Promoter Eddie Hearn calls the February twenty second Riyadh Season card the “best evening of boxing” the game has seen. The headliner is the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, and the occasion will likely be proven reside on DAZN.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
The Actual Draw
Though generally Hearn goes a bit of overboard together with his reward of playing cards, on this case, he’s bought it proper. This is a superb line-up from high to backside. The one factor I’d change is the order of fights, as there are a few much less fascinating matchups in entrance of the gem: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov. That struggle is sweet sufficient to be the principle occasion. It’s not that Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 isn’t a superb struggle, however we already noticed that one.
We all know that Bivol will likely be on his bike all evening as soon as Beterbiev begins pressuring. Within the Ortiz Jr-Madrimov, the 2 will stand and commerce bombs, and that’s far more fascinating to observe than seeing Beterbiev chase Bivol for 12 rounds.
“February twenty second is the best evening of boxing that has ever been ever within the sport,” mentioned Eddie Hearn to Matchroom Boxing, speaking in regards to the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 occasion on DAZN PPV in Riyadh. “It’s not even corresponding to some other struggle card that has ever graced the world of boxing.
“Bivol vs. Beterbiev, the rematch for the undisputed. The world heavyweight championship, Dubois vs. Parker. A superb middleweight championship between Adames and Hamzah Sheeraz. That’s such a tricky struggle for Hamzah Sheeraz to grow to be world champion.
“Former me, one of many high pound-for-pound fighters towards an unbeaten, sensible American fighter. Shakur Stevenson towards Floyd Schofield. Vergil Ortiz vs. Israil Madrimov could also be the perfect struggle within the 154-lb division. Callum Smith vs. Joshua Buatsi. It’s an all-British conflict.
“You open the evening with Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel, a world class 50-50 heavyweight matchup. Riyadh Season, February twenty second. It’s unquestionably the best struggle card within the historical past of boxing,” mentioned Hearn.
The co-feature struggle between IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker is one other struggle that might be much like the principle occasion with lots of operating concerned.
Parker was a brawler when he was youthful, however he’s morphed right into a slick boxer within the final couple of years. It’s labored for him to date towards a few older heavyweights, Zhang and Deontay Wilder.
Hopefully, Parker doesn’t select to maneuver for 12 rounds making an attempt to evade Dubois as a result of that might make for a uninteresting struggle together with the principle occasion. Having back-to-back fights involving observe meets gained’t be fascinating for the followers.
February twenty second Card
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2
Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker
Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov
Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield
Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel
Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith
Bradley Rea vs. Constantino Nanga
February 22 goes to be completely 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗢𝗨𝗦 😮💨😮💨😮💨 @Turki_alalshikh#BeterbievBivol2 | @DAZNBoxing | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/aVJhbKLLhx
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 9, 2025
