Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch in huge doubt as major decision on undisputed champ’s next fight announced

A HUGE spanner has perchance been thrown into the works of a rematch betwixt Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The Russian duo went to warfare for each the light-heavyweight marbles successful a memorable Riyadh rumble past weekend.

Chechen clubber Beterbiev was crowned the undisputed king of 175-pounders aft 12 gruelling rounds, though galore judge helium was talented the decision.

Boxing fans astir the satellite called for an contiguous rematch pursuing Beterbiev's coronation, which came courtesy of 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112 scorecards.

But the IBF person thrown a spanner into the works of what would beryllium different mouthwatering affair.

The American sanctioning assemblage has ruled that Beterbiev MUST combat the mandatory challenger for his reddish strap next.

They person ordered the 39-year-old to combat 13-1 German Michael Eifert.

Under IBF regulations, Beterbiev volition person to scope a woody to look Eifert wrong 30 days oregon hazard being stripped of the belt.

So a imaginable rematch with Bivol, who has submitted an entreaty implicit the result, apt WON'T beryllium an undisputed affair.

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There are parallels with the quandary Oleksandr Usyk recovered himself successful aft winning his undisputed heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury successful May.

Usyk, however, opted against rematching mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois and vacated the belt.

Former IBO and WBA light-heavyweight king Bivol was crestfallen aft proceeding seasoned announcer Michael Buffer denote Beterbiev arsenic the victor of their showdown.

He told Sky Sports: "I consciousness bare emotionally now. I went to the ringing lone to triumph this combat but I don't person my belt."

When pressed connected a imaginable rematch, helium added: "If I person this accidental of people I would similar to combat again."

Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh believes Bivol was denied a wide triumph and volition bash everything successful his power to marque a rematch travel to fruition.

He told The Stomping Ground: "This was 1 of the large fights of the past 20 years I think.

"But I don't deliberation the effect was fair, successful my opinion.

"The 2 fighters are similar my brothers, but I deliberation Bivol won 2 rounds more.

"I volition absorption and I volition effort to bash the rematch. If they accept, we volition bash it.”