In October this year Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KO) lost his first fight in his professional career. Biwoł lost by majority decision to Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KO) during a gala in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this way, Beterbiev became the undisputed world champion in the light heavyweight category and was the first to do so since Roy Jones Jr in 2002. At that time, Bivol's ex-wife Yekaterina was very happy with Bivol's defeat – Bivol had previously been accused of emotional violence and controlling his partner's behavior.
After the first fight, it was clear that this fight would have a rematch. – If the fans want a rematch, I will be happy to fight him again. In the rematch, I have to move more and better in the ring – said Biwoł (quote from: boxer.org).
Then Eddie Hearn, Biwol's promoter, had a grudge against the Polish judge Paweł Kardynia, who scored 116:112 in favor of Beterbiev. – Dmitry was robbed of winning the fight for the title of absolute world champion. And this referee should never judge boxing fights again,” Hearn said.
Turki Alalshikh, a Saudi prince who now has a lot to say in professional boxing, did not agree with the result of this fight. – I don't think the verdict was fair. For me, Biwoł won two more rounds. I will try to organize their rematch. It was one of the best fights in recent years, commented Alalshikh.
Now we know the date of the rematch between Bivol and Beterbiev. However, the entire gala will be absolutely unique.
“One of the best ever.” What a fight card in Saudi Arabia
Turki Alalshikh announced on social media the fight card for the blockbuster gala, which will take place on February 22 next year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “One of the best fight cards in history on February 22 in Riyadh” – wrote the Saudi prince on the X website. During the gala we will see seven fights, and each of them will be a temporary or full-fledged championship belt. The main event of the evening at the gala called “The Last Crescendo” will be the rematch between Bivol and Beterbiev.
In the co-main event, we will see a fight between Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KO) and Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KO), where the IBF heavyweight belt will be at stake. Dubois won the interim belt in this category in June this year. after the fight with Filip Hrgovic, and three months later he defended it in the fight against Anthony Joshua. “Dear people, is this the card of all time? Ridiculous,” wrote Kacper Bartosiak on the X portal. “It is incomprehensible… One of the best cards in the history of boxing,” added Piotr Jagiełło from TVP Sport.
Full fight card for February's “The Last Crescendo” gala in Saudi Arabia:
- Artur Beterbiew (21-0, 20 KO) – Dmitry Biwoł (23-1, 12 KO) – fight for the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight belts,
- Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KO) – Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KO) – fight for the IBF heavyweight belt,
- Israil Madrimow (10-1-1, 7 KO) – Vergil Ortiz Jr (22-0, 21 KO) – fight for the WBC interim belt in junior middleweight,
- Zhang Zhilei (27-2-1, 22 KO) – Agit Kabayel (25-0, 17 KO) – fight for the WBC interim heavyweight belt,
- Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KO) – Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KO) – fight for the WBC middleweight belt,
- Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KO) – Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KO) – fight for the WBC lightweight belt,
- Joshua Buatsi (19-0, 13 KO) – Callum Smith (30-2, 22 KO) – fight for the WBO interim light heavyweight belt.