Riyadh Hosts the Epic Boxing Showdown
Boxing fans, mark your calendars for February 22 as the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight title is set to shake Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The main card kicks off at 10:30 a.m. ET, and it's available via DAZN PPV for $25.99. Fans still remember their intense October 2024 encounter, where Beterbiev edged out Bivol in a disputed majority decision. That battle saw scores of 116-112, 115-113, and an intriguing 114-114, delivering Bivol's first professional loss.
The Undercard You Can’t Miss
This boxing spectacle doesn't stop at the main event. The undercard is packed with action, featuring several high-stakes fights:
- Joseph Parker squares off against Martin Bakole. Parker, at -155, is the favorite following a last-minute switch, with Bakole stepping in for Daniel Dubois.
- Shakur Stevenson defends his WBC lightweight title against Josh Padley, who replaces Floyd Schofield Jr. Despite Padley's long odds at +1400, anything's possible when the bell rings.
- The junior middleweight category has its banner match with Vergil Ortiz Jr. facing Israil Madrimov. Ortiz holds a slight edge at -125, but Madrimov isn't far behind.
- Hamzah Sheeraz goes against Carlos Adames for the WBC middleweight belt. Can Sheeraz, a -300 favorite, uphold predictions, or will Adames cause an upset?
Each bout promises excitement, with expert analyst predictions oscillating. A split decision leaning towards Bivol’s favor is a popular call among undercard fighters and fans alike.
Beterbiev, boasting a spotless 21-0 record with 20 KOs, completes his first title defense against Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs). After narrowly escaping their initial clash, Bivol is keen on redemption. This rematch is part of the grandly titled “Fight Card of the Century”, which includes seven championship bouts. Their original matchup was lauded for its technical brilliance and unrelenting pace, serving as a prelude to another titanic battle.
With emotions running high, Bivol shared his reflective mindset, saying, “It was a short time when I didn’t like life… But then I switched emotions and started to enjoy life. I have another chance…” His determination speaks volumes about his readiness to reclaim a zero in his loss column.
This rematch could very well set the stage for a boxing trilogy, keeping the focus on this engaging rivalry. Tune in and witness if history repeats itself or if Bivol can swing the pendulum in his favor.
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