Dmitry Bivol’s ex-wife Ekaterina has publicly celebrated Artur Beterbiev beating him on Saturday night to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Beterbiev became the first undisputed light heavyweight champion of the four-cushion era and the division’s first undisputed champion since Roy Jones Jr in 2002, after defeating Bivol on points.
Beterbiev, who had eliminated all his opponents before Saturday evening, was swept over the line, with one judge scoring it 114-114, while the other two went 115-113 and 116-12 in Beterbiev’s favor.
Ekaterina, who is embroiled in a highly publicized split from Bivol, took to social media to voice her support for Beterbiev after the fight, a move that has stunned many in the boxing world.
The former couple’s divorce, which was finalized last year, was marked by a series of allegations from Ekaterina, who accused Bivol of emotional abuse and controlling behavior during their marriage.
Dmitry Bivol’s ex-wife Ekaterina has publicly celebrated Artur Beterbiev beating him on Saturday to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Beterbiev pictured Saturday night holding the undisputed light heavyweight belt
Ekaterina has been outspoken about their personal issues and often takes to social media to air grievances, which have cast a shadow on Bivol’s otherwise stellar boxing career.
Ekaterina took to social media after the fight to congratulate Beterbiev and celebrate Bivol’s loss. She allegedly said, “Karma caught up with this motherfucker.” Arthur, I’m happy for you. Now my job is with the court.’
She reportedly further added, “F***, honestly, that’s what you deserve. You got scared. Karma reached Bivol. Go fuck yourself. No, honestly, go fuck yourself. I was right.’
Bivol and his former partner shared a marriage of more than 10 years, tying the knot in October 2013 after falling for each other as youngsters.
Ekaterina – who also goes by Kate – first met her ex-husband on a flight in 2007, long before Bivol’s boxing career took off, and from there a romance began to blossom as the Russian fighter began to climb the ranks ranking.
The apparently loved-up couple had two boys together, Miron and Nikon, and seemed to be the ideal nuclear family before announcing they were splitting last year amid domestic violence allegations.
In the fight, Beterbiev emerged victorious via majority decision, uniting the divisions and solidifying his status as undisputed light heavyweight champion.
Bivol’s ex-wife Ekaterina (left) claims to have revealed ‘secrets about her husband’s injuries
Bivol was devastated after the loss but refused to make any excuses in his post-fight interview
Ekaterina Bivol publicly claimed that her husband beat her, told her to have an abortion and was almost killed by her mother-in-law, all in separate Instagram updates.
‘And this is how this ended… MY DAD TOLD I HIT MYSELF!!!! You are all scum!! DAD PREVENTED ME [FROM GOING] to the police… May 3, 2023. The children have seen everything!’ she posted online at the time.
‘And this is me, a hapless psychopath. After your mother played, I lost eight kilos in two weeks. Have you [feel] do you pity me, the mother of your children and grandchildren?’ Ekaterina added.
She later also voiced complaints about Bivol’s financial neglect of their children, stating that he only pays “$1,100 a month for both children” after Ekaterina was awarded custody.
Bivol or his camp have yet to issue an update following last year’s allegations.
In another social media post, Ekaterina backed his opponent, Beterbiev, to claim ultimate glory, and tried to provide him with inside information in an attempt to help him.
“I want to tell you everything I know: he has a stress fracture of a vertebra in his back, all his hands have been operated on and not just once, one elbow for sure, very painful knees, his left ear is constantly swelling,” Ekaterina wrote.
Ekaterina shared a photo of injuries she said her ex-husband had inflicted on her
Bivol and his ex-wife share two children during their marriage, Nikon (left) and Miron
‘It has been broken many times and fluid has often built up in his eye, which sometimes prevents him from seeing properly. But most importantly, he’s a coward! We need your victory, Arthur.”
In the aftermath of the fight, attention will now shift to the future of Bivol’s career and whether a rematch with Beterbiev will take place.