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Eddie Hearn went on a huge rant after Dmitry Bivol was edged by Artur Beterbiev on the judges’ scorecards.
The Matchroom Boxing promoter sat ringside to watch his charge Bivol settle the scores with light-heavyweight rival Beterbiev in an enthralling encounter in Saudi Arabia.
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It was a simply sensational war of attrition with the boxing world captivated as the pair did battle over twelve gruelling and tightly contested rounds.
Unfortunately for Bivol, it was Beterbiev who was crowned the undisputed king with two of the three scorecards seeing the fight in his favour at 115-113 and 116-112.
The boxing world reacted in different ways to the judges’ verdict, but Hearn was one of those who did not agree with the decision.
He insisted that the 116-112 card in particular was impossible to reach, and claimed the judge should never officiate the sport again.
Hearn said during a lively interview: “In one of the biggest fights of our generation, the most important fight of Dmitry Bivol’s life, you give him four rounds?
“It’s disgusting. You heard Beterbiev’s corner in the 10th round: They told him he had to knock him out.
“Top Rank knew he’d lost. I’m absolutely baffled and disgusted. I don’t want to disrespect Artur Beterbiev…
“That judge should never work again. Four rounds [to Bivol] in a fight of this magnitude is disgusting.”
Rival promoter Frank Warren concurred, adding: “I gave it to Bivol by a couple of rounds.
“I thought it was close fight but there is now way that score of 8-4.
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“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.”
Hearn later went on to TNT Sports and added in another interview: ““Listen, I don’t wanna disrespect Beterbiev. But you saw the body language, they knew they’d lost the fight.
“116-112 Beterbiev?! You gave Bivol four rounds?! This is a joke. Of course [we want a rematch], he was robbed of the undisputed championship tonight.”
It was an incredible fight and one that left boxing fans salivating at the prospect of the pair sharing twelve rounds for a second time.
A sequel will likely be ordered in the coming weeks, but it is unclear if all of the undisputed titles will be on the line.
One thing is clear and that is that both warriors left it all in the ring, and delivered a world-class show of boxing skills and heart.
Both fighters declared that they would be open to a rematch after the final bell, particularly Bivol who may feel aggrieved.
He ultimately prevented Beterbiev from maintaining his frightening 100 per cent KO record.
In the meantime the new four-belt champion will celebrate his glory, which sees him reigning as the first undisputed king of the division since Roy Jones Jr vacated his crown in 2002.