The current undisputed Light Heavyweight king of boxing, Artur Beterbiev, came face-to-face with rival and former champion, Dmitry Bivol, earlier today (Thurs., Feb. 20, 2025) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at the conclusion of their “Last Crescendo” final press conference (video replay here).
They have already competed once before, with Beterbiev getting the better of Bivol in Oct. 2024 via majority decision, handing him his first-ever defeat and taking his WBA Super and IBO Light Heavyweight titles, in the process. Despite that, things were very cordial between the two heavy-hitters ahead of their championship rematch.
Check out their staredown in the embedded video above.
Absent from today’s festivities was current IBF Heavyweight king, Daniel Dubois, who was forced out his his title defense opposite Joseph Parker due to an illness (details here). That is the second world title fight that went up in smoke in two days as Floyd Schofield Jr. also fell ill and was forced out of his bout against current WBC Lightweight champion, Shakur Stevenson. He was replaced by Josh Padley.
You can see their staredown below:
One of the most anticipated fights on the card @ShakurStevenson vs @Joshpad #BeterbievBivol2 | #RiyadhSeason | Feb 22, live on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/HwcQl6vvuP
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 20, 2025
Also on the card, WBC Middleweight champion Carlos Adames will battle Hamzah Sheeraz, while WBC World Interim Super Welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. takes on Israil Madrimov. In big man action, Zhilei Zhang and will battle Agit Kabayel for the vacant WBC interim Heavyweight title, while WBO Interim Light Heavyweight champion Joshua Buatsi battles Callum Smith in the final title fight of the night.
See those face offs below:
Adames vs. Sheeraz
Who wins and how?? Adames ?? Sheeraz #BeterbievBivol2 | #RiyadhSeason | Feb 22, live on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/NYstLiUCMq
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 20, 2025
Zhang vs. Kabayel
Zhang ?? Kabayel #BeterbievBivol2 | #RiyadhSeason | Feb 22, live on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/om1sk7RNWn
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 20, 2025
Ortiz vs. Madrimov
Will this be the fight of the night? #BeterbievBivol2 | #RiyadhSeason | Feb 22, live on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/XDloP6kp0H
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 20, 2025
Bautsi vs. Smith
Who you got?! #BeterbievBivol2 | #RiyadhSeason | Feb 22, live on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/UZRR1q3owx
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 20, 2025
Despite the two setbacks, the “Fight Card of the Century” is still loaded with great bouts that should prove for an entertaining day of action this Saturday (Feb. 22) inside Kingdom Arena on DAZN.
To check out the latest and greatest “Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.