Boxing
Ranking boxing fights: Beterbiv-Bivol 2, Dubois-Parker, more
The Saturday program in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia was hailed as the best boxing card he has ever seen – and for a reason.
Boxing promoters are known for hyperboli and the sale of events that they plan. But the seven fights were to take place in the Kingdom of Arena, they are good enough to be the main event on sold -out arenas.
The biggest of the plot is the main event, the undisputed lightweight title rematch between Artur Beterbieal and Dmitryjum Bivol, the two best pound boxers for pounds in the world. But much more happens earlier in the same ring in the highest night of boxing in 2025.
Four world titles and three ephemeral titles will be on the line. What are the best fights, why should you watch them and who should win? ESPN evaluates the fight for you.
1. Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitriry Bivol, 12 rounds, Until the unquestioned Beterbavie Championships
2:02
Artur Beterbiev stunns Dmitriry Bivol through most of the decision to become the undisputed champion
Artur Beterbaven leaves because of victory in making most decisions over Dmitry Bivol before a crowd filled in Saudi Arabia.
Few boxers managed to stay at the top of the game at the age of 40. Bernard Hopkins was the equivalent boxing of Peter to the Lord and finally closed his marathon career (1988-2016) with a record of 55-8-2, 32 knockout as the oldest world champion in boxing aged 49. Beterbiev (21-0, 20 Kos), who recently turned 40, showed a petite sign of the distribution in a high-quality clash with Bivol in October. But how much did the epic meeting get the master? Last time it was a close fight, which Beterbiev won with most decisions, but some won Bivol. Bivol (23-1, 12 KO), guided by a sense of injustice, could pull out another fierce fight if he maintains his intensity to the last bell. The Bivol work indicator basically fell in the first fight, allowing Beterbiv to get the last three rounds on the results of the results of all three judges.
Bivol, 34, is a more versatile boxer, with the possibility of producing something different in a rematch. Beterbiev, a knockout specialist, needs only one opening to end the fight that he could lose.
There are solid arguments for both winning, and the third decisive meeting would be inevitable if it is close again or if Bivol equals the result.
2. Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker, 12 rounds, up to the IBF Dubois heavyweight title
1:09
Dubois focused on “demolition work” vs. Parker to configure Clash Usyk
Daniel Dubois claims that Joseph Parker cannot be seen against the defense of the IBF heavyweight title.
The growing number of boxing experts and fighters expects Parker Zdetrone Dubois, who is going down in September because of the stunning knockout of the former master Anthony Joshu. Despite the four -time amazing Joshua in a total beating, pretender Martin Bakole and promoter Eddie Hearn (who does not promote any of them), support Parker to win. To do this, Parker must adopt the same strategy that he performed perfectly when he dominated the former WBC DEONTAY WILDER master in December 2023. Wilder is a cruel blow, but Parker (35-3, 23 KO) frustrated him with his movement, work indicator and work App.
Dubois, 22-2, 21 Kos) will be threatening with his powerful blows, but the longer he fights, he plays Parker’s hands.
3. Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Ismail Madrimov, 12 rounds, too tardy ephemeral title WBC Junior Middle Wweight
This promises to be an absolute cracker. After getting involved in one of the best fights in 2024, when he had to get off the canvas twice to assemble Serhia Bohachuk in August, Ortiz must be almost perfect against Madrimov.
Bohachuk revealed some gaps against Ortiz, and the fight against Madrimov looks threatening to him. Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KO), from Uzbekistan, but WHO Trains in California, is a similar warrior to Bohachuk, but probably a slightly better version. Just look at how well Madrimov coped with Terenka Crawford in August last year, when he lost close, well -invented unanimous decision.
Ortiz (22-0, 21 KO) could utilize any Madrimova hesitation when reporting. He will want to impose early, which will add entertainment values for viewers.
They both know each other from previous sparring sessions, which suggests that they will not spend time getting to know each other in the early rounds. It can quickly turn into a uncomfortable, total fight.
4. Joshua Batsi vs. Callum Smith, 12 rounds, for Batsi’s WBO Lithe Heavyweight Tymeim Title
This meeting would pack a huge place in Great Britain, and its result will be significant. Two competing English question the opportunity to face the winner of the main event between Beterbiv and Bivol.
Smith (30-2, 22 KO) has more experience and perhaps is more known: he is a former WBC champion of Super Middle Libra, who was taken by Canelo Alvarez in December 2020. In addition, Smith’s only failure was to stop the seventh round for a break in the seventh round of Beterbiev a little over a year ago, when he was sent on a canvas for the first time in his career in punishment. How many Smith remained at the age of 34 and does the younger Batsi have more appetite and energy?
Batsi (19-0, 13 KO), born in Ghana, but raised in southern London, looked skilful in recent wins on Willy Hutchinson and Dan Azeez. Batsi sat down Hutchinson twice with body shots on the way to a divided decision to win for the then heavyweight title WBO.
5. Carlos Adams vs. Hamzah Sheeraz, 12 rounds, for the title of Adames’ WBC Middle weighing
The time of this fight is ideal for Sheeraz, which years high with 15 subsequent knockout victories. He has not heard the last bell in over six years. In 2024, Sheeraz detained three opponents in an impressive style. Although Adames will be a step, it is tough to follow a man with rush behind him.
Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KO) looked particularly destructive in his last fight, closing Tyler Denny in just two rounds in September last year. But his previous fight was even more impressive when he conveniently overtook Austin “Ammo” by Williams, dropping him in the 10th round with the right hook and incapacitating him in round 11. Williams was previously invincible in 16 duels.
Adames (24-1, 18 KO) was not so busy that in the last 18 months he only registers the decision victory over Terrell Gausha. Sheeraz, which has a four -inch advantage of height, can overwhelm Adames and notify the medium weight division.
6. Agit Kabayel vs. Zhilei Zhang, 12 rounds, weighty weight
This is the first fight of the main card, but it is worth tuning early, because it promises emotions and spilling.
Kabayel (25-0.17 KO) will look for a significantly excluded Zhang, but Zhang ruined warriors who previously won their dishonest power of Southpaw. Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KO) detained Joe Joyce twice in 2023, and during his last fight in June he made a mess of Deontay Wilder in just five rounds.
Kabayel shone when he sent Arslanbek Makhmudov on canvas three times in winning TKO in the fourth round in December 2023, and then aimed at the body among lasting pressure to stop Frank Sanchez in May last year. Kabayel can take a similar strategy as Sanchez Fight vs. Zhang. Joseph Parker used the move to win the decision on Zhang in March last year, and Kabayel could utilize a page from Parker’s book if he is to win.
But Zhang will want to end the fight before it hits results cards, thanks to which this fight is intriguing. The ephemeral WBC title is on the line, which means that the winner will be in a good position for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s champion this year.
7. Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield, 12 rounds, for the lightweight title WBC Stevenson
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Shakur Stevenson takes off Artem Harutynaan through the decision
Shakur Stevenson overwhelms Artem Harutynaan with a tow truck in round 9.
Stevenson (22-0, 10 KO) did not deceive in his last two wins, but this may change in his latest lightweight defense of the title.
Schofield (18-0, 12 KO) likes to appear, which will suit Stevenson’s brilliant skills. Stevenson, a world champion with three divisions, forced to fight Joe Cordina in October because of the hand injury, is technically too good for Schofield, who is five years younger and seems to be lacking experience to test the master.
If Stevenson won and avoid recurrence of his hand injury, expect to call the fight with Gervont “Tank” Davis.
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