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”It’s absolutely disgusting.”You heard in the tenth round ‘you have to knock him out to win this fight’.Fabio Wardley destroys Frazer Clarke as he mangles opponents jaw in astonishing first round KO”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.”Fans watching the fight on TV were also furious at the outcome.One said: “Beterbiev’s corner last two rounds, ‘You have to knock him out,’ implying they know they are going to lose. And then there goes that judge with his 116-112 scorecard. It’s just indefensible.”Another wrote: “In the ninth and tenth rounds, Arthur’s corner kept telling him ‘you have to knock him out’ – that basically means you are losing and you have to put his a** to sleep.”A third added: “There’s no bigger Beterbiev fan than me and that was one of the worst robberies I’ve ever seen in boxing. That’s insane.”A fourth commented: “Can’t call it a robbery when it’s close, but Bivol deserved to win. He killed the threat of Beterbiev, and schooled him in some moments. There’s a reason Beterbievs’ corner told him ‘you have to knock him out’ in the last rounds…”And a final user fumed: “F*** BOXING. Bivol has just produced one of the best 12-round performances I’ve ever seen and won that fight easily it’s an absolute robbery. 116-112 to Beterbiev is the worst card of all time.”Today I am luckyArtur BeterbievEven Beterbiev admitted he was “lucky” to win the fight.But he did respond to the accusations of his corner’s comments about needing a knockout.The champ insisted that is just their standard practice for the man who had won all 20 of his previous professional bouts by knockout. Beterbiev said: “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 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. READ MORE SUN STORIES”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.”Many fans believed Bivol did enough to claim the winCredit: GettyBeterbiev maintained his unbeaten record and was crowned undisputed light-heavyweight champCredit: GettyBivol looked utterly gutted as he processed his first defeatCredit: GettyAn angry Eddie Hearn let rip at the judgesCredit: Getty More

FANS have slammed Artur Beterbiev’s controversial win over Dmitry Bivol as “rigged” after spotting who was sat ringside.Beterbiev is now the undisputed light-heavyweight champion after beating his Russian compatriot by majority decision.The controversial figure is seen mixing with Artur Beterbiev’s campThe duo posed for a photo in the ring after his victory was announcedBeterbiev won via a majority decisionCredit: GettyRamzan Kadyrov is Vladimir Putin’s ‘warlord’Credit: ReutersFans were left stunned at the result as many thought Bivol had done enough to retain his WBC, IBF and WBO belts.Yet the judges scored the bout 114-114, 115-113 and 116-12 in Beterbiev’s favour.Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn labelled the decision “absolutely disgusting” and viewers called it a “robbery”.But conspiracy theorists are convinced they know why Beterbiev got the win.READ MORE IN BOXINGEagle-eyed supporters noticed that Ramzan Kadyrov was in the ring when the 39-year-old was announced as champion.He is seen congratulating Beterbiev and posing for a photo with his arm around him.Kadyrov is a controversial figure due to his close connection with Vladimir Putin.He has been dubbed the Russian President’s “warlord pal” and “attack dog”.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKadyrov is currently the head of the Chechen Republic.Over the years, he has come under intense criticism for alleged human rights abuses that include disappearances, kidnapping, torture and assassination. SunSport’s boxing reporter Wally Downes Jr left shocked with Wardley’s devastating KOKadyrov has also publicly called for women’s public lives to be restricted and led anti-gay purges in Chechnya that activists say see homosexuals imprisoned and tortured. When fans saw him next to Beterbiev, one said: “Bivol had no chance.”Another added: “When I saw him, I knew there was no way they would let Beterbiev lose.”A third commented: “Rigged sport.”Who is Ramzan Kadyrov?VLADIMIR Putin’s Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov has been a staunch supporter of the war in Ukraine.The former separatist rebel fought against the Russians in the First Chechen War, only to change sides and join Moscow in the second conflict in 1999.Human rights groups say he personally oversees the torture of political opponents in secret dungeons and runs death squads known as “Kadyrovites”.Ramzan Kadyrov was born in Chechnya in 1976, and like many men of his generation has lived a life largely defined by two brutal wars that ripped through the republic in the 1990s and 2000s.In the first Chechen war of 1994 to 1996, he fought alongside his father, Akhmad Kadyrov, for the Chechen separatist cause.But in 1999, after Mr Putin launched the second Chechen war to restore Russian control over the break away republic, the Kadyrovs changed sides.Akhmad was subsequently installed as the pro-Russian president of the republic.When he was assassinated in 2004, the baton of pro-Russian leadership passed to his stocky son.The tracksuit wearing bodybuilder was not an obvious politician after being backed by Putin, he quickly become one of the most powerful men in Russia.But as he has grown more powerful, he has become an increasingly divisive figure in Russian politics.To supporters, he is a Russian patriot who has brought peace to a war ravaged region, presided over unprecedented post-war recovery and reconstruction.To his enemies  he is a turn-coat rebel who has turned Chechnya into his personal fiefdom where Russian law doesn’t apply, and who has used terror and murder to crush not only the separatist Islamist insurgency, but political rivals, human rights activists, and domestic dissenters. More

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.Artur Beterbiev became the undisputed unified light heavyweight champion of the world after edging out Dmitry BivolCredit: GettyBivol, left, finally crossed gloves with Beterbiev, rightCredit: GettyBeterbiev put on a clinic to try and slowly dismantle BivolCredit: GettyBut Bivol kept his rival honest by racking up smart points throughoutCredit: GettyBivol was left disappointed after his narrow defeatCredit: GettyAnd 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.Both magnificent amateurs prodded and poked in the opening two minutes and fifty seconds.Then they just as the wooden toll signalled the final 10, then plunged at each other and both landed heavy precise blows.READ MORE IN BOXINGBeterbiev looped in a right hook but the 33-year-old tagged back with a one-two counter.Bivol’s viper-like jab helped him take control of the second round when Beterbiev kept cutting the ring down and pushing the pace but not landing any flush punches.Bivol’s matador impression was masterful, his one-twos were crisp and his footwork made the bearded bull look basic at times.The first two minutes were always cagey and tactical but the final minute always seemed to be a gunfight and the third was not different.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBy the fourth round it felt like Bivol was recreating his Canelo clinic from 2022, inviting pressure on from the smaller, more spiteful man. But punishing it on the backfoot with precision and speed.Beterbiev’s constant pressure and bludgeoning blows earned him the fifth round when Bivol was clipped and had to dance out of the ring to avoid disaster.Fabio Wardley destroys Frazer Clarke as he mangles opponents jaw in astonishing first round KORound six was when he felt like Bivol was starting to drown in the desert. Wave after wave of Beterbiev attack seemed to be smothering him and filling his lungs with water when he was desperate for air.But even though he surrendered the centre of the ring for all of the first six rounds, he was still pinging counters in off the ropes and scoring.Bivol dared to be great in the seventh, but courage in the squared circle creates openings for your opponent and Beterbiev didn’t need asking twice..The WBA boss unleashed eye-catching and point-scoring blows but Beterbiev saw those as an invitation to attack and seemed to wobble his former Team Russian amateur understudy.Both men took the technical decision to do very little work in the first two minutes, sometimes they would only really engage in the final 30 seconds.It was the same in round eight when they waited until the last knockings to blow their energy and most spiteful shots.But it seemed to be Bivol who was banking rounds with regular flurries more successful than occasional blows.Round nine might have been Bivol’s best. He seemed so at home and comfortable in the most uncomfortable position imaginable. He was the sole prey of a violent Chechen KO artist who was chasing him around the ring. But he had the skill and psychological strength to make it look, at times, like a sparring session.Bivol had his chin checked at the start of the tenth, by a thudding right hand. And his heart and lungs at the end of the stanza. But every inch of his anatomy was getting full marks.Bivol was boxing beautifully in the penultimate round until a right hand around the back of the ear’ole knocked him out of his rhythm but not off his course to four-belt glory.Beterbiev hounded and pounded him but he absorbed and ran and even had the audacity to fire back.Round 12 was the Soviet slugfest we needed to end the week and the rivalry.READ MORE SUN STORIESBoth men when hammer and nail and when Bivol was still standing at the end, he knew he had done enough and began his deserved celebrations, for taming the Beast from the East, with supreme style and courage.But sickening and sad scoring ruined a magnificent fight and occasional and is a massive stain on Saudi’s new sponsoring of boxing. More