Beterbiev v Bivol 2 - The greatest Boxing card ever!

Briton Daniel Dubois will defend his world heavyweight title against former champion Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on 22 February.

Dubois, 27, made a spectacular first defence of his IBF belt by beating Anthony Joshua in September.

New Zealand's Parker, 32, held the WBO title between 2016 and 2018 before losing it to Joshua.

Also on the card in Riyadh, Artur Beterbiev will defend his undisputed light-heavyweight crown in a rematch with fellow Russian Dmitry Bivol.

Undefeated Londoner Hamzah Sheeraz will challenge for his maiden world title against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames, while British light-heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith will meet for Buatsi's WBO interim title.

Shakur Stevenson will put his WBC lightweight belt on the line against Floyd Schofield and Zhilei Zhang faces Agit Kabayel for the interim WBC heavyweight title to complete the blockbuster card.

Dubois captured the interim title with an impressive win over Filip Hrgovic last year and was elevated to world champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.

The Londoner legitimised himself as a world champion when he upset the odds by dismantling two-time champion Joshua inside five rounds at Wembley Stadium.

Parker earns a title shot after a four-fight winning streak, including impressive wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhang in his past two fights.

In October, Beterbiev defeated Bivol by majority decision to become the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion since 2002.

Many ringside observers felt Bivol, who suffered a first career defeat, should have been awarded the decision.

Former super-middleweight world champion Smith was stopped by Beterbiev for the unified light-heavyweight titles in January but returned to winning ways against Carlos Galvan on Saturday to earn a shot against the undefeated Buatsi, who claimed the WBO interim title on the Joshua-Dubois undercard.

Ilford-born Sheeraz, 25, has won all 21 pro bouts with 17 stoppages. He withdrew from an ordered fight against WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly to take on Dominican Adames, who has lost once in 25 bouts.

Dubois is still riding the high of his destructive win over Joshua. He has become a confident, fearless puncher – nothing like the fighter who lost to Joe Joyce in 2020 - and will fancy his chances to finish Parker inside the distance.

If he does that, he sets up a lucrative rematch with Joshua or an undisputed contest against the winner of December's bout between fellow champion Usyk and Tyson Fury.

But make no mistake, Dubois is up against a live opponent. Parker has been reinvigorated by his link-up with trainer Andy Lee and is fully deserving of another crack at world honours.

Saudi Arabia’s ever-growing influence on boxing is once again apparent with a stacked card, including a second bout between two of the best pound-for-pound stars in Beterbiev and Bivol. The inclusion of a domestic dust-up between Buatsi and Smith was a welcome surprise.

The event could be a breakout night for Sheeraz, who has all the tools to become a global boxing superstar. After a low-key amateur career, he learned his trade on the professional scene and relocated to the United States.

He is an articulate and respectful character who has the opportunity to make all that hard work and sacrifice pay off.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/cd9n10y1lk2o

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gd04oTzW...jpg&name=small

Yeah, I honestly can't wait for this! I know a lot of fans were demanding that Parker get a title shot after his winning streak and rightfully so. Parker is a better boxer than Dubois in a lot of ways and has more experience as well. He did a great job of suffocating Wilder's big punch and easily out pointed him on the score card. I haven't watch any of his fights in a while but I remember thinking that he has evolved as a boxer.

Dubois is very gritty and tough who has gone to hell and back with Usyk and Hrgovic. I still think he beat Usyk and it didn't look like a low punch to me. But Usyk is the Champion so he will be given the benefit of the doubt. Dubois was having a lot of difficulty timing Usyk early on but as the fight progressed you could see that Dubois was catching up to his speed. Usyk is a very difficult fight for heavyweights because he's so light on his feet and throws very precise punches. But anyways, Dubois has a massive left hand and he display that against Joshua and Hrgovic.

I'm also VERY excited to see Zhang back in the ring with Kabayel. Zhang isn't particularly fast but his punches must feel like bricks smashing against your face. I've only seen a few Kabayel fights but he was great against Frank Sanchez. He completely dismantled him from the first bell and his work effort is one of the reasons he's so successful.

I'm leaning Bivol in the rematch and I would like to see Schofield win because he's a much more exciting fighter than Shakur.

I am a Beterbiev fan so hopes he wins again. The first fight was exceptional and they are the best in the division by far and could live with the greats in the division.

I like Parker and his wins over Zhang and Wilder were his best performances. Even being stopped by Joyce showed he can take a brutal beating. I think Dubois stops him.

Have to support Hamzah Sheeraz and win the world title against Carlos Adames.

Israil Madrimov somehow is facing Bohachuk on the Fury v Usyk 2 undercard and Vergil Ortiz by February. Not going to happen.

Buatsi will comfortably beat Callum Smith.

Agit Kabayei will be the underdog against Zhang but hope he pulls off the upset. He is amazing talent who keeps on winning.

Two undefeated US boxers Shakur Stevenson v Schofield should be a quality contest which Shakur should win.

@Spicoli this is worth $24.99 since you have been ripped off by other cards in the past.

Yeh as it stands now great card as far as matches. I'll hold on ever and ever ;D only because I'm stubborn and want to see how it all holds together and comes off in execution. But the price is outstanding. Love Parker v Dubois and the key main rematch with Bivol and Beterbiev. Was hoping Sheeraz would take Janibek up after the fight was ordered but Adames is also a very solid match up. Zhang and Kabayel both deserve a top spot and the shine. Ortiz v Madrimov on its face is absolutely outstanding, but I'm not fully convinced how it'll work out as Madrimov is still guaranteed to fight Bohachuk as chief support for the Fury v Usyk undercard. That leaves Ortiz is limbo not knowing who he is fighting. Tons of variables can take Madrimov out of the fight, biggest is overlooking Bohachuk and taking the L. Even a cut or injury. It's a literal 59 day turn around for Madrimov and in today's games that is insane at the elite level. Maybe Zayas will be on standby or with a win Bohachuk goes right into an Ortiz rematch instead? Big step up for Floyd Schofield vs Shakur Stevenson but I don't mind a young gun just four years in rolling the dice. Looking forward to this one.

Pretty good card, alright. ;D

The Beterbiev-Bivol rematch alone is worth the watch. I like both fighters, with a special regard for Bivol for having embarrassed Canelo a while back. But I don't see this one ending any differently than the first one. Beterbiev is too powerful and durable. It'll be another great fight, though.

My opinion of Stevenson dropped a LOT after his fight with De Los Santos a couple of fights ago. Man... what a crappy fight and giant letdown THAT one was. Expected great things... got a borefest instead. Blame Shakur almost entirely. He'll probably toy with this guy. Not one of the better fights on the card, IMO.

Vergil is a force, and should make short work of this guy. Not underestimating Madrimov, mind you. Pretty rugged customer, from the little I've seen of him.

Dubois-Parker should be an excellent fight. Parker surprised a lot of people in how easily he handled Wilder, and how bad he made him look. But Parker is susceptible to the SKILLED big punchers... and Daniel is just that. Could go either way, but I think Dubois takes him out late.

Zhang-Kabayel should be another great fight. Kabayel impressed a lot of people with how he took apart the monster Makhmudov. But Zhang is another animal altogether. Don't know what to think of this one... but I think Zhang prevails in the end.

The other fights I really don't care too much about.

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Originally Posted by TitoFan

Vergil is a force, and should make short work of this guy.

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i doubt this happens

as to the rest of the card

artur repeats
daniel gets a gift british stoppage
shakur scores a knockout
vergil gets a controversial decision
joshua gets a split decision
zhilei scores a knockout

turki said the card was supposed to have two other fights but they were removed & will appear on a march card, one fight was said to be martin bakole v efe ajagba

I'm also just relieved that Ortiz is back in the ring because he has a lot of difficulty staying active. I don't think I have been this excited for a fight in a very long time. I'll do some more research and then I'll make an official prediction on this. From what I remember Ortiz had a big looping right overhand and was a big pressure fighter who got in your face. His bout against Bohachuk was an absolute war and I would love to see a rematch. I'm less familiar with Madrimov and only seen about 3 of his fights. But he is a very good counter puncher who might give Ortiz difficulty with his precision and accuracy.

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Ortiz v Madrimov on its face is absolutely outstanding, but I'm not fully convinced how it'll work out as Madrimov is still guaranteed to fight Bohachuk as chief support for the Fury v Usyk undercard. That leaves Ortiz is limbo not knowing who he is fighting. Tons of variables can take Madrimov out of the fight, biggest is overlooking Bohachuk and taking the L. Even a cut or injury. It's a literal 59 day turn around for Madrimov and in today's games that is insane at the elite level. Maybe Zayas will be on standby or with a win Bohachuk goes right into an Ortiz rematch instead?

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i'm not sure israil will make it to the vergil fight or serhii either if he wins. maybe they announced the fight to give them more time to lock in an opponent or they can use israil not making as an excuse to fight a lesser opponent. i heard there were four opponents that were reached out to, israil & xander being two of them. vergil apparently said he'll fight anyone & the promotion went with israil. i could see golden boy having charles conwell as a back up

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Originally Posted by TIC

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Ortiz v Madrimov on its face is absolutely outstanding, but I'm not fully convinced how it'll work out as Madrimov is still guaranteed to fight Bohachuk as chief support for the Fury v Usyk undercard. That leaves Ortiz is limbo not knowing who he is fighting. Tons of variables can take Madrimov out of the fight, biggest is overlooking Bohachuk and taking the L. Even a cut or injury. It's a literal 59 day turn around for Madrimov and in today's games that is insane at the elite level. Maybe Zayas will be on standby or with a win Bohachuk goes right into an Ortiz rematch instead?

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i'm not sure israil will make it to the vergil fight or serhii either if he wins. maybe they announced the fight to give them more time to lock in an opponent or they can use israil not making as an excuse to fight a lesser opponent. i heard there were four opponents that were reached out to, israil & xander being two of them. vergil apparently said he'll fight anyone & the promotion went with israil. i could see golden boy having charles conwell as a back up

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Yeh if anything the talk is definitely drumming focus on them as co main and Fury-Usyk card. And no way after all the stink about Ennis etc that they'd put Ortiz in a position to not already have a suitable backup on deck to fill the slot.

Parker's going to become a two-time champ. As impressive as Dubois recent form has been, he's a very paint by numbers fighter, prone to frustration. Parker is a different fighter under Lockhart & Lee. Parker will box smartly early to avoid Dubois early offense, make him miss and use movement to keep him resetting, clinch, feint and let off rapid fire 2-3 punch combo's. Parker needs to be the boss and break Daniel's mentality. Andy Lee will have a perfect game plan to frustrate Dubois and I see a clear decision for Parker, possibly even a late KO.

I think they should have revisited the Cordina fight for Stevenson.

The Beterbiev/ Bivol rematch had to happen, although I think the Benavidez/ Morrell fight is the best fight signed in the division.

Adames and Sheeraz both avoided the callouts from Alimkhanuly. I hope the winner unifies with him.

I like that Ortiz has been linked to tough fight after tough fight, even if they didn't all come off. He's in a division where his opposition are happy to oblige.

I think Zhang/ Kabayel will be a brutal war for as long as it goes. As crazy as it sounds I think Kabayel might get a late KO.

I think Buatsi/ Smith will be competitive. Buatsi should take a decision. The winner goes into the mix with the Beterbiev/ Bivol and Benavidez/ Morrell winners.

The winner of the Kabayel Zhang fight should automatically get a title shot. I know Kabayel is tough with a running motor while Zhang is a more traditional heavyweight in punches per round. I'm leaning Kabayel right now but this a difficult one to call because Zhang has so much power, and it's difficult to calculate how much impact it will have on Kabayel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJkvTbH0-8U&t=2s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUAA0b-YjQM&t=8s

How I see this card unfolding:

Beterbiev in another close one, though he might pull off a late KO
Parker by UD
Sheeraz by KO
Ortiz Jr. by UD
Stevenson by UD
Zhang by KO
Buatsi by UD
Rea by UD

Just cancelled a full morning and early afternoon appointments on Saturday. This is the self-sabotaging depths boxing finds me in to simply enjoy a decent card now ;D. Also on the plus side I have yet to hear Turki talk about some mid card concert but there is still time. Being completely honest the only fight I feel 100 percent certain is Sheeraz over Adames. Also think that of either Bivol or Beterbiev making better adjustments that it is Bivol. I think he gets the better of Beterbiev this time. Weight and bulk on Parker come weigh in may say everything.

floyd schofield didn't show up for the grand arrivals

Stevenson's momentum is at an all-time low, and at this point, they might as well cancel his fight rather than scramble for a last-minute replacement. Rumors are swirling—everything from possible poisoning to weight-cutting struggles to the BBBoC blocking Schofield from competing. Just another wild day in the unpredictable world of boxing.

If the fight does get canceled, hopefully, that means the full card won’t drag on for too long. But knowing how these events go, they'll probably fill the gap with a live performance—when all fans really want is more action in the ring.

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Originally Posted by The Six Four

Stevenson's momentum is at an all-time low, and at this point, they might as well cancel his fight rather than scramble for a last-minute replacement. Rumors are swirling—everything from possible poisoning to weight-cutting struggles to the BBBoC blocking Schofield from competing. Just another wild day in the unpredictable world of boxing.

If the fight does get canceled, hopefully, that means the full card won’t drag on for too long. But knowing how these events go, they'll probably fill the gap with a live performance—when all fans really want is more action in the ring.

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I hate the "entertainment" before the main event.

josh padley is the replacement opponent to fight shakur

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Originally Posted by TIC

josh padley is the replacement opponent to fight shakur

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Padley is unbeaten and getting the opportunity after beating one of Turki's favourite boxer's Chamberlain. Hope he makes good money for this contest.

What are predictions from other posters? Primo?

daniel is apparently sick & might be out of the fight

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Originally Posted by TIC

daniel is apparently sick & might be out of the fight

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That would be a shame, Parker looks huge and confident.

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Originally Posted by Master

What are predictions from other posters? Primo?

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Bivol Pts possibly SD
Dubois/Parker looks like it’s off
Stevenson RSF 8
Sheeraz UD
Ortiz Jr TKO 11 - Great fight!
Zhang TKO 8
Smith Pts. Not confident on this one. Used to big on Smith , but disappointed in him lately. Especially the old “I don’t want to make excuses,but……..and then roll off a load of excuses”

i think martin bakole is the replacement

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GkQZdSma...jpg&name=large

Joseph Parker’s Warrior Mentality on Full Display

The sheer guts of Joseph Parker. He stepped in as the underdog against both Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, defying expectations each time. Now, with just two days’ notice, he had every reason to take an easier fight. But instead, he’s accepted the so-called boogeyman of the division, Martin Bakole, as a replacement opponent—an incredibly bold move.

Credit must also go to Bakole, who wasted no time putting his hand up for the fight. He’s now on his way to Riyadh, ready to step into the ring on short notice. Parker, meanwhile, has to adjust to a new opponent at the last minute and deal with the disappointment of no longer fighting for a world title. On the other hand, Bakole faces the challenges of limited preparation, jet lag, and going up against a fully prepared Parker.

Given the circumstances, I believe Parker will rise to the occasion once again, securing a unanimous decision victory.

I think Beterbiev cursed the card

He had to.

In exchange for him being injury-free for his second fight against Bivol. He travelled to the depths of the Russian Steppe to meet a wizard who let him sacrifice the health of the undercard supports for his own. It makes perfect sense. Thoughts?

Na seriously - BIG respect to Bakole for saving the card at the death. Props to Parker for accepting this fight. Most people don't even want to be in the same room as Bakole. Either that or he has the biggest balls in the world, or he really pissed someone off in the boxing world to be getting fed some of the most murderous hitters in the division. Bakole has been on role lately but to beat Parker on such short notice would be crazy impressive.

And the way Bakole and Billy Nelson (Bakole's mamager) jumped on this makes me think he's in great shape or he doesn't rate Parker to highly. I see Bakole destroying Parker.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/e2afa34c...10_r1_500.gifv

Bakole is a top replacement and is the most avoided heavyweight just hope he is in good condition to put up a good fight. We will tell a lot about him when he steps on the scale.

Is Joseph Parker coming in too heavy at 267 pounds?

At his heaviest recorded weight, Parker’s conditioning will be a key talking point heading into the fight. Will the extra size benefit him by adding durability and power, or could it slow him down and affect his mobility?

Madrimov weighing in at 152 pounds—the lightest he’s been since his second pro fight in 2019—comes as a surprise.

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Originally Posted by The Six Four

Is Joseph Parker coming in too heavy at 267 pounds?

At his heaviest recorded weight, Parker’s conditioning will be a key talking point heading into the fight. Will the extra size benefit him by adding durability and power, or could it slow him down and affect his mobility?

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He is massive but that was his plan against Dubois. Bakole will be even bigger and Parker may need that additional weight.

Weirdly split of the Bakole last minute call up. Obviously a very respectable top name and in the best of worlds it's as solid a match as the original with Dubois minus the title aspect imo. But I highly doubt we're getting the best of Bakole. From what I've seen it doesn't look like he has been near a solid camp, coming in 2 days notice and is only just now arriving in Saudi. Jet lag factor, no proper acclimation time and you can't ignore the very real concerns of the biggest men in the sport throwing serious bombs. These are professional fighters putting entire careers on the line and you want both to be as fit and as fair as possible. I mean crap, for a top contender who is "saving the card" could they at least expedited his flight with a private jet or something :-X. Not trying to drag it all down but money motivates easily and lets some realities slip by the wayside. But I'm sure Bakole with go all out no matter where he is, and Parker will meet him likewise. We'll all see when the dust settles of course.

Welp, Bakoles first "unofficial" weight looks to be 315 lbs :-X. But that was with shoes and dressed

martin is a good replacement on paper but the reality is if he doesn't catch joseph early he's probably getting stopped due to exhaustion

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Originally Posted by TIC

martin is a good replacement on paper but the reality is if he doesn't catch joseph early he's probably getting stopped due to exhaustion

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Exactly that. He’s got no choice but to try to finish it early. Bakole will be blowing out of his ass if the fight goes past halfway.
Don’t expect a great fight and don’t expect a miracle.

Smith won and pulls off the upset against Buatsi.

Kabayel setting a high pace and landing bodyshots against Zhang.

Zhang looks shattered and it is early. Kabayel is a Rocky type fighter. He will not be denied.

callum v joshua was some fight, i had callum winning by two points

agit was starting to hurt zhilie in the fifth then got dropped, agit finished the round throwing back & won most of the round outside the knockdown

Kabayel down in round 5.