RIYADH – (February 20, 2024) – Unified light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) and former champion Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) along with other champions and top contenders held the final press conference today at the Riyadh Season ahead of the highly anticipated Last Crescendo fight night on Saturday, February 22 live worldwide on DAZN PPV (11 a.m. ET) from the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol will serve as the main event of the evening. Following the conclusion of the press conference, it was officially announced that former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) will now face the hard-hitting Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) after IBF champion Daniel Dubois was ruled out of the fight due to illness. Bakole steps back into the ring for the first time since his impressive stoppage win over the previously undefeated Jared Anderson at the Riyadh Season show in Los Angeles last July.
Also in action, Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) puts his WBC lightweight title up against Josh Padley (15-0, 4 KOs) after Floyd Schofieldwas forced to withdraw due to illness. Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) and Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs)willsquare off for the WBC Middleweight title. Additional bouts to look forward to include Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) clashing with Israil Madrimov (10-1, 7 KOs) for the WBC interim super welterweight title and Zhilei Zhang (27-2, 22 KOs) meeting Agit Kabayel (25-0, 17 KOs) for the WBC interim heavyweight title. British stars Joshua Buatsi (19-0, 13 KOs) and Callum Smith (30-2, 22 KOs) are going to battle it out for the interim WBO light heavyweight title. The preliminary card will showcase local talent with Ziyad Almaayouf (6-0-1, 1 KO) taking on Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira (6-20, 5 KOs) in a welterweight bout and super featherweight Mohammed Alakel (2-0, 0 KOs) meets Engel Gomez (8-42, 4 KOs) in six round bouts.
The entire night will be available on DAZN platforms worldwide, with the preliminary bouts beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET and the main card at 11 a.m ET.
This is what the fighters and their teams had to say:
Artur Beterbiev
Q: What is driving you Saturday night?
“I want to defend my belt.”
Q: Are you happy with the first fight? What was your biggest learning?
“Yes, because I won that fight. Let’s talk after. It’s always different when you see a fight after.”
Q: In that first fight, for the first time in your career, three men ringside got to decide whether or not you had won. Would you prefer on Saturday, we do not need to speak to those three men and you decide for yourself?
“We’ll see.”
Q: What is your message to the world on Saturday night?
“Don’t miss our fight, it’s going to be a good fight.”
Dmitry Bivol
Q: This time, it’s Champion versus Challenger. What does that do for your mentality heading into Saturday?
“Thank you to Beterbiev for giving me a rematch. I’m just thankful and I want to go to the ring and be a winner.”
Q: You said this time, you’ll need to take more risks. What can you tell us?
“Everytime when you are changing the punches, it’s a risk. With this fighter, sometimes I’ll need to do it. Sometimes more.”
Q: How much has revenge been motivating you?
“All athletes want to win. We’re like gamblers and of course I wasn’t a winner. Now I want to win, it’s burning inside of me. I want to change something because I can see where I was wrong and I want to change it.”
Q: What will you deliver on Saturday?
“If you liked the first fight, I’m sure the second fight will be more interesting than the first one. Turn on your TV, DAZN, and watch the fight on February 22.”
Vadim Kornilov, Dmitry Bivol’s Manager and CEO, Brigade, Inc.
Q: What have you seen in Dmitry Bivol’s mentality? It’s the first time he has a loss on his record, what are you expecting on Saturday?
“This is a great opportunity for us. I was in camp with Dmitry the entire time this time. I thought he was going to win the first time, I thought the fight was very close. Much respect to Top Rank and Artur Beterbiev. Dmitry is more focused than ever. Everybody knows that everything is on the line here and I know that this time he will finish what he started.”
Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Boxing
Q: You thought surely Bivol won the first fight, give us your thoughts on the rematch?
“I thought it was a fantastic fight the first time around. One of the best fights I’ve seen up close. For me, for nine rounds, Dmitry Divol completely dominated the fight. And yes, Beterbiev did come on strong and win rounds 10, 11, 12. I stand by that Dmitry Bivol won the fight but it was a fantastic fight between two great fighters. But it’s done now, it’s over. The great thing for fans and the fighters is we get to run it back. I want to echo what Vadim said and thank Artur Beterbiev because he is now the champion, he is the hunted and he’s been the hunter for a long time. I just see the look in this man’s eye this week, I see something different. I couldn’t believe how well Bivol took the defeat. No sulking, no moaning, unbelievable mindset from this man. I just truly believe you’re going to see one of the great performances from this man Dmitry Bivol this weekend. I’m very confident that he becomes the undisputed champion. I believe he should have been last time, but now that’s done, that’s over. I expect another fight for the ages between two great champions but for me, I truly believe Dmitry Bivol will be the undisputed champion this weekend.”
Q: How do you feel about this card on Saturday?
“I feel like a fight fan that’s just going to have one of the greatest nights on Saturday. The opportunity to sit there and without a doubt, the greatest fight card we’ve ever seen. So many great fights and the opportunity for the sport of boxing to keep expanding. If we can keep producing nights like this through the Riyadh Season, the sport will continue to grow.”
Q: On Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley
“As we know, Floyd Schofield was withdrawn from the fight by the British Boxing Board of Control on Tuesday. It’s a disaster for a show, a disaster for a promoter because somehow we have to find a replacement for Shakur Stevenson. He’s been training for 12 weeks, he’s ready to fight. We did that in a way that really warmed my soul. There was no doubt from His Excellency that he wanted to make sure Shakur Stevenson fought on Saturday. But in doing that we also gave another life changing opportunity to a fighter in Josh Padley. A guy that was in training, ready for that phone call to come, that got him out of bed and on a plane the next day for an opportunity to fight for a world title and financially secure himself. And in this sport, that has to be the aim. Fighters have to strive for legacy, but at the same time they have to make sure that financially they can live a great life after boxing.”
“The man on my left (Stevenson), I think greatness is a word that’s thrown around a lot in boxing now. I think Greatness is a fantastic word for Shakur Stevenson. As a young man that’s already a three-division world champion, I believe this is a man that can go down in the footsteps of quality like a (Sugar Ray) Leonard, like a Pernell Whitaker, like a (Floyd) Mayweather. For me, this is one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters on the planet now, and there’s so much more to give. He’s not even scraped the surface in terms of his ability, his quality, and the legacy that he will produce in the sport. So enjoy watching this young man Saturday because he is going to be at the top of boxing for a long time.”
Q: On Israil Madrimov vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr.
“Israil Madrimov vs. Vergil Ortiz, for me this is the fight of the night. Israil Madrimov jumped in with Terrance Crawford, you know how I feel about that fight, it was a very close fight. Vergil Ortiz is a fantastic fighter. Matchroom and Golden Boy duke heads in what is, for me, one of the best fights in the 154-lb division.”
Q: On Callum Smith vs. Joshua Buatsi
“Any time you start a fight card with Callum Smith vs. Joshua Buatsi, a fight that can headline the O2 in London, headline the Liverpool Arena, you know this is a fight card for the ages. Callum Smith – Buatsi is one of the top British fights on the scene, now on the world level, and we believe Callum Smith will be victorious in a tremendous fight, as we do Israil Madrimov, as we do Shakur Stevenson.”
Brad Jacobs, Chief Operating Officer, Top Rank
Q: You’ve heard Vadim say he saw an injustice. What are your thoughts?
“I certainly did not see an injustice. I thought Artur won the fight very closely but won the fight. Clearly the last three rounds were Artur’s. When you see a classic bout like we did in October, the fans beg to get a rematch. Thanks to His Excellency and everyone at Riyadh Season, we now have one. It’s unusual it happened so quickly and it’s a testament to both fighters. We’re looking for another victor for Artur Beterbiev.”
Joseph Parker
Q: What are your thoughts going on now?
“If he is ill, hope he gets better soon and I’m looking forward to Saturday and putting on a great show.”
Frank Warren, Founder and Chairman, Queensberry Promotions
Q: What is the status of Daniel Dubois?
“At this moment in time, Daniel has been evaluated by a doctor, and when we have more news, we will share it with you and update you.”
Q: On Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz
“Hamzah is in a great fight with Adames, a real good quality champion. This is a great quality for Hamzah, a really big opportunity. We’re really proud of what he’s done. He’s Queenbury through and through. All he’s ever done from the start is gone out to prove himself. What a great fighter he’s become. Each fight along the way he’s gotten better and better. I think if there’s ever his moment to become world champion, this is it. Fabulous fight, a 50-50 fight.”
Q: On Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kaybayel
“We’ve got a great heavyweight fight on the undercard. “Big Bang” Zhang and Agit, again what a great fight this is. Two really good, quality heavyweights. Both top 10 ranked, and the winner is going to get himself into position where he becomes a mandatory for the title. So they’ve got everything to gain. A 50-50 fight and the winners will be the fans”
Spencer Brown, Joseph Parker’s Manager and Founder, Goldstar Promotions
Q: What’s been going on on your end with reports about Dubois?
“There’s been a lot of discussions. Like Frank (Warren) says, he’s been evaluated by a doctor at the moment, so we are just trying to find out if its good or bad news. But whatever its going to be, Joe is there. There will be a fight Saturday. Whoever’s there, Joe is ready to fight, he’s ready to go, hes ready to win. That’s it. Whoever we’re going to fight Saturday, Joe is up for it. He doesn’t care. He’s one of them fighter’s, he’ll fight anybody.
Shakur Stevenson
Q: What’s the last 48 hours been like for you?
“It’s been kind of crazy. It’s been a lot going on, but I’ve remained focused. I know I put in a lot of work this training camp and I;m coming here with the same mentality. I know this is a guy that wants to take food off my table and I’m not going to let him.”
Q: How are you doing with the danger of the unknwon with this fight?
“I mean, I fought in the amateurs. I feel like it reminds me of the amateurs where you don;t know who you are going to fight next. It’s okay, I’m going to feel him out and take care of business.”
Q: Is there more pressure to get the job done?
“There’s always a little bit of pressure, but like I said, I’m locked in, I’m focused and I’m coming to get him.”
Josh Padley
Q: What has your last 48 hours been like?
“The last 48 hours have been absolutely crazy for me. A dream opportunity. This is the pinnacle of boxing and this is what I’m here for.”
Q: Are you looking forward to Saturday?
“Absolutely. This is everybody’s dream. If you get into boxing, you aim for a world title. Not many people even get the opportunity to even fight for it and I have it. I got it on four days notice so I’m absolutely ecstatic.”
Carlos Adames
Q: What are you thinking ahead of Saturday night?
“I believe he hasn’t fought any fighter with a skill level close to mine. His first real fight is going to be against the best guy in the 160-lb division.”
Q: What’s the prediction for Saturday?
“I’m sure it will be a very good fight, but it won’t be a decision.”
Hamzah Sheeraz
Q: This is everything you;ve been working for, but you have an opponent who has been pretty vocal through the buildup, saying he’s going to take your head off.
“This is what dreams are made of. When it comes to this level, listen,, I’ve never been a a man to say too many words or talk too much shit to be fair. I just go about my business and handle it. Saturday night is no different.”
Oscar De La Hoya (Chairman and CEO, Golden Boy Promotions)
Q: You’ve backed Vergil Ortiz from the very start. This is a tough assignment Saturday night.
“Absolutely. It’s a very difficult fight for both guys. Everybody is going to be watching across the globe. This card, by far, is the best card I’ve seen in decades. I believe that all the young fighters are here to prove something, these are pick ‘em fights. I do want to thank Eddie Hearn and Shakur Stevenson for being so professional with what happened. I know all the hard work and dedication you put into this fight. All the very best and Eddie, you stepped in and made it happen.
“What can I tell you about Vergil Ortiz? Every single opponent besides one has been knocked out. Not only does it show you how strong he is, how active he is, his determination, but how smart he is. I love the main event, it’s an amazing rematch. But this fight between Vergil and Israil will steal the show. These young men are the best in their weight division, they’re the best at what they do, and they want to prove they’re the best at 154.”
Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Q: You’ve been talking about wanting to be a throwback fighter. How are you going to get the job done?
“There’s not much to say. In my opinion, this is the best fight on the card. I’m very excited to see all these fights in person. Very privileged to be here and I’m not going to let this opportunity go to waste. I’ll see you guys on Saturday.”
Israil Madrimov
Q: They call you ‘The Dream’, tell us why you’re a nightmare for Vergil Ortiz on Saturday night?
“Since my debut, I always chase at big fights. I have another big fight, I will show a great fight on Saturday. I want to show my skills for boxing fans.”
Zhilei Zhang
Q: You made it clear you can knock out Agit Kabayel. Tell us why you’re so confident in knocking him out?
“My confidence comes from my training and discipline. I’m going to bang him Saturday night.”
Agit Kabayel
Q: Tell us how you intend on dealing with Zhilei on Saturday?
“Saturday we will see.
Joshua Buatsi
Q: Tell us how you’re feeling why you come away with the win Saturday night?
“It’s a short message. We’re two days away. I’ll see everyone on the 22nd of February.”
Callum Smith
Q: Give us your thoughts on Joshua Buatsi? As a former world champion, do you feel like you’re a class above?
“Yes I just feel like I’m the better fighter, it’s a good fight. The fact that it’s on this show and sharing this stage with so many great fighters says how good the fighter is and the magnitude of the show. I’m fully focused on why I’m here and that’s to do a job and perform, showcase my skills and ultimately get the win this weekend.”
Ziyad Almaayouf
Q: How important is it for you to keep up your momentum on Saturday night?
“I want to make history, and that’s what you should expect of me Saturday night, God willing. It’s very important for me to keep my momentum, but what’s more important is to keep reminding myself that this pressure is what has gotten me here today. I’m not a victim to the pressure, I am a superhero because of that pressure. I get to stand for something. I get to give hope and make dreams come true. What I love about this career is who I’m doing it for, the younger generation. My message to the world is never give up because I’m so glad everyone here sitting at this table didn’t.”
Mohammed Alakel
Q: What tips have you picked up from Roberto Duran?
“The last two weeks of my camp I’ve been training with Roberto Duran. I’ve learned a lot from that experience and hopefully I can showcase my skills Saturday night.”
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