By Norm Frauenheim

Light-heavyweight champion Dimitry Bivol agreed to a mandatory against Callum Smith, a move that leaves questions about what’s next for Artur Beterbiev and probably makes David Benavidez’ hopes for a 175-pound bout less likely.

The Bivol-Smith agreement was announced by the World Boxing Organization, which canceled a scheduled purse bid Thursday.

In a statement, the WBO said Bivol, the acronym’s 175-pound champion, and Smith, the mandatory challenger. had reached terms, including date and venue. The announcement, however, included neither the specific date nor venue.

The news was not a huge surprise. Bivol promoter Eddie Hearn, also Smith’s promoter, had been predicting it for months.

Yet, there were questions, in part because Bivol underwent elbow surgery after his last fight, a unanimous decision over German Michael Eifert May 30 in Russia.

The agreement appears to eliminate any chance of a trilogy fight with Beterbiev, who will be 42 years old in January. He and Bivol are 1-1. Beterbiev hasn’t fought since February 2025 when he lost for the first time in a rematch with Bivol, who holds three – WBO, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association – of the light heavyweight belts.

He vacated the World Boxing Council’s version in April 2025, the day before a scheduled purse bid for a fight with Benavidez, then the mandatory challenger.

In a procedural move, Benavidez was moved into the vacancy, a title he later defended with a stoppage of Anthony Yarde November 2025 in Saudi Arabia.

Maybe, Benavidez and Beterbiev could fight. Benavidez still holds the WBC title. But he moved up the scale, taking two cruiserweight titles from Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in a dramatic stoppage in a Cinco de Mayo fight at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Benavidez continues to say he wants to go back down in weight – from 200 pounds to 175 – for a risky light heavy-defense.

For now, at least, that would mean Beterbiev is an option.

As of last week, Benavidez plans were to stay at cruiserweight. He’s already in training in Seattle for a planned defense against Michal Cieslak Dec. 12 in a Phoenix homecoming at Desert Diamond Arena in suburban Glendale, AZ.

Then, the plan, according to father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. is a 2027 Cinco de Mayo showdown against feared Australian Jai Opetaia, a Zuffa fighter who is already calling out Benavidez.

By Norm Frauenheim

It’s beginning to feel as though boxing has entered a statement season, as in delivering one.

Dmitry Bivol delivered last Saturday, beating an overmatched German in Russia, yet the message from Bivol was within his performance.

Bivol, still as flawless as any sweet scientist against challenger-without-a-chance Michael Eifert, showed there’s been no evident erosion in the light-heavyweight’s comprehensive skillset after back surgery and a long stretch of inactivity following his rematch victory over Artur Beterbiev.

He knows what he’s doing. But what will he do next? There are plenty of rumors, but no sources and zero hints from Bivol, a quiet Russian who is as taciturn as he is skillful.

The real – for now, only — news is that he’s back in the conversation, including the pound-for-pound debate. He’s among the second five after falling out of the subjective ratings altogether. His options are as viable as ever, including a third fight with Beterbiev and/or a date with newly minted cruiserweight champion David Benavidez, who also continues to hold a light-heavyweight belt.

For Bivol, the task was to restore leverage, his negotiating power and presence for whatever possibility — Beterbiev or Benavidez – develops.

Statement delivered.

Now, it’s Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’ turn.

Bam’s chance will be there June 13 in Glendale, AZ, a few miles of roadwork from Benavidez childhood home in west Phoenix.

That’s when and where Bam can further his pursuit of a showdown with current pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue at Desert Diamond Arena in a bantamweight debut against Antonio Vargas, who isn’t given much more of a chance than Eifert had against Bivol.

Eifert was a 25-to-1 underdog, according to various betting sites. At opening bell, the odds facing Vargas might be even bigger. The spread ranges from 25-to-1 to 33-to-1, according to numbers posted this week, also by various betting sites.

Translation: Bam is considered a virtual lock. Like Bivol, the significance – message – is within how he wins.

A few weeks ago during a media workout at Central Boxing in Phoenix, Bam, already a two-division champion, said he thought a fight with Inoue was inevitable. Since then, there have been multiple stories about  Bam-Inoue, still a dream fight. A Netflix interest was reported. Even a projected time frame for the much discussed, much anticipated possibility has been mentioned. Some speculation has it happening in early 2027

That’s not inevitable, but it is momentum, the kind that could make it happen. So far, Inoue, who is coming off a defense of his undisputed junior featherweight title against Junto Nakatani, has been about as talkative as Bivol.

Inoue has talked about moving to featherweight. He’s also has mentioned Bam. But now Japan’s Rising Son is quiet, perhaps waiting to see what kind of message Bam delivers against Vargas.

About a week ago, Vargas was declared the World Boxing Association’s 118-pound champ. The acronym’s move was merely a paper shuffle. Vargas had held a secondary belt. For Bam, it’s an opportunity – perhaps a gift. He can add a third division title to his resume.

But a long stop at bantam has never been in the Bam plan. On his blueprint, 118 pounds is another step toward his inevitable. Always has been.

A convincing performance could move Bam closer. Currently, he’s a consensus No. 3 in pound-for-pound ratings, behind No. 1 Inoue and No. 2 Oleksandr Usyk. But there are doubts about Usyk after his problematic victory over kick boxer Rico Verhoeven May 23 in Egypt.

A dominant Bam on June 13 could vault him over Usyk into the No. 2 spot. No. 1 versus-No. 2 is a classic scenario in what would be the biggest little-guy fight in history. Maybe those stories about Netflix’s interest are accurate.

Only Bam can make sure of it with the delivery of another convincing statement.

Dmitry Bivol returned from shoulder surgery to retain IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight titles with a smooth 12-round unanimous decision over Michael Eifert in Ekatineburg, Russa.

In round one, Bivol put Eifert on the cavas when he landed a left hook to the side of the head.

Bivol, 174.9 lbs of St. Petersburg, RUS won by scores of 118-107 on all cards and is now 35-1. Eifert, 174.3 lbs of Germany is 13-2.

Mukhhammad Shekhov won a 10-round unanimous decision over Yerni Btancourt in a super bantamweight bout.

Shekhov, 122.1 lbs of Russia won by scores of 119-109 and 118-110 twice and is now 18-1-1. Betancourt, 121.9 lbs of Venezuela is 27-3.

Vadim Tukov won a 10-round unanimous decision over Sebastian Papeschi in a middleweight bou

In round four, the left eye of Papeschi started to close.

Tukov, 158.8 lbs of Russia won by scores do 08-92 twice and 96-94 and is now 17-0. Papeschi, 157.9 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG us 23-6.

Nikita Zon stopped Nahuel Gonzalo Garcia.

In round five, Zon dropped Garcia with a right hook and finished the fight seconds by scoring a knockdown with a body shot.

By Norm Frauenheim

It looks as if hints to David Benavidez’ immediate future will play out Saturday with light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol’s comeback from back surgery against German Michael Eifert in Russia, but that hasn’t stopped anybody from talking — ad nauseam — about Canelo Alvarez.

By all accounts, Canelo-Benavidez won’t happen. At least, that’s what Canelo said definitively during a news conference in Egypt for a Sept. 12 fight against Christian Mbilli.

Benavidez is a cruiserweight and possibly an emerging heavyweight, Stay there, Canelo said. In a rare agreement with Canelo, Benavidez father and trainer Jose Sr. also told Fight Hub TV that the fight was no longer a possibility.

The only sure thing is that fans and media will continue to debate, wonder and fantasize about it.

Canelo-Benavidez has become a permanent fixture in the public imagination, which is where it figures to stay.

Nevertheless, Benavidez repeated what he said after his beatdown of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez for a unified cruiserweight title May 2. He can still make 175 pounds. Meanwhile, Canelo is staying at 168 in a bid for a World Boxing Council title against Christian Mbilli Sept. 12.

If a heavily favored Bivol wins Saturday, a return to 175 could create Benavidez’ first opportunity at an undisputed title, a key addition to his pound-for-pound resume. The Phoenix born-and-forged fighter has the WBC version of the light-heavy title; Bivol has the other three belts.

“I was ready then and I’m ready now,’’ said Benavidez, who was in Mexico City Wednesday to honor his father as the WBC’s Trainer of the Year. “I can still make 175.’’

Benavidez went on to mention Canelo. It’s impossible not to. Yet, his promised 25-pound move downscale is really about a shot at Bivol and that undisputed distinction.

Against Eifert, there’s a chance to see what Bivol still has. Has he completely recovered from back surgery? Is he still the same fighter who upset Canelo and evened the score with a rematch decision over Artur Beterbiev?

Answers will go a long way to figuring out what and who are next for Benavidez, now a top five pound-for-pound contender. But the questions will still be about Canelo.

FIGHT CITY

Bivol, who is of Russian and Korean descent, will be fighting in his home country in a city, Yekaterinburg, with lots of history, some noteworthy and some ominous.

It is Russia’s fourth largest city, located east of the Ural Mountains. In the early to mid-19^th century, the city’s mines produced 45 percent of all the gold in the world. Some of that gold can be seen, glittering off domes at the top of an old church.  

It’s called Church on the Blood. Czar Nicholas II, Russia’s last monarch, and his family were murdered there by the Bolsheviks in July, 1918.

(December 1, 2025) – WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez says he’s excited about taking over next Cinco de Mayo weekend to face WBA and WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, not only because he’ll be vying for world championships in a third division, but also for the history-making aspect of two proud Mexican warriors competing for the cruiserweight world championship for the first time in history.

Fresh off his seventh-round TKO victory over Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) is next scheduled to meet Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) on May 2, 2026, at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

With some fans wanting Benavidez to unify the titles against IBF, WBA and WBO World Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitrii Bivol or face former IBF Champ Artur Beterbiev next, rather than Ramirez, Benavidez’s longtime promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to remind fans of some facts concerning the choice to face Zurdo instead.

“After waiting so long for Canelo Alvarez, only to have him avoid us at all costs, David will wait for no one ever again,” said Lewkowicz. “We offered Bivol $8 million to face David last year, and he chose to vacate the WBC title a day before a scheduled purse bid rather than face him. Beterbiev is coming off a loss, so other than money, he brings nothing to table. Besides, David wanted the winner of rematch, not the loser. David would stop Beterbiev. No doubt in my mind and has already dropped Bivol with headgear and big gloves. David is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but he won’t talk about it. He will show it, fight after fight.”

Lewkowicz also wants fans to know their wish will be granted in the near future.

“The WBA has guaranteed us that David is the mandatory for the Bivol/Beterbiev winner,” he added. “Bivol will have to act like a ‘Russian Canelo’ and vacate another title to avoid facing David. He doesn’t want to fight because he knows when they sparred, David put a beating on him and dropped him. He has zero chance of beating David. That I promise you. He has no power to keep David off him, and he will take a brutal beating!”

Benavidez has already held world championships in two weight classes, the WBA Light Heavyweight Title since February 2025 and the WBC Light Heavyweight Title since April 2025. Previously, he held the WBC Super Middleweight Title twice between 2017 and 2020. And, by claiming his first world title at 20 years, and eight months old, Benavidez holds the record as the youngest super middleweight world champion in history.

May 5, 2025 – Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz sends his congratulations to Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas, Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza for their success and bravery in the ring over the weekend.

Lewkowicz also says he’ll do whatever it takes to make next year’s Cinco De Mayo celebration in Las Vegas unforgettable by pitting Light Heavyweight superstar David Benavidez against the winner of the upcoming Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev trilogy fight.

Rife with overpaid big-name fighters taking safety-first approaches in terrible fights to watch, Lewkowicz asserts that aside from Rolly Romero’s disciplined performance while upsetting Ryan Garcia Friday night, the entire weekend, normally an occasion for boxing’s marquee matchups, betrayed the spirit of Cinco de Mayo and could have heavily damaged the sport’s integrity.

Fortunately, Lewkowicz says, Sunday’s electric Inoue/Cardenas fight, in which undisputed junior featherweight champion Inoue got off the canvas in round two to stop the brave Cardenas in an eight-round thriller, as well as the intense fire fight between undefeated featherweight champion Espinoza and challenger Edward Vazquez (won by Espinoza in seven exciting rounds) thankfully saved the sport’s reputation.

“You can’t buy good fights,” said Lewkowicz, the exclusive promoter of Benavidez and co-promoter of Cardenas along with Paco Damian of Paco Presents and Garry Jonas of ProBox TV. “Those two events in New York and Saudi Arabia cost in the high tens of millions and they were nothing compared to Sunday’s Top Rank event, which cost a fraction of that amount, but delivered the kind of action we needed to save face for boxing.”

Determined to prevent a similar outcome next year, Lewkowicz says it is his mission to make the showdown for light heavyweight supremacy between “The Mexican Monster” David Benavidez and either Bivol or Beterbiev for 2026’s Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas.

“After watching Canelo Alvarez Saturday night and how he looked, I wouldn’t put him in with Benavidez for fear he’d be badly injured. David Benavidez will fight in the fall and then be ready for Cinco de Mayo to face either Bivol or Beterbiev, where the torch will finally be passed to him as the new face of boxing.”

Lewkowicz also says he’s very proud of the heart and bravery shown by the San Antonio-based Cardenas, who made the most of the opportunity he earned by looking sensational in three consecutive bouts on ProBox TV.

“Ramon’s career will change trajectory now, as he showed he belongs among the top fighters at junior featherweight and bantamweight. Thank you to Garry Jonas for giving him the chance to shine on ProBox TV and Top Rank for the opportunity against Inoue.”

About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com

Dmitry Bivol got his revenge as he was able to turn the tide and win a 12-round majority decision over Artur Beterbiev in a rematch at the A & B Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The fight was almost a mirror image of the first fight that took place in October, but this time it was Bivol who won the majority of rounds over the second half of the contest. Beterbiev was good early as he landed the harder shots and took an early lead on the cards. Bivol was able to change thigs up as he boxed and countered and was able to get off his shots. Beterbiev was never out of the fight, but he simply was not able to keep the same rhythm that of the first six rounds.

Bivol landed 170 of 547 punches. Beterbiev was 121 of 688.

Bivol, 174.1 lbs of Tokmak, Kyrgystan won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114 and is now 24-1. Beterbiev, 175 lbs of Khasavyurt, RUS is 21-1.

Speaking to DAZN analyst Chris Mannix immediately following the bout, an overjoyed Bivol exclaimed, “I’m just so happy. I went through a lot in the last year. Thank you so much everybody. I appreciate everybody from my team, my coaches, everyone.” Answering what was different in his performance on this occasion, he responded, “Just me. I was better. I was pushing myself more. I was more confident, I was lighter, and I just wanted to win so much today.”

Artur Beterbiev did not wish to discuss the judges decision in the aftermath of the contest, but he did note that he and Bivol had put on another instant classic while setting the table for his chance to enter the deciding bout as the challenger. “I think this fight was better than the first fight. Now it’s my time to come back.

Parker Stops Bakole in 2 to win WBO Interim Title

Joseph Parker stopped very late replacement Martin Bakole in round 2 to win the WBO Interim Heavyweight title.

In round two, Parker landed a big overhand right to temple that slumped Bakole to the canvas. The fight was stopped with Bakole down and corner stopped the bout at 2:17

Parker, 267 lbs of Auckland, NZ is 36-3 with 24 knockouts. Bakole of the Congo, took the fight on two days notice after IBF champion Daniel DuBois fell ill, is now 21-2.

Following the victory, Parker exclaimed, “Martin Bakole, thank you very much for accepting the challenge and flying over here on short notice to give me a good fight.”

When asked about his preparation going into a fight with a late opponent change, Parker shared, “I’m fit, I’m strong, I’m healthy. I’m sharp thanks to these two men and my hard work as well. Andy was breaking it down for me, and I came in and I had to be patient. I just went out there and listened, stayed calm, composed, and got the victory. Andy gave me instructions to be patient. When he walks in and attacks, that’s when you have to take your shot.”

Despite the successful outcome, Parker remains unsatisfied and noted, “I want to say, who’s next? How can I fight for the world title? I want to fight for a world title, and I’d like to be champion of the world again, too. I will fight anyone and everyone. Saudi Arabia has been amazing. Four fights. Four wins. Thanks to everyone who has been involved.”

Stevenson Stops Late Replacement Padley in 9; Retains Lightweight Title

Shakur Stevenson stopped late-replacement Josh Padley in round nine to defend the WBC Lightweight title.

It was a typical Stevenson fight as he dominated the fight was his boxing against the overmatched Padley. In round seven, Stevenson turned up the gas and started to really break Padley down. Finally in round nine, Stevenson scored three knockdowns, all on body shots and the corner of Padley rescued their man and threw in the towel.

Stevenson, 134.1 lbs of Newark, NJ is 23-0 with 11 knockouts. Padley, 134 lbs of Yorkshire, ENG is 15-1.

Following the victory, Stevenson admitted, “I just did what I was supposed to do with the person that was in front of me. Honestly, you up the level and get the top guys to get in the ring with me, I’ll make them look like that too.”

After being asked who he wants to face next, Stevenson quickly replied “Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis. I think that’s the biggest fight in boxing. Me and him can make the most money if we make this fight happen, so let’s do it.”

Adames and Sheeraz Battle to Draw in Middleweight Title bout

Carlos Adames retained the WBC Middleweight title with a split draw with Hamzah Sheeraz.

In round eight, Sheeraz started to swell under his right eye. the bout did noy feature much sustained action as Adames was trying to come forward and the longer Sheeraz fought off the back foot, Each landed some good shots, but neither followed up.

Scores were 118-110 for Adames, 115-114 for Sheeraz and 114-114.

Adames landed 143 of 509 punches. Sheeraz was 135 of 490.

Adames, 158.1 lbs of Elias Pina, DR is now 24-1-1. Sheeraz, 158 lbs of Essex, ENG is 21-0-1.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. Decisions Madrimov to Retain WBC Interim Title

Vergil Ortiz Jr. retained the WBC Interim Super Welterweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov.

In round two, Ortiz began to swell under both eyes. It was a fight where Ortiz was able to find Madrimov enough as Madrimov tried to move around the ring for the better part of the first nine rounds.

Ortiz landed 166 of 561 punches. Madrimov was 127 of 466.

Ortiz, 153.1 lbs of Grand Praire, TX won by scores of 117-111 and 115-113 twice and is now 23-0. Madrimov, 152.1 lbs of Khiva, UZB is 10-2-1.

Reflecting on the biggest win of his career, Ortiz noted, “This was expected. I knew I was the better fighter, all respect to Madrimov. We knew what kind of fight this was going to be, he’s a tough opponent and was there to prove himself after a loss against one of the best in the world. We just wanted to show that we’re the best at 154 pounds, and we say yes to everybody.”

When asked who may be next for the champion at the top of the 154-pound division, Ortiz welcomed all challengers. “I just want to fight the best. I’ve never ducked anybody, no matter what anybody says.”

Kabayel Stops Zhang in 6 to Win WBC Interim Heavyweight Title

Agit Kabayel scored a sixth round stoppage over Zhilei Zhang to win the WBC Interim Heavyweight Title

Kabayel took it Zhang for the better part of the first four rounds. Kabayel was touching Zhang to the body and coming upstairs to the head. It seemed like Zang was starting to wilt, until he landed big left counter in round five that put Kabayel on the canvas. In round six, Kabayel landed a right to the body that doubled over Zhang and the ref separated the fighters for what looked to be a knockdown. Somehow it wasn’t called that. But a moment later, it was another right that put Zhang on the canvas. Zhang tried to beat the count but was not able to at 2:29.

Kabayel, 241 lbs of Nortdrhein, GER is 26-0 with 18 knockouts. Zhang, 287.5 lbs of Zhoukou, CHI 27-3-1.

“We trained hard for this,” said Kabayel immediately after the fight. “This fight was hard. The training camp was hard. I’m so happy.”

Callum Smith Decisions Buatsi in Slugfest to Capture interim Light Heavyweight Title

In a terrific action fight to start the main card, Callum Smith won a 12-round unanimous decision over Joshua Buatsi to win the WBO Interim Light Heavyweight title.

In round four, Smith was cut over his right eye. That seemed to fuel Smith as in round’s five and six, Smith hurt Buatsi with hard body shots. When it seemed that Smith was on his way to a stoppage, Buatsi hurt Smith with a big left hook in the final seconds of the frame.

It was a battle of body shots with both guys being hurt to the flank area,. The two battled down the strecth, but it was Smith who had the more telling blows.

Smith landed 272 of 716 punches. Buatsi was 247 of 606.

Smith, 174.1 lbs of Liverpool. ENG won by scores of 119-110, 116-112 and 115-113 and is now 31-2. Buatsi, 175 lbs of London is 19-1.

Reflecting on his new title, Smith admitted, “I feel good. Obviously it wasn’t perfect. I know I still have plenty left and feel I’m good enough to be a two-division world champion. I felt I had to prove a lot of people wrong tonight. It wasn’t the perfect performance. I took off a few rounds towards the end. I lost my rhythm a little bit, and my vision was a little impaired, but that’s boxing, and you have to get on with it. It took a performance—Josh Buatsi is a very good fighter, and I knew I needed to be on my best tonight, and I believe I was.”

Mohammed Alakel remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Engel Gomez in a super featherweight fight.

Alakel, 134.1 ls of Riyadh, SA won by a 60-54 score and is now 3-0. Gomez, 132.1 lbs of Chinandega, SA is 8-43-3.

 “It wasn’t the performance I was hoping for.” I just wasn’t listening to my corner, and it just didn’t go my way,” 

Ziyad Almaayouf remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Jonatas de Oliveira in a welterweight fight.

Almaayouf, 143.2 lbs of Riyadh, SA won by a 60-54 score and is now 7-0-1. Oliveira, 141.6 lbs of Para, BRA is 6-21.

 “I feel so great. It’s so good to get back to winning ways,” said Almaayouf after the contest. “I had the best sparring, the best fight camp I ever had. But I had to do that coming from what I did last time out.”

RIYADH – February 21, 2024 – Ahead of a highly anticipated night of boxing, the main event of unified light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) and former champion Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) faced off one last time at the official weigh-in before going toe-to-toe on Saturday, February 22 live worldwide on DAZN PPV (11 a.m. ET) from the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

The event will also feature champions, top contenders and rising stars competing on the undercard. The co-main event will have former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) meeting Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs), who stepped in on short notice once IBF champion Daniel Dubois was ruled out of the contest with illness. Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) will also put his WBC lightweight title up against Josh Padley (15-0, 4 KOs), another late replacement, once Floyd Schofield was forced to withdraw due to illness. Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) squares off with Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs)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 WBO interim light heavyweight title. The preliminary card will showcase local talent with welterweight Ziyad Almaayouf (6-0-1, 1 KO) taking on Jonatas de Oliveira (6-20, 5 KOs)and super featherweight Mohammed Alakel (2-0, 0 KOs) meets Engel Gomez (8-42-3), 4 KOs) in six round bouts. 

Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £19.99 in the UK / $25.99 in the US, with no DAZN subscription necessary. The PPV also comes with a seven-day free trial of the whole DAZN platform. All of the fights and DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. For more information and to purchase the fight, please visit www.dazn.com. 

Please see below for official weights. 

MAIN EVENT: WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF, IBO WORLD LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (175 LBS) – 12 ROUNDS  

Artur Beterbiev                        vs.                  Dmitry Bivol 

Khasavyurt, Russia                                        Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan

21-0 (20 KOs)                                                23-1 (12 KOs)

175 LBS                                                         174.1 LBS

CO-MAIN EVENT: INTERIM WBO WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (201+ LBS) – 12 ROUNDS 

Joseph Parker                        vs.                  Martin Bakole

Auckland, New Zealand                                 Kananaga, Democratic Republic of the Congo 

35-3 (23 KOs)                                               21-1 16 KOs)

267 LBS                                                         TBA

WBC WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (135 LBS) – 12 ROUNDS 

Shakur Stevenson                  vs.                  Josh Padley

Newark, New Jersey, USA                             Yorkshire, United Kingdom 

22-0 (10 KOs)                                                15-0 (4 KOs) 

134.1 LBS                                                      134 LBS

WBC WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (160 LBS) – 12 ROUNDS 

Carlos Adames                       vs.                  Hamzah Sheeraz 

Elias Pina, Dominican Republic                     Essex, United Kingdom 

24-1 (18 KOs)                                               21-0 (17 KOs) 

158.1 LBS                                                      159 LBS 

INTERIM WBC WORLD SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (154 LBS) – 12 ROUNDS

Vergil Ortiz Jr.                                     vs.                   Israil Madrimov

22-0 (21 KOs)                                                 10-1-1 (7 KOs)

Grand Prairie, Texas, USA                             Khiva, Uzbekistan

153.1 LBS                                                       152.1 LBS

INTERIM WBC WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (201+ LBS) – 12 ROUNDS 

Zhilei Zhang                           vs.                  Agit Kabayel

Zhoukou, China                                              Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany 

27-2-1 (22 KOs)                                             25-0 (17 KOs)

287.5 LBS                                                      241 LBS

INTERIM WBO WORLD LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (175 LBS) – 12 ROUNDS

Joshua Buatsi                         vs.                   Callum Smith

London, United Kingdom                                Liverpool, United Kingdom

19-0 (13 KOs)                                                 30-2 (22 KOs)

175 LBS                                                          174.1 LBS

PRELIM INTERNATIONAL WELTERWEIGHT BOUT – 6 ROUNDS

Ziyad Almaayouf                     vs.                   Jonatas de Oliveira

6-0-1 (1 KO)                                                    6-20 (5 KOs)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia                                      Para, Brazil

143.2 LBS                                                       141.8 LBS

PRELIM: INTERNATIONAL SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT – 6 ROUNDS

Mohammed Alakel                  vs.                  Engel Gomez

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia                                     Chinandega, Nicaragua

2-0 (1 KOs)                                                 8-42-3 (4 KOs)

134.1 LBS                                                      132.1 LBS

About DAZN:

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?dazngroup.com. 

By Norm Frauenheim

Rematches, like sequels, often disappoint just about everybody other than the opposite corners that get a second trip to the pay window. From Sugar Ray Leonard-versus-Thomas Hearns to Bernard Hopkins-versus-Roy Jones Jr., they just happen too late. They reach their past-due date. We waited — and waited — for a second Canelo-Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin rematch and then wondered why. It was a dud, altogether forgettable.

But then, there’s the exception, which in the here-and-now means Artur Beterbiev-Dmitrii Bivol 2 Saturday. Let’s just start with the timing. It’s serves as a lesson. To wit: Immediate and rematch should be inseparable. Remove the immediacy and the sequel goes stale.

Beterbiev and Bivol last fought in October, a light-heavyweight bout won by the narrowest of margins by Beterbiev on scorecards that sparked a debate that over the last four months has sustained interest in Saturday’s sequel (DAZN, pay-per-view) in Saudi Arabia like no advertising campaign ever could. 

The absence of a definitive conclusion on Oct. 12 screamed out for a second opening bell as soon as possible. Beterbiev’s birth certificate suggests that even he isn’t immune from time’s inevitable toll. He’s 40. On any clock, there aren’t many rematches — if any — left in his 21-fight career.

In the sequel, maybe Bivol can rewrite the script, reversing inconclusive cards that had him trailing on two — 115-113 and 116-112 — and in a draw on the third, 115-115. After all, he’s the younger man, six years younger, in fact. But narrow odds late this week suggest the sequel will be as close as the original. Beterbiev is a narrow favorite. It’s somewhat intriguing that Bivol was a narrow favorite in October. Best bet, perhaps, is the 34-year Bivol, who might force a trilogy — a third fight — if he wins and if the middle-aged Beterbiev decides to fight on, or at least fight once more.

Saudi promoter, Prince Turki Alalshikh, has said he’ll try to put together a third fight if there’s a Bivol victory, forcing David Benavidez to wait on his bid for the 175-pound title. After his solid decision over David Morrell three weeks ago, Benavidez is the so-called mandatory challenger, which in acronym speak could mean just about anything. In a promising sign, Benavidez and father/trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr, will be there, at ringside in Riyadh. The Phoenix-born Benavidez and his dad boarded a flight to Saudi Thursday. Saudi money is the only factor that could turn mandatory into reality.

Beterbiev was quoted this week as saying he’d be interested in fighting Benavidez instead of Canelo, the super-middleweight champ is pointing toward a September date against former welterweight great Terence Crawford after a perceived tune up against William Scull during the first weekend in May in Riyadh in May. But whatever Beterbiev said about plans beyond Saturday is irrelevant. Neither Beterbiev nor Bivol is thinking about anything beyond Saturday, the biggest date for both.

“I was happy with the first fight because I won,’’ Beterbiev, a taciturn Russian living in Canada, said Thursday at the final news conference in Saudi Arabia  “There are many things {I learned}. It’s too long to tell you. Let’s talk after the fight.”

Beterbiev’s feared skillset includes everything but a few good quotes, of course. Then again, Bivol, also Russian, won’t ever have his own talk show, either.

“I didn’t win last time,’’ Bivol said Thursday.  “And I really want to win. It’s burning inside of me. I want to change something because I can see where I was wrong at some points. And I want to change it.’’

What Bivol wants, presumably, is more energy over the final three rounds. He was leading on the cards through the first nine. Seemingly, suddenly, his punching power lost some of the edge that kept Beterbiev off him until the tenth. That’s when Beterbiev, the older man, found enough energy to apply just enough pressure to win a majority decision. Still, Bivol goes into the rematch with some momentum. Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) went into the first fight with a perfect record — 20 victories all by stoppage. Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) is the first opponent he’s not stopped. 

Safe to say, Beterbiev will want to prove Bivol is somebody he can stop. The rematch offers him that opportunity.

“For me, for nine rounds, Dmitrii Bivol completely dominated,’’ Bivol promoter Eddie Hearn said Thursday of the first fight. “And yes, Beterbiev did come on strong and win rounds 10, 11, 12. I stand by that Dmitrii 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 (Bivol manager) Vadim Kornilov 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 (Bivol) 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, Dmitrii Bivoll 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 Dmitrii Bivol will be the undisputed champion this weekend.’’

Which could mean an immediate trilogy.

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.” 

#          #          #

RIYADH – February 19, 2024 – As anticipation builds towards a historic night of boxing, Unified Light Heavyweight World Champion Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) and former champion Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs), along with the other champions and contenders featured on the card, conducted open workouts for fans and media today at the Riyadh Season, ahead of their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday, February 22, live worldwide on DAZN PPV (11 a.m. ET) from the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Speaking with DAZN analyst Chris Mannix, the champion Beterbiev remarked that “it’s a little bit different,” coming into his second match with the challenger, but their first fight is “good experience to have.” Meanwhile, Bivol told the world that he has a “new fresh feeling,” going into Saturday night along with that he learned last May that “I don’t like to lose.”

The co-main event of IBF heavyweight title holder Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) and Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) also entered the ring, with Dubois exuding champion’s confidence, simply noting that he’s ready to go and that “it’s fight time.” Former WBO champion Parker appeared relaxed and shared “I actually feel fantastic. I’ve done all the work and I’m well prepared, and I just want to go in there and put on a great display. I’m very happy, I’m excited, but I’m saving it all for fight night.”

Now with a new opponent in Josh Padley (15-0, 4 KOs), Shakur Stephenson (22-0, 10 KOs) spoke for the first time since Floyd Schofield withdrew from their bout due to illness. The WBC lightweight champion is ready to get in the ring, declaring “I’m in shape, they could’ve sent anybody. They could’ve said “Lomachenko let’s fight,” I’d say let’s do it.”  “I know I am better than everybody. I’ll go out there and show the world who I am, they’re going to see.”

Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £19.99 in the UK / $25.99 in the US, with no DAZN subscription necessary. The PPV also comes with a seven-day free trial of the whole DAZN platform. All of the fights and DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. For more information and to purchase the fight, please visit www.dazn.com. 

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (Feb. 18, 2025) — PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, returns to the ring when it live streams, in full HD, to boxing fans, in the U.S. and Canada, the undisputed light heavyweight world title rematch between the defending world champion Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs), the Russian native who hails from Montreal, Canada, and the WBC/WBA/WBO no. 1 contender and former world champion Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs), a native of Kyrgyzstan who fights out of Indio, California.  In their previous fight, on Oct. 12, 2014, a battle between undefeated champions, Beterbiev edged Bivol, winning a razor thin majority decision.  Beterbiev and Bivol will run It back again, in an immediate rematch, in the main even rumble of an action-packed pay-per-view event, live from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh Season’s The Last Crescendo.  TheBeterbiev vs. Bivol 2 world championship pay-per-view event will take place this Saturday, Feb. 22, beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT.  Priced at $25.99, it can be ordered by clicking here: PPV.COM – Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2.

The Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 pay-per-view live stream will also feature a packed undercard of six (6) exciting title bouts, including: IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs),defending his world title against former world champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs); WBC lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs), defending his title against Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs); WBC middleweight world champion Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KO),defending his title against no. 1 world-rated contender Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs); WBC interim super welterweight world champion Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs),defending his title against former world champion Israil Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs); top-rated contenders Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs), vs. Agit Kabayel (25-0, 17 KOs), battling for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight world title; and WBO interim light heavyweight world champion Joshua Buatsi (19-0, 13 KOs), defending his title against two-time world title challenger Callum Smith (30-2, 22 KOs).

PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, will offer Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 for $25.99 in the U.S. and Canada.  iNDEMAND, the parent company of PPV.COM, will also be carrying the event through its network of cable and telco operators in the U.S. and Canada via providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Optimum, Fios, Rogers, Bell, SaskTel, and Telus, among others.

About iNDEMAND and PPV.COM

iNDEMAND is an innovative partnership among three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.– Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDEMAND is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDEMAND delivers great content to more than 60 million cable homes and has distribution deals with more than 90 companies.  In December 2021, iNDEMAND launched PPV.COM, an innovative streaming PPV service and the first of its kind to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports.  With the addition of PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, to its existing cable PPV infrastructure, iNDEMAND has consolidated all forms of PPV distribution under one roof, making the company the only provider of turnkey PPV solutions for both industry partners and consumers.  For more information, go to indemand.com.

In 2024, one of the most anticipated showdowns in boxing featured Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. At the time, Bivol entered the ring as the reigning WBA Super Light Heavyweight Champion, while the hard-hitting Canadian held the WBC, IBF, and WBO belts. When the dust settled, Beterbiev emerged victorious, becoming the undisputed king of the 175-pound division. Now, just months later, they meet again to settle unfinished business.

Only four months after their first encounter, Beterbiev and Bivol are set to collide once more in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in what is shaping up to be not just one of the biggest fights of 2025, but one of the defining clashes of the decade. Both men stand among the greatest light heavyweights of the 21st century, and this rematch carries enormous stakes.

Beterbiev didn’t just take the belts—he also handed Bivol the first loss of his career. The first fight was a razor-thin majority decision, with two judges scoring it for Beterbiev and the third calling it a draw. Now, the Russian-born Canadian has even more to prove—was his victory decisive, or does Bivol have the blueprint to reclaim his throne?

On paper, Beterbiev is the bigger puncher. He boasts 20 knockouts in his 21 victories, while Bivol has recorded 12 stoppages in his 23 wins. But there’s one crucial detail: the only man Beterbiev has failed to knock out is Bivol.

Both fighters have something to prove—Bivol is fighting to regain his titles, while Beterbiev wants to show that his October victory was no fluke.

Bivol’s résumé includes a dominant victory over Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, a fight in which he controlled the action from start to finish, leaving the Mexican superstar frustrated and outclassed. Meanwhile, Beterbiev’s highlight reel features a brutal stoppage of Callum Smith, whom he took out in the seventh round to strip him of his world titles.

This Saturday, we witness an epic war that will go down in light heavyweight history. Two champions, one ring—who walks away undisputed?

RIYADH – February 18, 2024 – In anticipation of a historic night of boxing, unified light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) and former champion Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 11 KOs) made their grand arrivals today at the Riyadh Season ahead of their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday, February 22 live worldwide on DAZN PPV (9:30 a.m. ET) from the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Also making their grand arrivals were co-headliners, champions, top contenders, and rising stars featured on the undercard. The co-main event features IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs), set to defend his title against former WBO champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs), along with Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs), who puts his WBC lightweight title up against Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs). Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) and Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs)were also in attendance and both 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 set 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. 

Here are some of the top comments fighters shared during their grand arrivals today:

Artur Beterbiev 

What did you learn from the first fight with Bivol?

“We learned some different things, like what we need to improve and what we need to correct. We did some stuff about these things, so we’ll see.”

How can you be better in this rematch?

“There are many things and aspects in which I can improve, so we’ll see.”

Can you explain how at 40 years old you still seem to get better as you age?

“I think it’s because of experience. To be in good shape for a long time is helpful to your body.”

Dmitry Bivol 

What do you need to do to get the win this time around?

“I just need to be better in all positions. I need to be faster, harder, smarter. Everything needs to be better.”

What did you learn from going 12 rounds with Beterbiev in March?

“I learned about myself. That I don’t like to lose, and I need to push myself harder. More punches and more endurance.”

Daniel Dubois

What’s your confidence level coming into this fight?

“I’m flying. I feel really confident, ready to go. The talking is done, it’s time to go to work.”

What kind of fight are you expecting from Joseph Parker?

“I’m expecting just war. I’m ready to fight. Whatever happens, I’m ready to go through him and put him to sleep. Just go for the next one. I’m hungry.”

Joseph Parker

What are the biggest differences in you since your loss to Joe Joyce?

“Listening to Andy (Lee), listening to George (Lockhart), and applying what I’ve been learning in camp, training, and in the ring. It’s pretty simple. Go out there; believe in yourself. I have confidence and I’m going to prove to everyone that you can always come back from a loss.”

What do you have to do to beat Daniel Dubois?

“I have to be me. I have to focus on myself. Go out there and execute the game plan Andy Lee has put in place, and become champion of the world.”

Shakur Stevenson

How eager are you to get back in the ring after your hand injury?

“I’m ready to show the world that I’m a superstar. I think I’m one of the best fighters in the sport of boxing. The world will know February 22.”

What can people expect from you on Saturday?

They can expect the best fighter to show out. That’s what I’m going to do.”

Carlos Adames 

What was your reaction when you got the call to fight Sheeraz?

“Since before they even called me, I thought it was going to be my next victim. I feel like they think they can beat me, but they can’t.”

What do you have to do to win on Saturday?

“I only have to decapitate him.”

Hamzah Sheeraz 

Why was this the right fight for you?

“After Emril Williams, I was the No. 1-ranked contender for the belt. So it only made sense.”

What do you need to do to win on Saturday?

“Just do what I do. Stay disciplined, stay focused, and just enjoy myself.”

Vergil Ortiz Jr. 

What’s behind your motivation for this fight?

“It’s the first title defense against a very good opponent. It doesn’t get better than that.” 

Do you feel settled now at the 154-pound weight class?

“I feel good. I feel really good at this weight class. I’m willing to stay here for a long time. if the opportunity comes up at 160, we’ll take it too. We’ll just see what the future holds.”

When you watched Madrimov’s fight against Crawford, did you see things in his game that you could exploit?

“Crawford and I are obviously different fighters, different approaches, which means different chinks in the armor. But we always find a way.”

Israil Madrimov

What did you learn from the experience against Terrance Crawford?

“After Crawford, I learned from the experience. Now, I want this fight and this belt for everybody.”

How important to you is it to get a world title back in this fight on Saturday?

“It’s important to get the title again for me, but at the same time I showed myself with the Crawford fight. Many fans know about me after that, so that’s also important to me.”

Zhilei Zhang 

How big was the win over Wilder to you?

“It means a lot. After Joseph Parker lost, it means that I’m coming back. Big Bang is here.”

What do you have to do to beat Kabayel? 

“Whatever he brings to the table, I have an answer for him.”

At 41 years old, do you still feel like you have a lot left in the tank?

“I don’t know how far I can go, but as of now I’m feeling great, I’m feeling very young.”

Agit Kabayel 

Do you like being the underdog?

“Yes, I like it. You’ll see on Saturday, the underdog will shock the world again.”

Does fighting for an interim title mean anything to you?

“It’s a small world title. But after the small world title, maybe comes the big world title.” 

Joshua Buatsi

What do you think this fight will look like?

“One that I’ll win. However it looks, I’ll come out on top.”

What are you expecting of this fight stylistically?

“It’s a style that should gel. Whatever style I have to provide to win, that’s what I’m going to do.” 

Callum Smith

How are you feeling going into this fight?

“I’m feeling good. It’s a good opportunity to put myself closer to where I want to be, and that’s a two-weight world champion.” 

What did you learn from your loss to Beterbiev?

“I think you just learn from all your fights. Losing kind of magnifies it on where you need to improve. I assessed it, looked at reasons why I came up short, and feel I’ve improved in certain areas, and I’m a better fighter because of it.” 

It’s been a respectful buildup; what will the fight look like on Saturday?

“I think it will be a good fight. I think stylistically we should gel pretty well. It’s not personal. I’ve got a job to do, and he’s got something I want. He’s got an interim world title that puts me closer to where I want to be. So I’ll go in there and do the job, and I believe I’ll come out on top.” 

Mohammed Alakel

What can we expect on Saturday night?

“I worked so hard for this and a very skilled performance, hopefully.”

Ziyad Almaayouf 

What are you looking forward to most on Saturday?

“When I am in Saudi Arabia, I feel like a superhero. I can’t wait to put my cape on and rise to the occasion and rise up to the pressure again and again and again Saturday night.”

What did you learn from the draw in your last outing?

“Not what I like to happen, but it was exactly what I needed to happen. Our biggest problem is when we try to find solutions a month later for something that happened today. I learned to trust the process; I needed that draw; I needed what I’ve picked up from it.”

    •  Artur Beterbiev 174.9 lbs. vs. Dmitry Bivol 174.1 lbs
(Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship — 12 Rounds)
Referee: Thomas Taylor (USA)
Judges: Glenn Feldman (USA), Pawel Kardyni (Poland), and Manuel Oliver Palomo (Spain)

Please note: In the United States, Beterbiev vs. Bivol will be a special one-fight broadcast streaming exclusively on ESPN+.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Oct. 10, 2024)  — The two greatest light heavyweights of this generation — WBC/IBF/WBO champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA king Dmitry Bivol —will meet in a legacy-defining battle for the undisputed championship on Saturday at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The winner will become the division’s first undisputed ruler of the modern era and the first since Roy Jones Jr. defeated Reggie Johnson in 1999.

Beterbiev-Bivol will be a special one-fight presentation streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs), boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, won the IBF world title in 2017 and has made eight title defenses. In June 2022, he stopped Joe Smith Jr. in the second round to add the WBO title to his collection. Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) has made 12 defenses of the WBA belt, including a convincing decision over Canelo in May 2022. Since the Canelo triumph, Bivol has notched one-sided victories over Gilberto Ramirez, Lyndon Arthur, and Malik Zinad.

This is what the fighters had to say at Thursday’s press conference.

Artur Beterbiev

“They chose me. His Excellency chose me. So, let’s do it.”

“It’s not my business {to think about other fighters}. I have a fight this Saturday. I’m only focused on this fight.”

“I want a good fight. I’m preparing for a good fight. We’ll see.”

“Be ready, Dmitry. I will be ready.”

Dmitry Bivol

“Every time I think about my opponents, I get excited. One of them is the face of boxing. It was exciting to fight against this guy. Another one had around 50 fights and never lost. Another guy was a champion. So it makes me more excited, not nervous. And Artur is a great champion. He has what I want. He has the belts. And it’s not only about belts. When I look at his skills, I want to check my skills also against this amazing fighter.”

“In my training camp, in my head, I always try to visualize how it will go. And there are a lot of different scenarios. And usually, that fighter will be more calm when he realizes that he’s ready for everything. If he trains for some things in his training camp, and this happens in the ring, he’s more confident in those situations. And, of course, against Beterbiev, we had to do a great camp. We had to think about different scenarios, and we did. And now I’m just curious how it will be in the ring.”

Saturday, October 12

LIVE on ESPN+ (6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT)

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol, 12 Rounds, Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship
 
Referee: Thomas Taylor (USA)
Judges: Glenn Feldman (USA), Pawel Kardyni (Poland), and Manuel Oliver Palomo (Spain)

Top Rank Boxing on ESPN: Beterbiev vs. Bivol will be presented live on Saturday, October 12, at 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. The event will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This can’t-miss match-up features two of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters, WBC/IBF/WBO unified champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA king Dmitry Bivol.

A two-time Olympian who turned pro in 2013, Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio. He captured the IBF title in his 12th fight, later adding the WBC and WBO belts with brutal stoppages over Oleksandr Gvozdyk in 2019 and Joe Smith Jr. in 2022. Beterbiev is coming off January’s seventh-round TKO of former super middleweight world champion Callum Smith in Quebec City, Canada.

Bivol (23-0, 11 KOs) has held the WBA light heavyweight title since 2017, with 12 successful defenses, third-most in the division’s history. He achieved a career-defining victory in May 2022, defeating Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision, cementing his status as a pound-for-pound force. Bivol’s reign includes wins over notable opponents like Jean Pascal, Joe Smith Jr., and Gilberto Ramirez.

Beterbiev and Bivol were initially scheduled to fight on June 1, but Beterbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus in training. Bivol fought Malik Zinad on that date instead, scoring a devastating sixth-round TKO.

Timothy Bradley, Jr. and Bernardo Osuna will call the action.

ESPN.com

Thursday: Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol breakdown: Timothy Bradley Jr. breaks down the light heavyweight matchup between Beterbiev and Bivol for the undisputed championship, looks at their strengths and weaknesses and pick the winner.

Friday: How difficult is it to become an undisputed champion in boxing? Just look at Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: While we have had more undisputed men’s champions in the last 4 years than since the turn of the century, unifying all 4 major world titles has been a difficult task for any fighter in any division. Here’s why.

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: What the numbers tell us about the fight: Using punch stats from CompuBox and data from SIG, we look at the light heavyweight title fight between Beterbiev and Bivol for the undisputed championship.

New! The ESPN Original Series “The Fight Life” premiered October 7 and chronicles a year in the world of Top Rank Boxing through the journeys of five of the sport’s elite boxers: Tyson Fury, Naoya Inoue, Seniesa Estrada, Teofimo Lopez, and Josh Taylor.

ESPN+: On Demand Shows, Archives & Premium Articles

Top Rank: Real Time – All-access with top fighters throughout fight week as they work their way to fight night.
Who Do U Fight 4? – Learn what drives the next generation of Top Rank stars.
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Best of Boxing Spotlight – An archive of the all-time best Top Rank fights.
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Beterbiev vs. Bivol (All Times ET)

Date
Time
Event
Fights
Title
Platform
Sat., Oct 12
6 p.m.

Main
Artur Beterbiev (C) vs. Dmitry Bivol (C*)

Undisputed Light Heavyweight
ESPN+

This will be a special week for the boxing world. Riyadh Season will feature one of the biggest bouts the sport has to offer, pitting two undefeated fighters against each other for the World Boxing Association (WBA) light heavyweight title, in addition to the WBC, WBO and IBF belts.

The WBA champion, Dmitry Bivol, will face three-time champion Artur Beterbiev in an undercard fight at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Although the bout was originally scheduled to take place on June 1, an injury to Beterbiev forced the postponement of the date until October 12, which has generated more anticipation among boxing fans who are impatiently waiting for the showdown. 

Bivol made a defense of his belt on October 1 and defeated Malik Zinad by technical knockout in the sixth round to stay active and wait for the big fight for the undisputed title. The native of Kisguistan with Russian nationality has an excellent boxing and occasional power that make him a very uncomfortable and dangerous opponent, weapons that he wants to use to his advantage this Saturday. 

Beterbiev has not stepped into the ring since January when he defeated Callum Smith by seven round technical knockout and retained all three of his belts. The Russian native and Canadian national has power on his side and has knocked out every opponent he has faced. He knows he needs to be especially sharp to match his opponent this time around and is expected to be the one to carry the attack in the fight. 

Promotional activities for the Riyadh Season will take place this week and a great all-round show is expected over the weekend. Bivol has 23 wins, with 12 knockouts, while Beterbiev has 20 wins, all before the limit.

(Sept. 6, 2024) — The undisputed light heavyweight showdown between WBC/IBF/WBO unified champion Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) and WBA king Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs)— Saturday, Oct. 12 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S.

This can’t-miss matchup features two of the world’s best pound-for-pound practitioners, a long-awaited duel between a master boxer and a battering ram with a 100 percent knockout ratio.

Beterbiev-Bivol will be promoted by Top Rank, Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, Matchroom Boxing and Sela. 

“The epic matchup has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait until these two legends of the ring meet,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “I am thrilled that American fans can view the fight on ESPN+, a tremendous platform that consistently shows the biggest and best bouts.”

Beterbiev and Bivol were initially scheduled to fight on June 1, but Beterbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus in training. Bivol fought Malik Zinad on that date instead, scoring a devastating sixth-round TKO. Beterbiev last fought in January, knocking out British former super middleweight world champion Callum Smith.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (May 3, 2024) — The highly anticipated undisputed light heavyweight world title showdown between WBC/IBF/WBO champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA ruler Dmitry Bivol — scheduled for Saturday, June 1 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — has been postponed after Beterbiev suffered a ruptured meniscus in training.

The plan is to reschedule Beterbiev-Bivol before the end of the year, and additional details will be provided in due course.

LONDON (April 15, 2024) — WBO/WBC/IBF unified champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA ruler Dmitry Bivol met face-to-face at today’s kickoff presser in London ahead of their undisputed light heavyweight showdown on Saturday, June 1 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This battle of 175-pound titans will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. as a special one-fight broadcast.

Beterbiev-Bivol will be promoted by Top Rank, Queensberry Promotions, Matchroom Boxing, World of Boxing Promotions and Sela.

Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs), boxing’s only current world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, stopped Enrico Koelling in his 12th pro fight to win the IBF world title. He added the WBC championship to his collection in 2019 with a 10th-round TKO over Oleksandr Gvozdyk and captured the WBO strap in 2022 by stopping Joe Smith Jr. in two rounds. He returns after vanquishing former world champion Callum Smith in seven rounds in January.

Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) is a 10-year pro who captured the WBA interim title with a decision victory over Felix Valera in 2016. The following year, he was elevated to full champion and has since made 11 defenses with victories over the likes of Jean Pascal, Smith Jr., Sullivan Barrera and Canelo Alvarez. Last December, Bivol fought on the historic “Day of Reckoning” card in Riyadh, shutting out British challenger Lyndon Arthur.

At Monday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Artur Beterbiev

“I just see another belt. I’m collecting belts, and I need one more.”

“I don’t know why {it’s taken so long to make this fight}. He knows better. Ask him.”

“We’ll see {if this is the biggest challenge}. I’m not thinking about it. I’m preparing for it. I will prepare and try to be at 100 percent.”

Dmitry Bivol

“When I signed a contract to be a pro boxer, I had a goal to become undisputed. Everything that I have gone through has been for that. I did it to achieve my goal. Even the fight against Canelo. It was my ticket for big fights. And now I’m happy that I will have this fight on June 1 for all the belts.”

“For every training camp, I think my opponent is the most dangerous opponent in the world. This helps me to be focused and serious in my training. Of course, he’s one of my most dangerous opponents. You see his record and his fights. He is powerful. It makes me more excited to fight against him because I love challenges. I love to be tested. This fight is a huge test for me.”

“Every person is different. Not only me. I have good skills. I just believe in my skills. I have been in boxing for 28 years. I’ve been in boxing ever since I can remember. I love this sport, and I think my experience will help me. And my mentality, skills, and camp. I believe I can be undisputed.”

Todd duBoef (Top Rank President)

“I’ve always been a fan of destruction. And this guy is destruction. Every time you turn on the television, my phone would ring and friends from all over the world would call me and say, ‘Who is this monster?’ And, I think he gets better with each fight.”

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (April 15, 2024) — An undisputed light heavyweight king will soon be crowned in The Kingdom. WBO/WBC/IBF unified champion Artur Beterbiev will battle WBA ruler Dmitry Bivol on Saturday, June 1 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The victor will become the division’s first undisputed champion since Roy Jones Jr. defeated Reggie Johnson in 1999. 

This battle of 175-pound titans will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. as a special one-fight broadcast.

Beterbiev-Bivol will be promoted by Top Rank, Queensberry Promotions, Matchroom Boxing, World of Boxing Promotions and Sela.

“This a dream matchup between two of the best light heavyweights we’ve ever seen,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “The beautiful city of Riyadh will play host to this legacy-defining fight. Thank you to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for his vision and determination in bringing boxing fans the fights they want to see.”

Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) is boxing’s only current world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, a human wrecking ball who entered the pro ranks in 2013 following Olympic berths in 2008 and 2012. Beterbiev wasted little time establishing his pro credentials, knocking out former world champion Tavoris Cloud in his sixth fight and stopping Enrico Koelling in his 12th outing to capture the IBF world title. Beterbiev picked up the WBC strap with a 10th-round TKO over Oleksandr Gvozdyk in 2019 and added the WBO title in June 2022 with a second-round TKO of Joe Smith Jr. He made his eighth title defense on January 13 in Quebec City, Canada, knocking out former super middleweight world champion Callum Smith in seven rounds.

Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs) is a 10-year pro with 11 consecutive world title defenses, tied for third most in light heavyweight history. A decorated amateur who tallied more than 250 victories, he picked up his first regional title in his fourth pro fight. Following two defenses of the WBA interim title, Bivol was elevated to full champion in 2017 and began his reign of dominance. He notched wins over Jean Pascal, Joe Smith Jr., and Sullivan Barrera, among others, before a career-defining triumph that vaulted him up the pound-for-pound rankings. In May 2022, Bivol neutralized living legend Canelo Alvarez en route to a unanimous decision win. Six months later, he bested former super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. Last December, Bivol fought on the historic “Day of Reckoning” card in Riyadh, shutting out British challenger Lyndon Arthur.

Dmitry Bivol has put his birthday celebrations on hold until after his latest WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title defence against Manchester’s IBO Champion Lyndon Arthur this Saturday December 23 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – shown live on DAZN as a pay-per-view event in the UK, US and over 200 markets worldwide.

The unbeaten pound-for-pound star, who turned 33 on Monday, hasn’t fought since he masterfully outpointed Mexico’s Gilberto Ramirez at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in November 2022 – the first ever World Title fight to be held in the United Arab Emirates.

Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) famously handed Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez only the second loss of his career when he outpointed the multi-weight World Champion at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in May 2022 – and the humble master boxer could be facing another career-defining fight in 2024 should his long-awaited undisputed clash with IBF, WBC and WBO World Champion Artur Beterbiev get over the line.

Beterbiev faces Bivol’s Matchroom stablemate and former WBA Super-Middleweight World Champion Callum Smith in an eagerly anticipated defence on January 13 in Canada – but the World of Boxing fighter says he remains fully focused on the task at hand this weekend. 

“Every time I get in the ring, I think like this is the best opponent that I will face, and this is the hardest fight of my career,” Bivol told Matchroom Boxing. “It helps me to be focused and take my training campy seriously.

“Preparation for this fight has been good. I spent my time in Kyrgyzstan for my training camp. It was a nice time and I had good sparring. I had my last sparring on Monday before my fight on Saturday. Everything is good.

“Lyndon Arthur a good fighter and he’s a well-schooled boxer. He uses his jab a lot and he moves well. This is going to be a good challenge for me. His record and his IBO belt are an extra motivation for me.

“I try to be the best version of myself every time I get in the ring. I hope we’re going to win another title. It’s a new challenge for me. Then I can celebrate my birthday properly. My celebration on Monday was two training sessions!”

Bivol sent fight fans into a frenzy when he came face-to-face with Beterbiev at a glitzy gala event in Saudi Arabia ahead of the huge Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou event back in October, and the long-reigning WBA Champion believes they will finally share a ring in 2024 should they both get past their latest tests.

“It’s a big goal and when we signed the contract we discussed not only fighting against Lyndon Arthur, we discussed about another fight too for four belts. We discussed undisputed. They want to make this fight and they can make this fight. This is really good for me. It’s what I need.”

The ‘Day of Reckoning’ comes after the ‘Battle of the Baddest’, which was held on October 28 during the opening of Riyadh Season 2023, in which Tyson Fury defeated Francis Ngannou.

Tickets for events and experiences in the zone can be reserved through the WeBook application by accessing the following link:
http://onelink.to/wbkapp

LAS VEGAS –Welcome back, Canelo Alvarez.

A perceived slide was interrupted, if not halted altogether, Saturday night with Canelo’s thorough  victory over Jermell Charlo in front of a Showtime pay-per-view audience and a roaring crowd at T-Mobile Arena.

Other than a knockout, Canelo did it all. He didn’t  tire in the end. He reasserted his documented power, forcing Charlo to take a knee with a huge right hand in the seventh. He had Charlo and his doubters in retreat throughout 12 rounds.

For months, the argument was that Canelo’s 18-year career in the prize-fighting ring was over. It was as if somebody had jammed Canelo’s skillset into a barrel and shipped it to the dump. But there were signs throughout the last week that Canelo had redefined himself, his body and his career.

“Nobody is going to beat this Canelo,” he said .

The one-sided scores — 118-109, 119-108, 118-109 — were just one measure of how dominant Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) was in his fight to stop the slide. Charlo (35-2-1, 15 KOs) simply had no chance.

“I don’t make excuses for myself,” Charlos said. “it is what is is.”

One question will linger. Charlo, an undisputed champion at junior-middleweight, was fighting for the first at super-middle, a division Canelo has long ruled.

Charlo jumped two weight classes. He was feeling super-middleweight power for the first time. The question will be there until Canelo faces a true super-middleweight. That might be David Benavidez, the unbeaten super-middleweight from Phoenix.

First, Benavidez has to beat Demetrius Andrade. 15 Rounds confirmed with promoter Tom Brown that Benavidez will fight Andrade on November 25 in San Antonio. The World Boxing Council aso is planning to address Canelo’s next mandatory defense at its convention in November in Uzbekistan, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman told 15 Rounds. The Benavidez-Andrade winner might get a mandatory shot at Canelo. 

But nothing is ever certain. Welterweight champion Terence Crawford, the undisputed pound-for-pound No. 1 after his blowout of Errol Spence, has talked about facing Canelo at a catchweight. Crawford was in the crowd Saturday.

“We can;t rule on what we don;t know,” Sulaiman said. “We can only deal with the facts.”

For now, here’s one:

Canelo is back.

Lubin wins unanimous decision for a fight that only earns boos

A firefight was the promise. But there was no fire. Not much of a fight, either. Instead there were boos.

A gathering crowd for the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo fight Saturday night turned into a storm of discontent at a bout that had been projected to be a significant junior-middleweight match.  

But the Erickson Lubin-Jesus Ramos bout was a dud in the final Showtime pay-per-view bout before Canelo-Charlo at T-Mobile Arena.

For 12 rounds, Ramos (20-1, 16 KOs) moved forward, chasing a backpedaling Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs). If it weren’t for ropes that kept him in the ring, Ramos would have been chasing Lubin down the Vegas Strip. Lubin would not engage.

But he did enough backpedaling to convince the judges. All three scored it in his favor. It was 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111. All for Lubin. The decision was unanimous. So was the crowd’s discontent.

Lubin looked surprised when the scores were announced.  Ramos, a 22-year-old Arizona fighter from Casa Grande, looked
stunned. After Lubin  stopped backpedaling enough to be interviewed in the ring, his answers couldn’t be heard above the roar of boos.

“I’m one of the top dogs,” he said after a dog fight.

Meanwhile, Ramos was left to deal with one of boxing’s lessons. Lousy decisions are like scars. Everybody has one.

“I’ll move on and deal with this loss,” said the young fighter who came into the ring  amid expectations that he had a chance to be one of boxing’s next great champions.

All he has now is a loss. And maybe a lesson. 

Barrios scores decision over a bloodied Ugas

In the end, it belonged to Mario Barrios, who scored a decision — unanimous and contentious — over Yordenis Ugas Saturday night on the Showtime pay-per-view telecast of the card featuring Canelo Alvarez-versus-Jermell Charlo at T-Mobile Arena

Barrios (28-3, 18 KOS), a San Antonio welterweight, scored two knockdowns of Ugas (27-6, 12 KOs), a Cuban best known for ending Manny Pacquiao’s legendary career.

A left jab put Ugas down in the second. He was down again in the twelfth. Twice, the ringside doctor looked at his bloodied eyes. Each time, the fight was allowed to continue. But there was never much of a chance that Ugas could win. By  A lucky punch? Maybe.

But Barrios had too much energy and more precision in his punches. Ugas was just hanging on for an end that would go against him. It did.  He lost on all three cards, 118-107, 117-108, 118-107..

Elijah Garcia delivers TKO victory in his “toughest” fight

There were questions in the beginning. Then, there were lessons, sharply delivered and still there to learn. In the end, there was some perfection.

For emerging middleweight Elijah Garcia, still a student of the game, it was a fight full of just about everything. From aspirations to possibilities, it was all there.

 Above all, Garcia (16-0, 13 KOs) stayed unbeaten and on track to accomplish an ambitious goal with an eighth-round TKO of Armando Resenediz Saturday in the first Showtime pay-per-view bout on the card featuring Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

“It was really a hard fight,” said Garcia, a 20-year-old Arizona fighter who wants to be a 21-year-old middleweight champion. “It was my toughest, yeah 100 percent.”

They’ll get tougher. A lot tougher. There’s no other way to get to that middleweight title. But he’s still there, perhaps on the fast track, mostly because of what he continued to prove. His power is deadly and he sustains it. Without it, he might be dealing with his first defeat.

But it was alway there and always accurate enough  to stagger, stun and then wear out the gritty Resendiz (14-2, 10 KOs). 

The Phoenix born left-hander, who continues to wear 602 — the PHX area code — stitched onto the belt buckle of his trunks — set the tone in the opening round, buckling Resendiz at the knees with a big left hand.

But Resendiz, stubborn and brave, would not go away. For the next few rounds, Resendiz tirelessly moved forward and relentlessly threw straight-handed punches. They landed, again and again. The evidence was in the reddening skin around Garcia’s eyes. Garcia was dropping his hands, especially his left.  Sometimes, it was down at his hip. It was risky against Resendiz. Against a middleweight champion, it could be deadly. A lesson still to be learned.

For now, Garcia’s power prevails. Within Resendiz’ busy style, there was no counter for it . There was only an inevitable end and It came at about two minutes of the eighth round, delivered by a sequence of punches that were a thing of beauty. Garcia put together three punches, almost seamlessly. First, Gracia landed a left to Resendiz’s body. Then, he followed with a right to the body. Then, there was the finishing touch, a right to the head. It was all done with a certain rhythm that ended in Resendiz crashing to the canvas.

About 30 seconds later, referee Tony Weeks saw a dazed and defenseless Resendiz. Wisely, Weeks ended it at 2:33 of the eighth round of a fight that included a statement, punctuated by three perfectly delivered punches that summed up Garcia’s potential.   

Frank Sanchez wins fourth-round stoppage

Frank Sanchez has more than just heavyweight power. He’s a quick thinker.

He had to be against Scott Alexander Saturday night on the Caneo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo card Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Alexander (17-6-2, 9 KOs) of Los Angeles, quicky showed that he was more than just another opponent. He threw a head-rocking right hand, a wake-up call in the first round 

Sanchez’ response was immediate. The merging contender from Cuba countered with his own right, staggering Alexander with a blow that delivered a preview of what was to come. 

In the second round, Sanchez (23-0 16 KOs) knocked down Alexander. In the fourth, he did it again. But this one finished Alexander, who was slow to get up and wobbly when he did, a loser by TKO late in the fourth

Gausha wins majority decision

Terrell Gausha took another step  toward turning his loss to Tim Tszyu into a fading memory.

He beat KeAndrae Leatherwood.

But it wasn’t easy.

Gausha (24-3-1, 12 KOs) a middleweight from Cleveland, found himself caught up in a slow-paced bout with an awkward Leatherwood (39-1, 13 KOs), of Tuscaloosa AL, in an eight-round middleweight bout on the card featuring Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo.

A cautious Leatherwood was content to hold , but never engage Gausha. That made the fight hard to score.

Gausha, an Olympian who lost a unanimous decision to Tszyu in March 2022, won a majority decision. He was a 78-74 winner on two cards. The third judge scored it a draw.

Oleksandr Gvozdyk back with quick KO

Former light-heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk says he’s ready for Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.

He won’t get an argument from Isaac Rodrigues.

In his third comeback fight this year, Gvozdyk (20-1, 15 KOs) continued to work on restoring his world-class skills with crushing second round knockout of Rodrigues (28-5, 22 KOs) in the the third fight on the Canelo-Charlo undercard, Gvozdyk, a Ukrainian, is working his way back after he retired following a punishing loss to Beterbiev in October 2019 in Philadelphia.

Rodrigues’ 22 stoppages suggested that he might be dangerous. He wasn’t. Midway through the second, Gvozdyk, who calls himself “The Nail”, hammered him with a couple of precise punches. Rodrigues, of Brazil, had to be helped out of the ring. Middleweights fight to forgettable draw

It was a draw. Dull,too

A crowd might been bored by a forgettable middleweight bout between Abilkhan Amankul (4-0-1, 4 KOs), of Kazakhstan, and Joeshen James (7-0-2, 4 KOs) , of Sacramento, in the second bout on the Canelo-Charlo card. But there was nobody at T-Mobile to bore.

One card favored Amankul, 39-37. On the other two, it  was, yawn 38-38.

First Bell: Canelo-Charlo card opens with crushing KO

Call it a power lunch.

Gabriel Valenzuela brought all the power, He opened the show about six hours before the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo main event Saturday. He dropped Yeis Gabriel Solano three times. Nobody noticed.That’s because nobody was there for the matinee opener to a 12 fight card at T-Mobile Arena.

It was over when Valenzuela (27-3-1, 17 KOs), of Mexico, sent Solano (15-3, 10 KOs), of Colombia, crashing onto the canvas, a knockout victim at 2:33 of the sixth round. An unconscious Solano remained on the canvas, surrounded by echoes, for several seconds until hs cornermen helped up and out of the ring.

By Norm Frauenheim –

It was a homecoming that produced mixed reviews and perhaps a dilemma.

The mix, some praise and lots of criticism, was no surprise. Canelo Alvarez had to know that was coming. It was guaranteed the day Canelo signed to fight John Ryder, a tough fighter yet a second-tier talent.

Canelo beat him, bloodied him, in a one-sided decision last Saturday in his first fight in Mexico in more than a decade. The win was expected. So, too, was a knockout. The KO didn’t happen and therein rests the potential dilemma.

Who’s next?

Dmitry Bivol?

Or David Benavidez?

What’s next?

Legacy?

Or more money?

Canelo emerged from the predictable triumph at super-middleweight still sounding certain about his plans for a September rematch in a chance to avenge his loss to Bivol at light-heavyweight a year ago. It’s consistent with what he has been saying for weeks. It’s also consistent with his long-stated pursuit of legacy.

For years, he has said he wants to make history. If Forbes is accurate, he probably doesn’t need to make much more money.

Dollar-for-dollar, he’s a contender, according to Forbes, which produces a list more valuable than any pound-for-pound ranking. He’s fifth on Forbes’ latest edition of the world’s top earning athletes. The magazine reports he earned $110- million over the last 12 months.

Coincidently, he’s also at fifth in a lot of the pound-for-pound rankings. He’s slipped, or at least that’s the emerging consensus from media and bloggers who concluded that no KO of Ryder is a sure sign of decline in the Mexican’s long, rich career. It was also judged to be a sign that Canelo can’t beat Bivol at any weight.

For a man with just about everything, Bivol represents the one piece missing from a Canelo empire that includes real estate and his own line of gas stations. Bivol stands in the way of the legacy he pursues.

Canelo wants to be remembered as the best Mexican ever. That means supplanting Julio Cesar Chavez, for so long an enduring piece of Mexican history. Chavez is more than the face of Mexican boxing. He is its edifice.

Beat Bivol in a risky rematch, and Canelo will have carved out his own claim. For him, history means only one thing: Chavez. But there are doubts, more now than before the comeback against Ryder.

There are also complications about whether an agreement with Bivol can negotiated. Canelo, proud and stubborn, says he wants the rematch to be at the same weight, 175 pounds. But Bivol has been quoted as saying he wants it at 168. The light-heavyweight champion says he would be further motivated by a chance to take Canelo’s undisputed title.

However, one belt might not be there. The World Boxing Council has said it would not allow Bivol to fight for one of its titles because he’s Russian. The WBC has banned Russians because of Putin’s ongoing war with the Ukraine.

Even at the lighter weight, Bivol would still be the much bigger fighter. Barring some rehydration clause on the morning of the bout, Bivol’s size would still be an imposing challenge.

Canelo has heard that talk. It’s been impossible to ignore. Meanwhile, there’s the Benavidez option, who is still at 168 pounds.

The aggressive Benavidez is the WBC’s mandatory challenger for that piece of Canelo’s undisputed title. The Phoenix fighter is known for his volume punching and tireless pursuit. He moves forward, ever forward. He’s more powerful than Bivol, yet lacks some of the Russian’s agile defense. He might offer a better shot at victory for Canelo than Bivol ever would.

Benavidez might also offer a chance at bigger money than Bivol, the reigning Fighter of the Year, yet still an unknown Russian. Bivol has been inactive over the last year despite his upset of Canelo.

Benavidez is Mexican-American. He talks trash; Bivol speaks Russian.

Early Thursday, Benavidez got headlines for calling out Canelo on his Instagram account. It only would have been news if he hadn’t.

“Let’s give the people what they want to see,’’ Benavidez said all over again

From the promotional and pay-per-view perspective, Benavidez is the perfect opponent for a bout surrounding Mexico’s September 16 Independence Day.

I’ve said this once and I’ll say it again: In the history of Mexican-versus-Mexican American boxing, Canelo-versus-Benavidez could be the biggest since Chavez-versus-Oscar De La Hoya. It would generate huge money.

Canelo has plenty of that. Only the last piece to a legacy is missing.