Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 LIVE: Date, UK time, undercard and how to follow undisputed rematch in Saudi Arabia
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will settle their rivalry in a huge undisputed light-heavyweight title rematch this weekend. The first clash between two of boxing’s best was marred in controversy after Beterbiev secured a majority decision win. Beterbiev won the first encounter against Bivol in October 2024Mark Robinson/Matchroom The contest was extremely close with both men separated by just five punches over the 12-round distance. But in the end, two of the judges scored it in Beterbiev’s favour by margins of 115-113 and 116-112 while the third had it as a draw at 114-114. The two will now complete a quick turnaround to settle the issue in-ring, with all four of the major 175lb world title belts back on the line. Their second dust-up headlined what was due to be the ‘greatest boxing card ever’ with three additional world title fights on the card, plus another three bouts with ‘interim’ belts at stake. However, the undercard has undergone a drastic overhaul, with Daniel Dubois forced out of his fight with Joseph Parker. It came after Floyd Schofield had also pulled out of his contest against Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title. Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Date and how to follow This huge 12-round undisputed title bout will take place on Saturday, February 22 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Official start times have now been confirmed, with the undercard to start at 3:30pm UK time. The main event ring walks are scheduled for 10:50pm, with the fight set to start at 11pm. talkSPORT has secured the commentary rights to this massive event. Adam Catterall will present live coverage from Riyadh on talkSPORT at 8pm with commentary coming from Gareth A Davies, Spencer Oliver and John Rawling. To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream. Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM. You can also follow the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube Channel for all the latest news, views and exclusive content, as well as a live watch-along on the night. The entire card will also be streamed on DAZN Pay-Per-View and UK fans can pay £19.99 to watch the action here. Bivol and Beterbiev are ready to put on another show after their dramatic first fightMark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Undercard The co-main event was due to see Dubois take on Parker for the IBF heavyweight belt, with the winner facing Oleksandr Usyk for the right to be crowned the undisputed king of the division. However, Dubois has since been withdrawn from the bill after falling ill and Martin Bakole has been drafted in as his late replacement. Subject to change, all times UK MAIN EVENT: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – for WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight titles Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole – for interim WBO heavyweight title Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley – for WBC lightweight title Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz – for WBC middleweight title Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov – for interim WBC super-welterweight title Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel – for interim WBC heavyweight title Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – for interim WBO light-heavyweight title Dubois was due to defend his IBF belt after dismantling Anthony Joshua last yearGetty Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: What has been said? The boxing world is divided about who will come out on top in Beterbiev vs Bivol 2. Promoter Frank Warren said: “I am favouring Beterbiev. “But if Eddie [Hearn’s fighter Bivol] wins, then brilliant. That’s great for him. “They’ve all beaten Brits. This is something extra, extra special. “I see great fighters. And I see a fight. I’m a neutral in this, so I’m going to enjoy every moment of this. “I’m not biased. I just want to see the best man win.” Beterbiev and Bivol went to battle for 12 hard roundsGetty Meanwhile, former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew said: “Once again it’s going to be a closely fought fight, but I just think Bivol can improve that little bit more. “Beterbiev is a few months older and there’ll be more miles on the clock from their first fight. “Beterbiev might think he can start quicker and see it out again, but it’ll be hard for him to fight at a fast pace so quick after their first fight. “A part of Bivol will think he should’ve had his hand raised in their first fight and the improvements he needs to make are only small. “It’ll likely be close again, but I just think Bivol will be the fresher man.” Read more on Beterbiev v Bivol 2 Live commentary from Riyadh for ‘greatest boxing card ever’ including Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 and Parker vs Bakole ‘Something special’ – Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 leaves boxing world torn as biggest stars make fight predictions Beterbiev leaves fans stunned with sledgehammer exercise to keep stunning KO ratio Dmitry Bivol
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will settle their rivalry in a huge undisputed light-heavyweight title rematch this weekend.
The first clash between two of boxing’s best was marred in controversy after Beterbiev secured a majority decision win.
The contest was extremely close with both men separated by just five punches over the 12-round distance.
But in the end, two of the judges scored it in Beterbiev’s favour by margins of 115-113 and 116-112 while the third had it as a draw at 114-114.
The two will now complete a quick turnaround to settle the issue in-ring, with all four of the major 175lb world title belts back on the line.
Their second dust-up headlined what was due to be the ‘greatest boxing card ever’ with three additional world title fights on the card, plus another three bouts with ‘interim’ belts at stake.
However, the undercard has undergone a drastic overhaul, with Daniel Dubois forced out of his fight with Joseph Parker.
It came after Floyd Schofield had also pulled out of his contest against Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title.
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Date and how to follow
This huge 12-round undisputed title bout will take place on Saturday, February 22 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Official start times have now been confirmed, with the undercard to start at 3:30pm UK time.
The main event ring walks are scheduled for 10:50pm, with the fight set to start at 11pm.
talkSPORT has secured the commentary rights to this massive event.
Adam Catterall will present live coverage from Riyadh on talkSPORT at 8pm with commentary coming from Gareth A Davies, Spencer Oliver and John Rawling.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream. Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
You can also follow the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube Channel for all the latest news, views and exclusive content, as well as a live watch-along on the night.
The entire card will also be streamed on DAZN Pay-Per-View and UK fans can pay £19.99 to watch the action here.
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Undercard
The co-main event was due to see Dubois take on Parker for the IBF heavyweight belt, with the winner facing Oleksandr Usyk for the right to be crowned the undisputed king of the division.
However, Dubois has since been withdrawn from the bill after falling ill and Martin Bakole has been drafted in as his late replacement.
Subject to change, all times UK
- MAIN EVENT: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – for WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight titles
- Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole – for interim WBO heavyweight title
- Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley – for WBC lightweight title
- Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz – for WBC middleweight title
- Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov – for interim WBC super-welterweight title
- Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel – for interim WBC heavyweight title
- Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – for interim WBO light-heavyweight title
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: What has been said?
The boxing world is divided about who will come out on top in Beterbiev vs Bivol 2.
Promoter Frank Warren said: “I am favouring Beterbiev.
“But if Eddie [Hearn’s fighter Bivol] wins, then brilliant. That’s great for him.
“They’ve all beaten Brits. This is something extra, extra special.
“I see great fighters. And I see a fight. I’m a neutral in this, so I’m going to enjoy every moment of this.
“I’m not biased. I just want to see the best man win.”
Meanwhile, former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew said: “Once again it’s going to be a closely fought fight, but I just think Bivol can improve that little bit more.
“Beterbiev is a few months older and there’ll be more miles on the clock from their first fight.
“Beterbiev might think he can start quicker and see it out again, but it’ll be hard for him to fight at a fast pace so quick after their first fight.
“A part of Bivol will think he should’ve had his hand raised in their first fight and the improvements he needs to make are only small.
“It’ll likely be close again, but I just think Bivol will be the fresher man.”
Read more on Beterbiev v Bivol 2
Live commentary from Riyadh for ‘greatest boxing card ever’ including Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 and Parker vs Bakole
‘Something special’ – Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 leaves boxing world torn as biggest stars make fight predictions
Beterbiev leaves fans stunned with sledgehammer exercise to keep stunning KO ratio
Dmitry Bivol explains exactly what taking punch from knockout artist Artur Beterbiev feels like
Joseph Parker to fight ‘world’s most avoided heavyweight’ after Daniel Dubois clash collapses
Part-time electrician to fight for world title against Shakur Stevenson at late notice in Rocky movie storyline
EXCLUSIVE: Oleksandr Usyk backs fast-rising boxer to succeed him as heavyweight king
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