Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol II: The Epic Rematch in Riyadh
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Get ready, fight fans! The highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol is officially set for February 22, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This showdown, dubbed “The Last Crescendo,” will be the main event during the Riyadh Season, featuring an impressive lineup of championship fights. After their first battle in October, where Beterbiev edged out Bivol by a narrow majority decision, everyone is buzzing for this one!
The First Fight: A Nail-Biter
In their first matchup, Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) faced off against Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) in a bout that had fans on the edge of their seats. Beterbiev, at 39 years old and known for his knockout power, went the distance for the first time in his career. Bivol, 33, was looking to defend his title, and despite landing more punches overall (142 to 134), it was Beterbiev’s precision that made the difference. He landed 90 power shots compared to Bivol’s 84, highlighting how razor-thin the margin was. This first fight left everyone wanting more, and now we’re gearing up for a rematch that promises to be even more intense!
A Stacked Undercard to Excite
The card for February 22 is packed with some of the biggest names in boxing, making this a must-watch event. One of the highlights is the heavyweight title clash between Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) and former champ Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs). Dubois is riding a three-fight win streak after a tough loss to Oleksandr Usyk, while Parker is on a five-fight win streak, looking to prove he’s still a force in the ring.
In the lightweight division, Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) will take on the undefeated Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs). Schofield earned this shot after calling out Stevenson following a win last month, and their back-and-forth on social media has built some serious hype. This matchup is one boxing fan won’t want to miss!
Next, we have Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) defending his WBC middleweight title against Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs). Adames has faced challenges with inactivity but is currently on a six-fight win streak and looking to keep that momentum against Sheeraz, who has earned his title shot after an impressive stoppage win.
Title Fights and Rising Stars
But wait, there’s more! The interim junior middleweight title is up for grabs as Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) faces Israil Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs). Ortiz is known for his knockout power and is fresh off a narrow victory over Serhii Bohachuk. Madrimov is eager to bounce back after a loss to Terence Crawford, so expect fireworks in this bout.
Don’t forget about Joshua Buatsi (19-0, 13 KOs), who will defend his WBO interim light heavyweight title against Callum Smith (30-2, 22 KOs). Both fighters are in their prime, making this another exciting match on the card.
Finally, the event kicks off with Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs) going head-to-head with Agit Kabayel (25-0, 17 KOs) for the WBC interim heavyweight title. Zhang is coming off a sensational knockout of Deontay Wilder, while Kabayel has been steadily climbing the ranks.
With all this talent on display and the high stakes of the main event, the Beterbiev vs. Bivol II rematch is shaping up to be one of the biggest boxing nights of 2024. Mark your calendars and get ready for a night of thrilling action in Riyadh that boxing fans won’t want to miss!
