Common Sense? There is None in the IBF’s Threat to Strip Beterbiev
Frustration with the IBF Beterbiev, who has been relatively quiet, indicated he is willing to face Bivol again. Meanwhile, Bivol’s camp has been vocal about their belief that they were wronged in the scoring. They even petitioned the IBF for a rematch, creating a rare consensus among fans and experts. However, this agreement was short-lived as the IBF quickly shifted the narrative, insisting that Beterbiev must fight Eifert, a fighter with limited recognition.
The boxing world is once again embroiled in controversy, and it’s largely due to the questionable decisions made by the International Boxing Federation (IBF). An old adage about the sport holds true: the only thing killing boxing is boxing itself. The IBF's latest move, announced this week, adds to its reputation as the "Irrelevant Boxing Federation," raising eyebrows and prompting frustrations among fans and fighters alike.
Beterbiev's Recent Victory
Artur Beterbiev recently claimed the undisputed light heavyweight title after defeating Dmitry Bivol in a controversial majority decision. Despite the contentious nature of the bout, where many claimed Bivol was robbed, the fight demanded a rematch. Most fans and analysts expected that a second clash was the logical next step. However, the IBF surprised everyone by threatening to strip Beterbiev of his title if he didn’t fight an unknown contender, Michael Eifert, instead.
Frustration with the IBF
Beterbiev, who has been relatively quiet, indicated he is willing to face Bivol again. Meanwhile, Bivol’s camp has been vocal about their belief that they were wronged in the scoring. They even petitioned the IBF for a rematch, creating a rare consensus among fans and experts. However, this agreement was short-lived as the IBF quickly shifted the narrative, insisting that Beterbiev must fight Eifert, a fighter with limited recognition.
In an age where the sport struggles with maintaining its relevance, the IBF's actions further distance itself from the public's interest. Eifert, with a record of 13-1, isn’t a name that excites fans. In fact, he’s largely unknown, similar to William Scull, who recently took the IBF's super middleweight title from Canelo Álvarez, another baffling decision by the organization.
Consequences of Poor Decisions
Stripping Canelo of his title removed a major draw for the IBF, and they may be on track to repeat that mistake with Beterbiev. The argument could be made that a champion should only be threatened with a title loss if they refuse to engage in a rematch with the rightful challenger, which in this case would be Bivol. Anything else signals a push toward obscurity for the IBF.
Upcoming Rematches and Boxing's Future
In more positive news, several rematches have been announced, including Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez set for December 7 in Phoenix. This card, titled “Scores 2 Settle,” will also feature Rafael Espinoza facing Robeisy Ramirez, following Espinoza's majority-decision victory over Ramirez last December. This event signifies a glimmer of hope for boxing’s future as it focuses on compelling matchups.
Ultimately, for the IBF and other governing bodies in boxing, common sense should prevail. They should prioritize the fighters and the fans by fostering exciting matchups rather than obscuring the sport with bureaucratic nonsense. If not, they risk pushing themselves further into irrelevancy.
