Weekend Review: Beterbiev wins controversial fight as Sinner trumps Djokovic

Beterbiev is the new Light Heavyweight Unified Champion on the same weekend Jannik Sinner made more history. 

Every weekend brings its drama, thrills and controversies if you are a sports fan, regardless of the sport you watch. 

Last weekend was no different as we witnessed another three days of incredible sports action across the globe. 

Although football took a break across Europe’s domestic league, national team games ensured that fans were not starved. 

The likes of England, Nigeria, Brazil, Italy and Spain were all in action over the weekend as the Nations League, World Cup qualifiers and international friendlies took centre stage. 

But football was not the only source of attraction for sports lovers.

With that said, Housebets takes a look at the biggest talking points from this weekend. 

Artur Beterbiev beats Dmitry Bivol in controversial fight 

The biggest sporting event of last weekend was arguably the unified light heavyweight fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. 

The two fighters put their unbeaten record on the line going into the fight, but more importantly, they were hoping to make history. 

It was a fight that lived up to expectations even though there was no knockout.

Beterbiev eventually managed to claim it the narrowest of margins, winning the fight via a majority decision. 

However, the decision sparked outrage on social media as many felt Bivol won the fight or earned a draw at least. 

In fairness, it looked like that while watching as Bivol landed his punches better.

The Russian showed great skill in the early rounds, catching his fellow Russian with some good punches. 

Although Beterbiev managed to regroup as the fight went on, taking the middle rounds going into the championship rounds. 

The championship rounds were split, but many felt Bivol had done just enough to edge it or at least earn a draw. 

But surprisingly, two judges saw it differently, scoring the fight 115-113, 116-112 in favour of Beterbiev, with the other judge scoring it a draw, 114-114. 

While it was indeed a difficult fight to score as it was a fight between the best, many felt the judge who gave Bivol four rounds out of 12 was incompetent. 

Nonetheless, it was indeed a fight of skills. Beterbiev was the aggressor, while Bivol was more defensive, knowing when to go on the front foot. 

The good news for boxing fans, however, is that both fighters welcomed an immediate rematch, meaning we could see the fight again next year. 

Sinner condemns Djokovic to another defeat

It was another defeat for Djokovic last weekend after he lost in straight sets to Jannik Sinner in the final of the Shanghai Masters. 

Djokovic came into the tournament having not played an ATP tennis match since he lost in the fourth round of the US Open. 

The Serbian has had a below-par year despite winning the singles Olympic gold medal, the only title missing from his collection. 

Going into the final, Djokovic was seeking to win his first ATP title of the year and his 100th singles title. 

However, it was never going to be easy he was facing the best player in the world this year in Sinner. 

Sinner was the world no. 1 and had won two grand slam titles this year, sharing it equally with Carlos Alcaraz. 

The first set was a competitive affair as neither player could earn the break, meaning it went to a tiebreak. 

Although Djokovic is the master when it comes to tiebreaks, it was Sinner who played the perfect game to take it, racing into a 4-0 lead before 7-6 (7-4). 

Sinner took to the momentum going into the set as he broke to take a 3-1 lead.

The world no. 1 never let go of that break as he went on to seal a  7-6 (7-4), 6-3 win, becoming the youngest Shanghai Masters winner.