THE BIGGEST FIGHT-NIGHT IN BOXING HISTORY

On Saturday 22nd the biggest card in boxing history takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It culminates with the undisputed world light-heavyweight title as the main event, pairing two of the most supreme pugilists to have graced the ring this century. 

Beterbiev Vs Bivol

Artur Beterbiev (pictured above) is unusually strong at 80kg. He is the reigning and undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world. Dmitry Bivol (pictured below), lost by majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 116-112) the last time these two contestants clashed. It was a match-up of unerring skill and the world watched while the battle of two contrasting styles played out in the ring - An indestructible object versus an elusive object. A dynamite destroyer in-the-pocket versus an accurate sniper at range. ⁠

Our REAL prediction: victory for Dmitry Bivol 

If Bivol is to win this fight he needs to throw more punches than last time. Dmitry threw 583 punches versus Beterbiev’s output of 1000+ ...Bivol worked a lot in bursts, with 20% of his workrate being 4-shot combos. This left him open to Beterbiev’s brutal counter-punches, which need little wind-up to be crushing. Beterbiev loves fighters to come at him and to be leaning over their front foot before retaliating. We suggest Bivol should up his work rate, but reduce his combos to 3-punches and more regularly. ⁠

At time of writing Bivol is 34 - six years younger than his opponent. Bivol is the only fighter to have ever gone the distance with Beterbiev. Dmitry Bivol has fought 24 fights, winning 23 of them. That one loss occurred on October 24th 2024 vs Artur Beterbiev, when Dmitry surrendered his WBA world title belt. ⁠

The co-main event was a heavyweight world title fight for the IBF belt, but since Daniel Dubois had to withdraw due to illness, we will see an on-form Joe Parker (pictured below), fight Martin Bakole instead - there are no titles at stake. This is a massive match-up, with the winner having a potential shot at the undisputed world heavyweight title vs Oleksandr Usyk. 

Elsewhere on the card the undefeated Brit Hamzah Sheeraz (pictured below), will take his maiden world title shot against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames. "Big Bang" Zhang goes up against Agit Kabayel for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title.

There is also mouth-watering all British clash at light-heavyweight, between Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith, with Josh "Just Business" Buatsi's WBO interim title on the line.

Shakur Stevenson's (pictured below) world middleweight championship is on the line against Josh Padley, a late replacement for Floyd Schofield. Vergil Ortiz Jr and Israil Madrimov fight for Ortiz Jr's WBC world interim super welterweight belt. This card is STACKED with titel fights...