This Saturday, the world of boxing converges on Saudi Arabia for an electrifying night of championship bouts. The main event features a rematch between light-heavyweight titans Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, who will contest all major titles in their division. Meanwhile, IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois faces New Zealand's Joseph Parker, with Parker aiming to become a two-time heavyweight champion. Adding to the excitement is British middleweight Hamzah Sheeraz, who seeks his first world title. Live text commentary begins at 19:00 GMT on the BBC Sport website and app, covering every thrilling moment.
The Heavyweight Showdown: Dubois vs. Parker
Dubois, the reigning IBF heavyweight champion, takes on the experienced Parker in what promises to be a hard-fought battle. With a significant difference in experience, this fight brings together two formidable fighters. Dubois, known for his punching power, has won 95% of his fights by stoppage, while Parker boasts a knockout rate of 66%. Both have faced top-tier competition and carry notable victories on their records. Despite both having suffered defeats, they are in excellent form, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
Parker, at 33, has been in the ring with several top names, including Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, and Joe Joyce. His most significant wins came against Zhilei Zhang and Wilder. On the other hand, the 27-year-old Dubois has faced Joyce, Joshua, Jarrell Miller, and Oleksandr Usyk. While Parker has four world title fights under his belt as a former WBO champion, Dubois has defended his IBF title twice. This matchup not only highlights their contrasting styles but also their resilience and determination to claim victory. Fans can expect a clash that will test both men’s mettle and skills.
The Light-Heavyweight Rematch: Beterbiev vs. Bivol
The co-main event sees Beterbiev and Bivol square off once more, this time with all major light-heavyweight titles up for grabs. Their first encounter was a close and contentious affair, with Beterbiev emerging victorious on points. This rematch promises to deliver another nail-biting contest, given the razor-thin margin of their previous bout. Both fighters bring different strengths to the table, making it difficult to predict the outcome.
In their initial fight, Beterbiev relied heavily on body shots and landed more power punches in the second half. He peaked in the 11th round, landing 17 of 21 punches as power shots. Conversely, Bivol excelled in movement and jabbing, demonstrating superior accuracy in total punches landed. The bout was contested at a ferocious pace, with over 1,100 combined punches thrown. Bivol landed slightly more punches overall, but Beterbiev had the edge in power shots. The statistics paint a picture of a closely contested match, setting the stage for another classic. Predictions from seasoned observers suggest a tight and unpredictable rematch, with both fighters equally capable of claiming victory.