RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 21: Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol face off during the weigh-in … [+] ahead of their IBF, WBO, WBC and IBO World Light Heavyweight title fight as part of Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at Boulevard Fountain on February 21, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Today, Saturday, February 22, brings boxing fans one of the most anticipated events of 2025. Although today’s “Last Crescendo” card saw two of the original seven title fights fall through, the event will still have that number of matchups where gold will be on the line. The main event matchup is a light heavyweight scrap between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Beterbiev, the undisputed light heavyweight champion, puts his WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring titles against the man he defeated in October to earn the undisputed champ tag in Bivol. We look at that fight, as well as the six other title fights on today’s Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 fight card.
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 Full Card
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol for the Undisputed light heavyweight title fight. For Beterbiev’s WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring belts
Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole – For Parkers’ WBO interim heavyweight title
Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley – For Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title
Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz – For Adames’ WBC middleweight title
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs. Israil Madrimov – For Ortiz Jr’s WBC world interim super welterweight title
Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel – For the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title
Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith – For Buatsi’s WBO light heavyweight interim title
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 Fight Card Changes
Daniel Dubois Vs. Joseph Parker Off
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 21: Joseph Parker on the scales during the weigh-in as part of … [+] Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at on February 21, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images).
The co-main event of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol card was initially Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker for Dubois’ IBF title. However, Parker fell ill on Thursday and was pulled from the fight and replaced by Martin Bakole, who is the No. 2 fighter in the WBO rankings.
No information was given on the nature of Parker’s illness.
“If he is ill, I hope he gets better soon and I’m looking forward to Saturday and having a great show,” Parker said before learning of the replacement.
Shakur Stevenson Vs. Floyd Schofield Off
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 21: Shakur Stevenson and Josh Padley face off during the weigh-in as … [+] part of Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at on February 21, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images).
Shakur Stevenson was expected to defend his WBC lightweight title against Floyd Schofield, but early in fight week, Schofield withdrew from the fight due to illness. With Schofield out, Josh Padley steps in. Padley is ranked by the IBF (10), WBC (12), and WBO (7).
Stevenson was not surprised to learn that Schofield would not be his opponent in Riyadh.
“I was already kind of expecting it. I knew the kid was scared from the start, scared from the jump,” said Stevenson.
“I seen him he was definitely scared. He’s a punk.”
Beterbiev Vs Bivol 2 Betting Odds
Artur Beterbiev (-125) vs. Dmitry Bivol (+105)
Joseph Parker (-180) vs. Martin Bakole (+150)
Shakur Stevenson (-20000) vs. Josh Padley (+2000)
Carlos Adames (+220) vs. Hamzah Sheeraz (-280)
Vergil Ortiz Jr (-120) vs. Israil Madrimov (-110)
Zhilei Zhang (+130) vs. Agit Kabayel (-160)
Joshua Buatsi (-200) vs. Callum Smith (+160)
*Odds via BetOnline
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 Date
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 Time
Start time is expected to be 1 p.m. ET
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 Location
Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 How To Watch Or Stream
DAZN Pay-Per-View
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 PPV Price
$25.99
Beterbiev Vs Bivol 2 Scheduled Ring Walk Times
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: 6:00 p.m. ET
Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole: 4:40 p.m. ET
Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley: 3:35 p.m. ET
Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz: 2:35 p.m. ET
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs. Israil Madrimov: 1:40 p.m. ET
Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel: 12:40 p.m. ET
Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith: 11:45 a.m ET
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 1 Full Fight Video
When Beterbiev and Bivol first met, Beterbiev sported a 20-0 record and was coming off a January 2024 TKO win over Callum Smith. With that victory, Beterbiev retained the WBC, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles. Meanwhile, Bivol, who was 23-0, had retained his WBA belt with a June 2024 TKO victory over Malik Zinad. The betting odds at the time had Bivol as the -126 favorite to defeat Beterbiev, who was listed as the +104 betting underdog. At the time, both men were ranked inside the pound-for-pound top 10-list.
When the 12-round fight ended, the light heavyweight division had its first undisputed champion since Roy Jones Jr. ruled the division between 1999 and 2002. The fight ended with Beterbiev earning the decision with scorecards of 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. It was the first time in his career that Beterbiev had not earned a victory via knockout.
After the fight, Beterbiev said, “I wanted to box today with more quality. I don’t know why, but I didn’t like this fight. But I’ll be better one day. … If His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] wants [the rematch], then we can do it.”
“I’m aware I have to do everything perfect, and I don’t have any explanation because it could look like excuses,” Bivol said. “I just [give] congratulations to Artur and his team. He deserves it, no problem. I just have time to make another decision for my future.”
When asked if he wanted a rematch, Bivol responded, “Why not? … If I have this chance, yes. This is my dream to be undisputed.”
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 Tale Of The Tape
Artur Beterbiev
Record: 21-0-0 with 20 knockouts
Age: 40
Height: 6’0″
Reach: 72.8″
Stance: Orthodox
Dmitry Bivol
Record: 23-1-0 with 12 knockouts
Age: 34
Height: 6’0″
Reach: 72″
Stance: Orthodox
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 Breakdown
The only fighter to go the distance with Beterbiev, Bivol looks to even the score with the man who handed him his first career loss. It won’t be easy for Bivol to achieve that goal, but he is a live underdog in this rematch.
Had Bivol been more active in the the first matchup, which ended with scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114, he could be the one entering this fight as the undisputed light heavyweight champ. Bivol fought well behind his jab early in the first outing, pressuring Beterbiev and also scoring with counters when he backed up on an angle. However, Bivol got away from both those techniques as the fight wore on. He went long periods of time retreating while not throwing punches. Bivol also allowed Beterbiev to get a read on his footwork, which allowed him to cut off Bivol and tag him with counters.
As for Beterbiev, he can’t allow Bivol to control the pace of the fight at all. He needs to move forward and stick to his opponent from the start of the fight. Beterbiev had a lot of success in the first bout when he followed that game plan, especially when Bivol began to back up in a straight line and not put forth any offense. Beterbiev must correct his tendency to leap into his punches in the rematch, because Bivol was able to time those attacks well.
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2: Prop Bets To Consider
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 21: Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol face off during the weigh-in … [+] as part of Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at on February 21, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images).
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 to go the distance: -240
Beterbiev to beat Bivol via knockout: +900
Beterbiev to beat Bivol by technical knockout: +300
Beterbiev to beat Bivol by unanimous decision: +400
Beterbiev to beat Bivol by split decision: +1000
Beterbiev to score a knockdown: +120
Beterbiev to beat Bivol by majority decision: +2200
Bivol to beat Beterbiev by unanimous decision: +240
Bivol to beat Beterbiev by split decision: +700
Bivol to beat Beterbiev by majority decision: +1200
Will Bivol be knocked down and win: +1800
Total knockdowns in fight 1+: -130
Beterbiev to throw more punches than Bivol: -900
Beterbiev to land more punches than Bivol: -135
Bivol to land more punches than Beterbiev: +105
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2: Odds, Lines, Prop Bets, Predictions And Picks
Beterbiev Vs. Bivol 2 Tale Of The Tape
Artur Beterbiev
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 21: Artur Beterbiev poses for a photo during the weigh-in ahead of … [+] his IBF, WBO, WBC and IBO World Light Heavyweight title fight against Dmitrii Bivol as part of Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at Boulevard Fountain on February 21, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Record: 21-0-0 with 20 knockouts
Age: 40
Height: 6’0″
Reach: 72.8″
Stance: Orthodox
Dmitry Bivol
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 21: Dmitrii Bivol on the scales during the weigh-in as part of … [+] Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at on February 21, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images).
Record: 23-1-0 with 12 knockouts
Age: 34
Height: 6’0″
Reach: 72″
Stance: Orthodox
We will have more on today’s Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 card during the event, including full fight card results, reactions, video highlights and more.
