EXPLAINER
All to know in regards to the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol light-heavyweight world title struggle, plus Daniel Dubois-Joseph Parker heavyweight preview.
Observe Al Jazeera’s dwell protection of the light-heavyweight title struggle here.
Lower than 5 months since their massively widespread first light-heavyweight world title boxing struggle, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to step into the ring as soon as once more for a blockbuster rematch.
The October 12, 2024 struggle in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, noticed Beterbiev change into the sunshine heavyweight division’s first undisputed champion for the reason that well-known Roy Jones Jr dominated the division between 1999 and 2002.
Additionally a part of the stacked, seven-match struggle card is a world heavyweight title contest between Worldwide Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Daniel Dubois and challenger Joseph Parker.
Right here’s every part you might want to find out about Beterbiev vs Bivol 2:
When is the Beterbiev-Bivol struggle?
- The struggle is on Saturday, February 22.
- Beterbiev and Bivol will start their ring walks at 1am native time (22:00 GMT). The struggle will begin shortly afterwards.
The place is the Beterbiev-Bivol struggle going down?
- Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 will happen on the Kingdom Enviornment within the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh.
The place can I observe the struggle dwell?
- Al Jazeera Sport will present dwell textual content updates and photograph protection of the undercard and essential struggle, starting at 9pm native time (18:00 GMT).
- Beterbiev-Bivol 2 shall be streamed to greater than 200 international locations on DAZN Pay Per View.
What are the pre-fight occasions?
- The Beterbiev vs Bivol weigh-in is scheduled to happen on Friday at 9.30pm (18:30 GMT).
- The primary of the undercard fights (Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith) begins on Saturday at 7.30pm native time (16:30 GMT).
Who’s Artur Beterbiev?
- Artur Beterbiev is a Russian-Canadian skilled boxer of Chechen heritage.
- The 40-year-old is the undisputed light-heavyweight division world champion (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO) since 2024, in addition to the Ring journal and Worldwide Boxing Group (IBO) title holder.
- Beterbiev, who stands 5 toes, 11.5 inches tall (1.82m), stays undefeated as an expert boxer with 21 victories, together with 20 knockouts.
Who’s Dmitry Bivol?
- Dmitry Bivol is a light-weight heavyweight boxer and former World Boxing Affiliation (WBA) champion. The Russian misplaced the WBA title to Artur Beterbiev in October 2024.
- The 33-year-old, who stands six toes tall (1.83m), defended the title a number of occasions, together with victories over high-profile boxers Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in 2022.
- Bivol’s skilled document stands at 23 wins and one loss.
What titles are Beterbiev and Bivol preventing for?
- They’re preventing for the undisputed world mild heavyweight title championship.
- Beterbiev and Bivol will compete for 5 separate titles: WBA, IBF, WBO, World Boxing Council (WBC) and The Ring belts.
Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev, “Story of the Tape” ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/CXzXszWbr9
— Supply of Boxing (@Sourceofboxing) February 10, 2025
What’s the full struggle card?
Dubbed “The Final Crescendo”, the struggle card incorporates a seven-title struggle 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 light-weight 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’s preventing in the principle undercard occasion?
- In a match that might usually take high billing because the headline struggle, British heavyweight Daniel Dubois will defend his IBF world title in opposition to Joseph Parker.
- Dubois, 27, returns to the ring in Riyadh after making a spectacular first defence of his IBF belt in opposition to Anthony Joshua. Dubois knocked out his British rival inside 5 rounds at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
- Parker held the WBO title between 2016 and 2018 earlier than dropping a unanimous factors resolution to Joshua. The 32-year-old New Zealander upset former WBC champion Deontay Wilder final yr earlier than beating Zhilei Zhang to win the WBO interim title in March.
What’s the struggle purse?
- The entire prize cash for Beterbiev vs Bivol 1 was reportedly $20m, with the purse break up evenly between the fighters.
- For Beterbiev vs Bivol 2, the prize cash on supply is predicted to exceed the $20m.
Who received the primary Bivol vs Beterbiev struggle?
- Beterbiev received the primary struggle on factors by a slender margin in October 2024.
- Two judges scored Beterbiev successful 115-113 and 116-112, whereas the remaining choose had the competition a 114-114 draw.
What has Beterbiev stated in regards to the rematch?
“It’s a superb feeling [to be the champion],” Beterbiev stated on the pre-fight press convention in January. “My objective now’s to maintain my belts. I’ll do my finest to do this.
“He has revenge if he needs revenge, no downside. I have to be higher sufficient to win. Massive, small or medium, I don’t know, however I have to be higher sufficient to win.
“I don’t know [why I did not knock him out]. He was fortunate that night time. I feel February 22, we’re going to see a superb struggle. My message is be prepared, nothing extra.”
What has Bivol stated in regards to the rematch?
“I hope I can provide a greater efficiency than I did earlier than, and I imagine I will be the winner of this struggle,” Bivol informed The Stomping Floor.
“To change into undisputed would imply I’ve finished properly. It’s the ultimate step on this weight class, and the proof for myself. I’m glad that I’ve this opportunity.”
