Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol clash again in the ring after their first fight in October (Image: Getty)
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol step back into the ring for an enticing rematch in Saudi Arabia, some five months after their first fight.
The heavyweight bout saw Beterbiev win the first fight on points by a narrow margin in October 2024. Two judges scored Beterbiev winning 115-113 and 116-112, while the remaining judge had the contest a 114-114 draw.
The Russian-Canadian fighter will have to do it all over again on Saturday as he faces Bivol – who is also Russian – at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Beterbiev, 40, has been the undisputed light-heavyweight division world champion since 2024 and remains defeated in his professional career, with 21 victories and 20 knockouts.
Bivol will be looking to exact revenge after being dealt the first loss of his career in the fight back in October, having previously registered wins over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.
The 33-year-old has one more victory to his name than Beterbiev as well as that small mark against his record. And he will be desperate to make amends in the rematch.
They are fighting for the undisputed world light heavyweight title championship with five titles on the line: WBA, IBF, WBO, World Boxing Council (WBC) and The Ring belts.
The total prize money for Beterbiev vs Bivol 1 was around £16m, with a similar purse expected for the rematch as the fighters share a lucrative payday between them.
Also taking place on the night is Joseph Parker against Martin Bakole following Daniel Dubois’ last-minute withdrawal. The British heavyweight was set to defend his IBF world title against Parker but pulled out of the fight due to illness.
Congolese heavyweight Bakole has been called in as a last-minute replacement, reportedly beating Anthony Joshua to the call.
Beterbiev preserved his unbeaten record with a points win over Bivol (Image: Getty)
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 undercard
Dubbed ‘The Last Crescendo’, the full undercard features a seven-title fight lineup:
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol (IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO light-heavyweight titles)
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole (heavyweight bout) *Daniel Dubois withdrew due to illness
Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley (WBC lightweight title) *Floyd Schofield Jr withdrew due to illness
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz (WBC middleweight title)
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov (Interim WBC heavyweight title)
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel (Interim WBC heavyweight title)
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith (Interim WBO light-heavyweight title)
Joseph Parker will now face Martin Bakole after Daniel Dubois withdrew (Image: Getty)
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Live stream and how to watch
The event will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office from 4pm (GMT).
Sky customers will be able to purchase a pass to watch the fight for £19.95 in the UK and €24.95 for Sky customers in the Republic of Ireland up until midnight on Friday, February 21.
Fight times
Bakole and Parker are expected to make their ring walks between 9pm and 10pm UK time. That should see Beterbiev and Bivol start at around 10.30pm.
Two repeat showings of the full duration of the fight will be shown at 8am and 5.30pm on Sunday, February 23.