BoxRec

Beterbiev-Bivol II to take place in smaller arena to promote better atmosphere

It seems those at the General Entertainment Authority, headed by Turki Alalshikh, have listened to the dissenting voices that speak of the perceived lack of atmosphere at the Riyadh Season shows in Saudi Arabia and switched this weekend’s ‘Last Crescendo’ event – headlined by the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol – to a smaller arena.

The first bout, which ended in a tight majority decision win for Beterbiev in October, alongside the two titanic heavyweight encounters between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, took place at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, a vast space with room for 25,000 fans. That arena was also the setting for the December 2023 card which featured Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder in separate fights, the show topped by Joshua-Francis Ngannou four months later, and the 5 v 5 show, which pitted boxers from Queensberry and Matchroom together, in June. Though the action on display has been largely exciting, many felt that the number of empty seats on display during the live broadcasts did not paint the sport in a particularly inviting light to the outside world.

Thus, the decision has been made to move Beterbiev-Bivol II and its vast undercard to the nearby Venue Riyadh Season, which holds 6,000 fans. The venue has been used for a boxing event once before, in November last year, when Gilberto Ramirez outpointed Chris Billam-Smith in a cruiserweight showdown.

It is understood that the organizers are expecting a sell-out crowd.

Live from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, KSA on 22 February 2025
Riyadh Season & Various Promotions presents: The Last Crescendo

TNT Sports 1: 3:15 pm BST | 6:15 pm (local)

DAZN UK PPV: 4 pm BST | 7 pm (local) | Price: £19.99
TNT & Sky Sports Box Office: 4 pm BST | 7 pm (local) | Price: £19.99

DAZN (worldwide): Check local listings Price: $25.99 (local currency)
DAZN US/CAD PPV: 11 am ET | 8 am PT | Price: $25.99

Running Order

Preliminary Card - 5 pm Local

6 Round Lightweight Contest
Mohammed Alakel vs. Engel Gomez

6 Round Super-Lightweight Contest
Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira

PPV Card - 4 pm BST | 7 pm Local | 11 am ET | 8 am PT |

Interim WBO Light-Heavyweight Championship
Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith

Followed by

Vacant Interim WBC Heavyweight Championship
Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel

Followed by

Interim WBC Super-Welterweight Championship
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs. Israil Madrimov

Followed by

WBC Middleweight Championship
Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz

Followed by

WBC Lightweight Championship
Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley

Followed by

WBO Interim Heavyweight Championship
Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole

Followed by

Undisputed Light-Heavyweight Championship
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol

All PPV fight times

Belting heavyweight contest between Agit and Zhang, Kabayel's continuity and cardio brought him another win against a bigger opponent, what a run he is having

Vergil keep himself composed against Madrimov exhilarating movement and despite being close, showed maturity

Right winner, Smith/Buatsi was a firefight

Adames showing the taller and whipping Sheeraz who is boss, I predicted otherwise

Home cookin' is about to be served

Ok I actually don't mind that fight being a draw.

Ugly scorecards, to not exclude Sheeraz out of title contention

Bakole went as fast as he came, gave too much of his figure to Parker and fell like a sack of potatoes

Levels to this game, but Kudos to Padley for giving his best and trying to wake Stevenson up, at least it ended in the 9th

30 - 27 Bivol, more determined and on focus than the first fight, but Beterbiev is starting to press.

57 - 57 but leaning more towards Beterbiev.

87 - 84 Bivol, he is getting in the rhythm and using some street smart (last minute shoeshining, holding at the end) efficiently.

Bivol 116-112, a much better performance.
Rubber match anyone?

What a fight!! I had 115-113 Bivol but can’t argue with the judges. Please do it again.

115 - 113 Bivol, overcoming the monster with a boxing masterclass. Let's go for the third, Benavidez can wait!

bivol won clearly for me, looked shaky in rounds 4-6 but otherwise bert just couldnt get much going vs the boxing and moving

115-113 Bivol on my card.

goose 5 wrote: ↑22 Feb 2025, 20:21 115-113 Bivol on my card.

Agreed

Masterclass! Bivol had a better game plan and tactic but tbh it was a bit risky because Artur caught him with some good counters that could've hurted Bivol. Bivol's footwork, high pace ring activity and conditioning were stellar.

I thought Bivol would just jab,jab, 1-2, grab and move a lot like trying to potshot and score points but no, Bivol was going to Artur's head with fast swarm-combos. Warrior.

Mannix' score was fine.

These two are a credit to the sport.

Two great fighters who are evenly matched.

It's a shame Beterbiev is pushing 41, even though, at the moment and somewhat remarkably, he's still world class.

Ive had finally watched it. Man, that was a boxing masterclass again. Poetry in motion. I can watch these 2 any time. Ive had scored it 7-5 to Bivol. Difference from first fight was he was not gassed in last 2 rounds and that won him the fight. Scoring in both fights was fair and square. NO BOXING NO LIFE Bring on trilogy ASAP, before age catch Beterbiev please.

EDIT: whole card was on fire !! I am very happy for Callum Smith, that fight was FIRE !!