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

The Russian duo went to war for all the light-heavyweight marbles in a memorable Riyadh rumble last weekend.

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Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol fought for all the light-heavyweight marbles in Riyadh last weekend[/caption]

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Bivol boxed beautifully and many thought he had the victory in the bag after the final round[/caption]

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But Beterbiev was controversially crowned the undisputed king of the light heavyweights[/caption]

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An immediate rematch for all the belts is in doubt as the IBF have ordered Beterbiev to fight his mandatory challenger next[/caption]

Chechen clubber Beterbiev was crowned the undisputed king of 175-pounders after 12 gruelling rounds, although many believe he was gifted the decision.

Boxing fans around the world called for an immediate rematch following Beterbiev’s coronation, which came courtesy of 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112 scorecards.

But the IBF have thrown a spanner into the works of what would be another mouthwatering affair.

The American sanctioning body has ruled that Beterbiev MUST fight the mandatory challenger for his red strap next.

They have ordered the 39-year-old to fight 13-1 German Michael Eifert.

Under IBF regulations, Beterbiev will have to reach a deal to face Eifert within 30 days or risk being STRIPPED of the belt.

So a potential rematch with Bivol, who has submitted an appeal over the result of last weekend’s bout, likely WON’T be an undisputed affair.

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Dmitry Bivol cut a crestfallen figure after the verdict was read out and is hoping to land an immediate rematch[/caption]

There are parallels with the quandary Oleksandr Usyk found himself in after winning his undisputed heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury in May.

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

Former IBO and WBA light-heavyweight king Bivol was crestfallen after hearing veteran announcer Michael Buffer announce Beterbiev as the winner of their showdown.

He told Sky Sports: “I feel empty emotionally now. I went to the ring only to win this fight but I don’t have my belt.”

When pressed on a potential rematch, he added: “If I have this chance of course I would like to fight again.”

Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh believes Bivol was denied a clear victory and will do everything in his power to make a rematch come to fruition.

He told The Stomping Ground: “This was one of the great fights of the last 20 years I think.

“But I don’t think the result was fair, in my opinion.

“The two fighters are like my brothers, but I think Bivol won two rounds more.

“I will focus and I will try to do the rematch. If they accept, we will do it.”

DANIEL FARKE brushed off wild claims that Jurgen Klopp could REPLACE him at Leeds United.

The ex-Liverpool manager was this week confirmed as Red Bull’s new head of global soccer.

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Daniel Farke has dismissed talk of Klopp joining Leeds[/caption]

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The compatriots are close frend[/caption]

Within hours a report in Germany stated that one of his first tasks was to keep a “close watch” on his compatriot at Leeds, the club Red Bull bought a minority stake in this year.

Farke has lost just one of the opening nine Championship games this term as he looks to go one better than last season’s play-off final defeat and return to the Premier League.

However, after the talk about Klopp and a far-fetched claim that he could perhaps even replace him, Farke insisted he had no concern that his friend would be observing him.

He said: “There are obviously a few Red Bull teams like in Leipzig, Salzburg, New York and so on.

“We are Leeds United and for that it is clear, he has a big impact on the Red Bull clubs and for us not that much.

“We are Leeds United and I think no one of our supporters would allow us to try and copy something or follow a similar philosophy.

“We are a pretty unique club and also have our own values, principles, philosophy, our own way that we want to play.

“As far as I know, this is exactly what the 49ers are standing for. They know how special this club is and they don’t want to copy someone else and for that, we will always be Leeds United.”

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Farke is looking to move level on points with second-placed Sheffield United tonight by beating them at Elland Road and bouncing back from the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser at Sunderland a fortnight ago.

The game will see his right-back Jayden Bogle face his former employers for the first time since leaving them for Leeds in the summer.

The 24-year-old said: “It will be an interesting one but I think we just need to make sure that we prepare well and, as I said before, use that fire from the last game going into this game to do the right job.

“It will be tough, just like when any team comes to Elland Road, they try and make it tough and difficult for us. But I think the main thing for us is to focus on ourselves and apply ourselves in the right way, work hard over the next few days in training and approach the game in the right way.”

XBOX has just held its Partner Preview featuring 15 games that will be coming to Xbox in late 2024 and early 2025.

Many of them were new Xbox game announcements, as well as extended trailers for games that were previously revealed.

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Wuchang: Fallen Feathers was the highlight of the showcase[/caption]

Most surprisingly there were two shadow drops, including one of the most highly-rated games of the year.

Here’s everything that was announced at the Xbox Partner Preview October 2024.

Out 2024

• Animal Well – out now 
• Blindfire – early access out now 
• Alan Wake 2: The Lake House DLC – October 22 
• Phasmophobia – October 29

Out 2025

• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – February 21, 2025 
• Wheel World – early 2025 *Game Pass 
• Eternal Strands – early 2025 *Game Pass 
• Cronos: The New Dawn – 2025 
• Mouse – PI for Hire – 2025 
• Edens Zero – 2025
• Mistfall Hunter – 2025
• The Legend of Baboo – 2025
• Wuchang Fallen Feathers – 2025 *Game Pass
• FBC Firebreak – 2025 *Game Pass 
• Subnautica 2 – early access 2025 *Game Pass

If you want to read more about Xbox, check out the games coming to Xbox Game Pass in October.

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