Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 boxing: Start time, fight card, how to watch

EXPLAINER

Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are scheduled to re-enter the ring for a blockbuster rematch less than five months after their hugely popular first light-heavyweight world title fight.

The October 12, 2024 fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saw Beterbiev become the light heavyweight division’s first undisputed champion since the famous Roy Jones Jr ruled the division between 1999 and 2002.

A world heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois, the reigning IBF champion, and Joseph Parker, the opponent, is also included in the stacked, seven-match fight schedule.

Everything you need to know about Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 is listed below:

When is the Beterbiev-Bivol fight?

• The fight is on Saturday, February 22.
• Beginning at 1 a.m. local time (22:00 GMT), Beterbiev and Bivol will begin their ring walks. &nbsp, The fight will start shortly afterwards.

Where is the Beterbiev-Bivol fight taking place?

• In Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol 2 will take place, the Kingdom Arena.

Where can I watch live combat?

Beginning at 9 p.m. local time (18:00 GMT), Al Jazeera Sport will provide live text updates and photo coverage of the main event.
• Beterbiev-Bivol 2 will be streamed to more than 200 countries on DAZN Pay Per View.

What are the pre-fight events?

• The Beterbiev vs Bivol weigh-in is scheduled to take place on Friday at 9.30pm (18: 30 GMT).
• The first of the undercard fights (Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith) begins on Saturday at 7.30pm local time (16: 30 GMT).

Who is Artur Beterbiev?

• Artur Beterbiev is a Russian-Canadian professional boxer of Chechen heritage.
• The 40-year-old is the undisputed light-heavyweight division world champion (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO) since 2024, as well as the Ring magazine and International Boxing Organization (IBO) title holder.
• Beterbiev, who stands five feet, 11.5 inches tall (1.82m), remains undefeated as a professional boxer with 21 victories, including 20 knockouts.

Who is Dmitry Bivol?

• Former World Boxing Association (WBA) champion and light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. In October 2024, Artur Beterbiev defeated the Russian to win the WBA title.
• The 33-year-old, who stands six feet tall (1.83m), defended the title multiple times, including victories over high-profile boxers Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in 2022.
• Bivol’s professional record stands at 23 wins and one loss.

What positions are Beterbiev and Bivol fighting for?

• They are vying for the undisputed title of light heavyweight champion.
• Beterbiev and Bivol will compete for five separate titles: WBA, IBF, WBO, World Boxing Council (WBC) and The Ring belts.

Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev, “Tale of the Tape” ⚔️ pic. twitter.com/CXzXszWbr9

What is the full fight card?

Dubbed “The Last Crescendo”, the fight card features a seven-title fight lineup:

• Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol (IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO light-heavyweight titles)
• IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker
• Floyd Schofield vs. Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title
• WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames versus Hamzah Sheeraz
• Israil Madrimov and Vergil Ortiz Jr. (Interim WBC heavyweight champion)
• WBC interim heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel vs. Zhilei Zhang
• Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith (Interim WBO light-heavyweight title)

In the main undercard event, who is competing?

• British heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois will face Joseph Parker in a match that would normally be the main event.
• Dubois, 27, makes his impressive debut in the ring against Anthony Joshua in Riyadh. In the fifth round of competition at Wembley Stadium in September 2024, Dubois defeated his British foe.
• Parker won the WBO title between 2016 and 2018, but Joshua lost in favor of Joshua in a unanimous decision. The 32-year-old New Zealander defeated Zhilei Zhang to claim the WBO interim title in March after dethrowing former WBC champion Deontay Wilder last year.

What is the fight purse?

• The Beterbiev vs. Bivol 1 match’s overall prize money was reported to be worth $ 20 million, split between the competitors.
• The prize money for Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 is anticipated to be more than $ 20 million.

In the first Bivol vs. Beterbiev matchup, who prevailed?

• In October 2024, Beterbiev won the first fight by a slim margin in points.
• Two judges scored Beterbiev winning 115-113 and 116-112, while the remaining judge had the contest a 114-114 draw.

What has Beterbiev said about the rematch?

“It’s a good feeling]to be the champion]”, Beterbiev said at the pre-fight press conference in January. “My goal now is to keep my belts. That is something I’ll try my best to accomplish.

” He has revenge if he wants revenge, no problem. I must perform well to win. Big, small or medium, I don’t know, but I need to be better enough to win.

“I don’t know]why I did not knock him out]. He was lucky that night. I predict a strong fight on February 22. My message is be ready, nothing more”.

What has Bivol said about the rematch?

According to Bivol, “I hope I can give a better performance than I did before” and that this fight might turn out to be won.

“I’ve done well,” I said, to become uncontested. It’s the final step in this weight class, and the proof for myself. I’m happy that I have this chance”.