Artur Beterbiev will defend the undisputed light-heavyweight titles in a rematch with Dmitry Bivol tonight, four months after their first fight for all the major belts.
In October, the unbeaten Beterbiev won a controversial decision against Bivol to leave Saudi Arabia as the undisputed light-heavyweight king – while Bivol suffered the first loss of his professional career.
Now, Bivol bids for revenge as he returns to Riyadh to box Beterbiev again, and the fight follows Joseph Parker and a devastating knockout victory over Martin Bakole in the co-main event of a stacked card.
Parker was due to challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title, but the champion withdrew due to illness on Thursday. As a result, Parker faced what many have claimed to be the “most-avoided” heavyweight in boxing on just two days’ notice. But the Kiwi had no problems dishing out a crushing second round stoppage.
Follow live updates and results from Beterbiev vs Bivol 2, Parker vs Bakole, and the full undercard:
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 and Parker vs Bakole
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Artur Beterbiev (champion) vs Dmitry Bivol 2 (undisputed light-heavyweight titles) – 10.30pm GMT
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Joseph Parker smashes Martin Bakole in two rounds following Daniel Dubois withdrawal after illness
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Stevenson eventually stops late-notice underdog Padley to stay champion
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Sheeraz handed lucky draw to stay unbeaten as Adames keeps WBC middleweight strap
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Ortiz Jr outpoints Madrimov to keep WBC interim super-welterweight title
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Kabayel climbs off canvas to stop Zhang and win vacant WBC interim heavyweight title
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Smith wins firefight to hand Buatsi his first loss and take WBO interim light-heavyweight belt
Bivol on top against Beterbiev in engrossing undisputed rematch
23:11 , Jack Rathborn
Round 3
Get ready for a war, as Beterbiev revs the engine a little, storming out to force Bivol into a short sprint.
Winging right misses by miles, Bivol dancing tonight, it’s early but this is a wonderful start for the challenger.
Beterbiev and Bivol engage in fiery start to rematch
23:08 , Jack Rathborn
Round 2
Bivol is electric, jabbing but then pouncing on his rival with volume. Down low now with the jab, Beterbiev computing what is in front of him.
RIGHT HAND! Huge shot but Beterbiev undeterred…
Beterbiev *slightly* flustered, ragged at the end of the round as Bivol starts to emit some swagger. That’s another round to the challenger, it was a check, counter right hand and then Bivol punched home a few jabs. Marvellous. 2-0.
Beterbiev and Bivol begin rematch for undisputed title
23:02 , Jack Rathborn
Round 1
Here we go! Both fighters jabbing as we begin ‘Round 13’… The atmosphere? There is one suddenly, shouts from the fans.
The champion doubles it up, gets a little closer, reaching down to the body.
Bivol shuffles clockwise… Beterbiev seizing the centre of the ring.
Saudi national anthem rings out minutes before Beterbiev v Bivol 2
22:57 , Jack Rathborn
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 moments away in Riyadh
22:55 , Jack Rathborn
Here comes Bivol, business mode… A silver gown, sleeveless, he looks dialled in. It’s a shortened ring walk…
Now the champion…
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 moments away in Riyadh
22:52 , Jack Rathborn
OK, here we go… Michael Buffer has cleared his throat…
The undisputed rematch is here, will it live up to the expectations and hype?
Turki Alalshikh provides update on boxing schedule in 2025
22:43 , Jack Rathborn
“We have around 7,000, they came from the beginning, each fight can be a main event,” Turki Alalshikh says on DAZN.
“It is big and it is the best, we will have a lot of updates coming this year, next Eubank v Benn at Tottenham Stadium, New York, Haney, Canelo on 3 May, then the big fight with Canelo v Crawford in September, Haney Garcia in October and Inoue in November.
“We’re talking with Queensberry and Matchroom in July – five vs five again. If I think Matchroom has a chance [against Oscar De Le Hoya], I’ll do it [5 vs 5].”
Joseph Parker TKO2 Martin Bakole
22:38 , Jack Rathborn
Parker reacts to big win over Bakole
22:33 , Jack Rathborn
“I’m fit, strong, healthy and sharp,” Parker says.
“Andy (Lee) broke it down for me, can I fight for the world title next?
“If Usyk wants a dance partner? I want to fight for a world title again.
“That’s the best way. Catch them when they’re coming in.I will fight anyone and everyone.”
Parker makes huge statement to pour doubt on Usyk v Dubois 2
22:30 , Jack Rathborn
Top of the head, Bakole took a moment, swaying from side to side, then crumbled in the ring.
Parker made room to his left and looped the right over the top and clipped Bakole’s head. Devastating.
Dubois has the belt, but can the optics of Usyk fighting Dubois next? Fans will have legitimate arguments that Parker might have beaten Dubois tonight.
Parker knocks out Bakole with devastating shot in round two!
22:27 , Jack Rathborn
A war, a shoot-out… Parker has wiped out Bakole, GAME OVER!
That is genuine, game-changing power from the Kiwi, he is a problem and now arguably entering his peak moment as a professional.
This looks a more polished Parker, since the first world title reign.
Savvy and patient, but now with that extraordinary power to turn his opponent upside down!
How can Oleksandr Usyk fight Daniel Dubois after that?
Parker vs Bakole
22:25
Round 2
That one almost erupted in the final seconds of the round, the menacing Bakole looked outraged and furious as that body shot snuck in, with the niceties discarded briefly. Chess match? It can’t last, Bakole with an uppercut, then a swiping left. He’s so upright, straight forward, he wants to walk through Parker and swat him away like a fly. Parker’s nose has a red blemish.
Good body shot, Bakole! The uppercut just before too, Parker dragged into an energy-sapping slug-fest. Then Parker detonates, Bakole barely shook… KABOOM!! Bakole on the deck, it’s a HUGE SHOT!
Parker vs Bakole
22:22 , Jack Rathborn
Round 1
Bakole is HUGE, at 315 pounds, his mid-section is extraordinarily round, with the tartan trunks, adopted by Scotland, can he shake up the heavyweight division? He’s plodding forward, jabbing with his right hand tucked in by his waist in that southpaw stance. Some speed, too!
Parker figuring this out on the fly, looking to box behind the jab, but Bakole is ominously poised to unleash bombs.
Joseph Parker battles Martin Bakole after Daniel Dubois’ dramatic late withdrawal
22:19 , Jack Rathborn
Right then, stepping in for Alex for this one, and it is one of the most anticipated fights after just two days since its confirmation.
It’s peculiar, strange and yet intriguing for the glamour division in the sport.
Joseph Parker boxes Martin Bakole on two days’ notice after Daniel Dubois falls ill
22:10
Joseph Parker would not want your pity, not least because he expects to beat Martin Bakole tonight. But the reality is, the New Zealander has taken a massive, surely unnecessary risk on two day’s notice: a risk to his legacy, his future earnings, and his health.
Forty-eight hours before fight night, a night on which Parker was due to box for a world title for the first time in seven years, he found that the mechanism of his redemption lacked a crucial cog: a world champion to beat.
Daniel Dubois fell ill, then fell out of his IBF title defence against Parker, guaranteeing that the latter will not become a two-time world champion this weekend. Now, the fear among those who sympathise with the “nicest guy in boxing” is that Parker may never become a two-time champion.
To be clear: the odds rightly favour Parker in his clash with Bakole, who replaces Dubois on two days’ notice. And yet there is no doubt: accepting a short-notice fight with Bakole, the “most-avoided” heavyweight in boxing, is a major risk.
That fight is just seconds away. Full preview here:
Money, legacy, health: Joseph Parker is risking it all on two days’ notice
Stevenson eventually stops late-notice underdog Padley to stay champion
21:57 , Alex Pattle
Round nine
Finally Padley goes down! A southpaw cross drops him! He thuds the mat with his glove, showing his annoyance.
Padley is back up, and Shakur is landing again – but Padley is, too! His courage has been something to see.
Oh! Down goes Padley again, this time from a body shot. He’s up again, to cheers in the Kingdom Arena!
Another body shot puts down Padley again, and he’s up in time for the bell, but the towel comes in!! It’s all over!
Boos from the crowd.
Shakur Stevenson def. Josh Padley via TKO (corner stoppage, 3:00)
Shakur Stevenson (C) vs Josh Padley – WBC lightweight title
21:44 , Alex Pattle
Round six
Padley with a slightly messy but successful combination at close range.
Shakur with a big right hook to the head, and Padley retreats. Now Shakur lands to the body, before teeing off to the head with a trio of spiteful, straight punches!
Padley’s head is rocked back badly by each one, yet still he keeps throwing!
Now Padley is backed up to the ropes, and Shakur is pouring on the offence, seeking a finish…
But back comes Padley! How?! The crowd cheers, and Shakur looks out into the stands in disbelief!
Padley is a winner tonight, no matter what. Every time Shakur has a spell of success, Padley defiantly throws a combo of his own!
Shakur Stevenson (C) vs Josh Padley – WBC lightweight title
21:36 , Alex Pattle
Round four
Shakur steps in with a straight, and Padley retaliates with a hook. He then chases Shakur into the corner with another hook, but he smothers his work slightly.
Padley is struggling with Shakur’s jab again. Now Shakur steps back to evade a cross to the body.
It is silent in the arena, by the way.
Shakur Stevenson (C) vs Josh Padley – WBC lightweight title
21:24 , Alex Pattle
Round one
At just 27, Shakur is already a three-weight champion.
But he needs a big showing after a few uninspired performances – especially as Padley is stepping in on short notice and isn’t considered in the same league.
Yet Padley, 29, is unbeaten, upset Mark Chamberlain last time out, and he’ll back himself.
In fact, the orthodox boxer backs up his southpaw opponent and lands a couple of decent rights!
Hard left hook the body after a right cross upstairs. Shakur tries to laugh it off.
Sheeraz handed lucky draw to stay unbeaten as Adames keeps WBC middleweight strap
21:05 , Alex Pattle
Round 12
Sheeraz’s corner tells him he needs a knockout! I’d agree. Here we go, can he produce it??
Adames starts stronger, with short shots at close range. Sheeraz comes back with a left hook – and another. A cross just about gets through for Adames. Sheeraz barely misses with a hard hook attempt.
More pressure from Adames. Jab upstairs, jab to the body. Sheeraz with a double-jab, right hand, but they don’t land with any power.
Adames is going after the challenger now! Great engine and intent from the champ! Sheeraz with a decent left hook…
We’ll go to the scorecards. Adames has SURELY done enough.
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz ends as split draw (114-115, 118-110, 114-114)
My word. Adames is denied a rightful win – yet another fight tonight with poor, poor scoring. Sheeraz stays unbeaten, Adames keeps his belt at least.
Ortiz Jr outpoints Madrimov to keep WBC interim super-welterweight title
20:01 , Alex Pattle
Round 12
Three more minutes!
Lots of grappling, with intermittent exchanges. Ortiz Jr is just getting the better of them, which might carry him across the line in this fight…
Madrimov AGAIN gets warned for leading with his head. His last warning was meant to be the final one, but the ref has let him off.
We go to the scorecards. This may be close… Ortiz Jr just edged it in the end, for our money…
Vergil Ortiz Jr def. Israil Madrimov via unanimous decision (117-111, 115-113, 115-113)
And Ortiz Jr retains his title, as well as his unbeaten record!
Another POOR scorecard in there, as with the Buatsi-Smith fight, but thankfully neither has affected a result tonight…
Agit Kabayel climbs off canvas to stop Zhilei Zhang and win vacant WBC interim heavyweight belt
18:57 , Alex Pattle
Round six
Oh!! Kabayel half-drops Zhang with a body shot, and the ref leads the German away… but Zhang receives no count?! What an odd moment.
Kabayel looks to build on that success anyway, snapping back the head of Zhang with a one-two!
Blood is smeared around Zhang’s face now. He looks sooo tired.
And THIS TIME he goes down from a combination to the body, no question about it!
He’s kneeling, wincing badly… and can’t beat the count! Kabayel stops Zhang in round six!!!
Kabayel: still unbeaten, now the WBC interim heavyweight champion. Regular champ Oleksandr Usyk enters the ring and hands him the belt!
Agit Kabayel def. Zhilei Zhang via sixth-round KO (2:29)
Smith wins firefight to hand Buatsi his first loss and take WBO interim light-heavyweight title
18:21 , Alex Pattle
Callum Smith def. Joshua Buatsi via unanimous decision (119-110, 115-113, 116-112)
And NEW WBO interim light-heavyweight champion!
Smith deservedly wins an absolute firefight, taking the belt from Buatsi and ruining the Londoner’s unbeaten record.
HOWEVER… That 119-110 scorecard is mindblowing. Not good scoring at all.
Anyway. Massive credit to both boxers. Look at Smith below, warrior.
