Latest news with #Beterbiev-Bivol2
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joseph Parker targets heavyweight's biggest names, feels 'screwed' by boxing's power brokers after Dubois drama
Joseph Parker has three targets in sight for his next fight: Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Dubois or Anthony Joshua. One of those bouts would've already happened had IBF heavyweight champion Dubois not been forced from his fight with Parker on just over two days' notice last week. The pair were scheduled to clash on the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol 2 undercard, but Martin Bakole replaced Dubois at the last minute after Dubois was ruled unfit to proceed with the bout. "We were heading to the press conference, and all I heard was, 'No, this is not true, this is not true.' I said, 'What's wrong, Andy [Lee — Parker's head coach]?' And he showed me all these articles [from] The Ring about Dubois being ill and [the] possibility of [him] pulling out of the fight," Parker explained to Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show." "That was when we first heard about it. [We] got to the press conference, and then we heard more that [the fight] probably won't happen." As soon as news of Dubois' likely withdrawal was learned, Spencer Brown, Parker's manager, went to work to seek a suitable replacement. Numerous fighters threw their names into the hat, but Parker informed Brown that he wanted the toughest fight that could be made on short notice. "All these names started coming on board of who we can have as a replacement," Parker said. "There was [Lawrence] Okolie, there was Bakole, there was Joe Joyce, and there were a few other names. One thing I said to Spencer was, 'Get me Bakole,' because that's the fight that gets me amped up and gets me excited about still being involved in this big event that happened on the 22nd of February." Bakole was coming off an upset knockout win over American heavyweight Jared Anderson and consequently was viewed as a fighter many would like to avoid. Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel had been ordered to face Bakole in late 2024 and decided against it, choosing to box each other on the Beterbiev-Bivol 2 card instead. "I feel the same way [that Bakole's team thought Parker wouldn't accept Bakole as a replacement]," Parker told Uncrowned. "With Martin, he's the boogeyman. I know he didn't get the best notice, but he did take the fight, and he did actually believe that he was going to come in there and knock me out. We did call their bluff and accepted the fight. When I heard that Martin Bakole was locked in for me, I was like, "Yes!" I have a fight, and I'm fighting one of the best fighters out there." Parker floored Bakole with a right-hand temple shot in the second round of their fight, and Bakole was pulled out by his trainer Billy Nelson after the knockdown. "I feel that Martin Bakole came with the utmost belief that he was going to beat me. Even though he [didn't have a] full camp, he believed [that he was going to win]. We had sparring sessions together, so [I know] he fully believed he was going to knock me out. Just cause that punch landed on the top of his head — it could've went a different way. Imagine we're sitting here talking like he won the fight, or imagine we're sitting here talking like it was a longer fight than what actually went down, it would be a different conversation altogether. He did believe that he was going to knock me out, he's a great fighter Martin Bakole, he's got great timing, and some of the punches he landed did hurt, and it still hurts now." Even a week after Dubois' pullout, we are no closer to learning the reason behind the move and what specifically the medical issue was. Just days after Dubois withdrew, unified heavyweight champion Usyk stated that he would like to box Dubois next in a four-belt unification matchup, and focus seems to have shifted toward that fight rather than scheduling Dubois-Parker, much to the annoyance of Parker. "It feels weird because [Dubois] was at the public workout and then, just like that, he got real ill and there was no real statement," Parker said. "There's no real proof or doctors, there's nothing. Even after the fight, nothing has come out. It feels a bit weird. It feels a bit strange that during that time that Usyk started calling out Dubois saying he wants him next — I'm not saying he wasn't ill or he was ill, I'm just saying I'm not sure what's happening." If Dubois and Usyk were to face each other next, it would tie up all the belts and leave WBO interim champion Parker waiting even longer for a world championship opportunity. Parker previously held the WBO title from 2016 until he lost it in 2018 to Joshua. The New Zealander has now won twelve out of his last thirteen fights, which includes a six-fight, two-year unbeaten streak. "It does feel like that way [that we're being screwed]," Parker acknowledged. "It feels like we're so close to fighting for a world title, [and] then all of a sudden he got sick, and now they're lining up this big fight with Usyk and Dubois. I'm not sure what we need to do in order to lock in a championship of the world fight. I think we've done everything asked of [us], and hopefully we can lock in a championship of the world fight "I'd love the opportunity just to test myself against Usyk. Usyk is a great fighter, I'd love to see what I'm capable of doing against someone like that." Parker wants to challenge either Usyk or Dubois, with his preference being a fight against the three-belt titleholder from Ukraine, but neither fight seems likely to occur next, leaving the former champion potentially exploring a rematch with Joshua. When the pair met in a 2018 unification bout, Joshua won a wide decision over Parker in Cardiff, Wales. "As we focus on myself and my career, [Usyk, Joshua, and Dubois] would be the next in line," Parker told Uncrowned. "I think [Joshua would accept the fight]. As a fighter, we back ourselves 100%. Anytime, anywhere, anyplace against anyone. I think he would accept the fight with me, but it'll be a very different fight to the fight that we had in 2018. Obviously, we're both different fighters now: both more mature, older, and wiser. I feel like the fighter that I was before — sometimes I look back and go, 'Who is that guy?'"
USA Today
22-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What time is Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev fight? Walk-in time for Saturday fight
What time is Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev fight? Walk-in time for Saturday fight Artur Beterbiev will face Dmitry Bivol in a rematch titled "The Last Crescendo," with the highly coveted undisputed light heavyweight title on the line at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia. Beterbiev, known for his aggressive style and powerful punches, enters the ring with a perfect record of 21 wins, with 20 of the victories coming by knockout. He handed Bivol the loss in their first meeting, where Bivol went down via majority decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last year, awarding Beterbiev the WBA title and making him the undisputed light heavyweight champion. Bivol, with a record of 23 wins and one loss, including 12 victories by knockout, is fueled by a fierce determination to reclaim his title with a vengeance. The seven fights on the card are all must-watch events, rumored to be one of the best nights in boxing. Here is the expected time that Beterbiev-Bivol 2 will enter the ring to ensure you don't miss any must-see action. More: Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull: What we know and who Canelo will fight after When does Beterbiev-Bivol 2 fight start? The Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 fight card consists of seven fights and will begin at 11:45 a.m. ET. The ring-walk for the main event between Beterbiev and Bivol is expected to be around 6 p.m. ET. But the duration of the undercard will have an impact on when Beterbiev and Bivol actually start. How to stream Beterbiev-Bivol 2 fight Fans can stream the event on DAZN. The fight card begins at 11:45 a.m. ET. Watch Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 with DAZN PPV Beterbiev-Bivol 2 date, time, live stream Date: Saturday, Feb. 22 Saturday, Feb. 22 Fight card start time: 11:45 a.m. ET 11:45 a.m. ET Beterbiev-Bivol 2 ring walks (approximately): 6 p.m. ET 6 p.m. ET TV: Card on DAZN starting at 11:45 a.m. ET Card on DAZN starting at 11:45 a.m. ET Streaming: DAZN Beterbiev-Bivol 2 fight card Undisputed light heavyweight title fight: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol IBF heavyweight title: Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker WBC lightweight title: Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley WBC middleweight title: Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz WBC world interim super welterweight title: Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov WBC interim heavyweight title: Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel WBO light heavyweight interim title: Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
USA Today
21-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Beterbiev-Bivol 2 fight: TV, time and how to watch 'The Last Crescendo' card
Artur Beterbiev is set to face Dmitry Bivol in a rematch of epic proportions titled "The Last Crescendo." The highly coveted undisputed light heavyweight title is on the line and will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. As Beterbiev steps into the ring with a perfect record of 21 wins, 20 of which came by knockout, the intensity of the competition is palpable. His opponent, Bivol, with a record of 23 wins and one loss, including 12 knockouts, is fueled by a fierce determination to reclaim his title with a vindication. Bivol's one loss comes from Beterbiev, after falling via majority decision in October 2024. The Beterbiev-Bivol 2 card will feature seven fights, rumored to be one of the best nights in boxing. Here's how to watch all the action. More:Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull: Date, time and what we know How to stream Beterbiev-Bivol 2 fight Fans can stream the event on DAZN. The fight card begins at 11:45 a.m. ET. Beterbiev-Bivol 2 date, time, live stream Date: Saturday, Feb. 22 Saturday, Feb. 22 Fight card start time: 11:45 a.m. ET 11:45 a.m. ET Beterbiev-Bivol 2 ring walks (approximately): 6 p.m. ET 6 p.m. ET TV: Card on DAZN starting at 11:45 a.m. ET Card on DAZN starting at 11:45 a.m. ET Streaming: DAZN Beterbiev-Bivol 2 fight card Undisputed light heavyweight title fight: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol IBF heavyweight title: Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole WBC lightweight title: Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley WBC middleweight title: Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz WBC world interim super welterweight title: Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov WBC interim heavyweight title: Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel WBO light heavyweight interim title: Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
USA Today
21-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Beterbiev-Bivol 2 fight: Predictions and odds for 'The Last Crescendo'
Artur Beterbiev is set to square off against Dmitry Bivol in a rematch of epic proportions, aptly named "The Last Crescendo." The highly coveted undisputed light heavyweight title is on the line, promising a showdown of unparalleled intensity. This must-see boxing event will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. As Beterbiev steps into the ring with an unblemished record of 21 wins, 20 of which were by knockout, the anticipation is palpable. His opponent, Bivol, brings a record of 23 wins and one loss, with 12 knockouts under his belt. Bivol's relentless drive to reclaim his title after a narrow loss to Beterbiev in October 2024 adds to the high-stakes rematch. The Beterbiev-Bivol 2 card is expected to be one of the best nights in boxing. Here are the latest predictions and odds for Beterbiev-Bivol 2. More:Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull: Date, time and what we know Beterbiev-Bivol 2 predictions BetMGM: Bivol will get the decision victory Anatoly Pimentel writes: "I predict that Bivol will get the decision victory in this championship rematch against Beterbiev because he has shown that he can take Beterbiev's best shots. Furthermore, he was able to develop an effective fight plan against him from their first meeting. Bivol used his soviet style conclusively to counter Beterbiev's aggressiveness and powerful punches. However, the only mistake he committed during the first fight was he relaxed in the latter rounds of the match." Forbes: Dmitry Bivol to beat Artur Beterbiev via decision Staff writes: "This fight could go either way. It really is a 50-50 pick. However, Bivol has more adjustments he can make in this rematch and the fact that none of those changes are earth-shattering has me leaning in his favor. The betting pick is Dmitry Bivol to beat Artur Beterbiev via decision." CBS Sports: Dmitry Bivol Brent Brookhouse: "This fight really is a toss-up and the first fight was extremely close. That said, the majority of media scorecards were tilted toward Bivol, with another significant chunk seeing the fight as a draw. As good as Beterbiev is, Bivol is the man I believe who has the better chance to make significant adjustments to his style for the rematch. Beterbiev is who he is: an underrated technician who wants to come forward and land his heavy punches. Bivol has a bit more flexibility to his game and in such a close fight, I'd go toward the guy who arguably deserved the win the first time around and who is more likely to make necessary adjustments for the rematch, especially as a slight underdog." Beterbiev-Bivol 2 betting Odds According to BetMGM, Artur Beterbiev is the early favorite heading into the rematch against Dmitry Bivol. Artur Beterbiev: -120 Dmitry Bivol: +105 Tie: +1400 How to watch Beterbiev-Bivol 2 Date: Saturday, Feb. 22 Saturday, Feb. 22 Fight card start time: 11:45 a.m. ET 11:45 a.m. ET Beterbiev-Bivol 2 ring walks (approximately): 6 p.m. ET 6 p.m. ET TV: Card on DAZN starting at 11:45 a.m. ET Card on DAZN starting at 11:45 a.m. ET Streaming: DAZN We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
Al Jazeera
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 boxing: Start time, fight card, how to watch
EXPLAINER All to know about the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol light-heavyweight world title fight, plus Daniel Dubois-Joseph Parker heavyweight preview. By Published On 20 Feb 2025 Less than five months since their hugely popular first light-heavyweight world title boxing fight, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to step into the ring once again for a blockbuster rematch. The October 12, 2024 fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saw Beterbiev become the light heavyweight division's first undisputed champion since the famous Roy Jones Jr ruled the division between 1999 and 2002. Also part of the stacked, seven-match fight card is a world heavyweight title contest between International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Daniel Dubois and challenger Joseph Parker. Here's everything you need to know about Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: When is the Beterbiev-Bivol fight? The fight is on Saturday, February 22. Beterbiev and Bivol will begin their ring walks at 1am local time (22:00 GMT). The fight will start shortly afterwards. Where is the Beterbiev-Bivol fight taking place? Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 will take place at the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh. Where can I follow the fight live? Al Jazeera Sport will provide live text updates and photo coverage of the undercard and main fight, beginning at 9pm local time (18:00 GMT). Beterbiev-Bivol 2 will be streamed to more than 200 countries on DAZN Pay Per View. What are the pre-fight events? The Beterbiev vs Bivol weigh-in is scheduled to take place on Friday at 9.30pm (18:30 GMT). The first of the undercard fights (Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith) begins on Saturday at 7.30pm local time (16:30 GMT). Who is Artur Beterbiev? Artur Beterbiev is a Russian-Canadian professional boxer of Chechen heritage. The 40-year-old is the undisputed light-heavyweight division world champion (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO) since 2024, as well as the Ring magazine and International Boxing Organization (IBO) title holder. Beterbiev, who stands five feet, 11.5 inches tall (1.82m), remains undefeated as a professional boxer with 21 victories, including 20 knockouts. Who is Dmitry Bivol? Dmitry Bivol is a light heavyweight boxer and former World Boxing Association (WBA) champion. The Russian lost the WBA title to Artur Beterbiev in October 2024. The 33-year-old, who stands six feet tall (1.83m), defended the title multiple times, including victories over high-profile boxers Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez in 2022. Bivol's professional record stands at 23 wins and one loss. What titles are Beterbiev and Bivol fighting for? They are fighting for the undisputed world light heavyweight title championship. Beterbiev and Bivol will compete for five separate titles: WBA, IBF, WBO, World Boxing Council (WBC) and The Ring belts. What is the full fight card? Dubbed 'The Last Crescendo', the fight card features a seven-title fight lineup: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol (IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO light-heavyweight titles) Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker (IBF heavyweight title) Shakur Stevenson vs Floyd Schofield (WBC lightweight title) Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz (WBC middleweight title) Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov (Interim WBC heavyweight title) Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel (Interim WBC heavyweight title) Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith (Interim WBO light-heavyweight title) Who is fighting in the main undercard event? In a match that would normally take top billing as the headline fight, British heavyweight Daniel Dubois will defend his IBF world title against Joseph Parker. Dubois, 27, returns to the ring in Riyadh after making a spectacular first defence of his IBF belt against Anthony Joshua. Dubois knocked out his British rival inside five rounds at Wembley Stadium in September 2024. Parker held the WBO title between 2016 and 2018 before losing a unanimous points decision to Joshua. The 32-year-old New Zealander upset former WBC champion Deontay Wilder last year before beating Zhilei Zhang to win the WBO interim title in March. What is the fight purse? The total prize money for Beterbiev vs Bivol 1 was reportedly $20m, with the purse split evenly between the fighters. For Beterbiev vs Bivol 2, the prize money on offer is expected to exceed the $20m. Who won the first Bivol vs Beterbiev fight? Beterbiev won the first fight on points by a narrow margin in October 2024. Two judges scored Beterbiev winning 115-113 and 116-112, while the remaining judge had the contest a 114-114 draw. What has Beterbiev said about the rematch? 'It's a good feeling [to be the champion],' Beterbiev said at the pre-fight press conference in January. 'My goal now is to keep my belts. I will do my best to do that. 'He has revenge if he wants revenge, no problem. I need to be better enough to win. Big, small or medium, I don't know, but I need to be better enough to win. 'I don't know [why I did not knock him out]. He was lucky that night. I think February 22, we are going to see a good fight. My message is be ready, nothing more.' What has Bivol said about the rematch? 'I hope I can give a better performance than I did before, and I believe I can be the winner of this fight,' Bivol told The Stomping Ground. 'To become undisputed would mean I've done well. It's the final step in this weight class, and the proof for myself. I'm happy that I have this chance.'
