RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 21: Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol face off during the weigh-in … [+] as part of Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at on February 21, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images).
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The highly anticipated Last Crescendo card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—headlined by the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol—will feature one of the biggest fight cards in recent boxing history. The two men first met for the undisputed light heavyweight championship in October 2024.
Beterbiev won a controversial majority decision, making the rematch a necessity. While we knew we’d see a solid card to back up the rematch, most didn’t expect the seven fights that Turki Alalshikh helped bring together for Last Crescendo.
While two of the originally scheduled fighters have pulled out due to injury, the main event and a strong lineup of fights remain. Here’s the full fight schedule and all the information you need to watch.
Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 Date, Time, and How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, February 22
- Location: Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Stream: DAZN and PPV.com
- PPV Price: $25.99
Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 Scheduled Ring Walk Times
- Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: 6:00 p.m. ET
- Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole: 4:40 p.m. ET
- Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley: 3:35 p.m. ET
- Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz: 2:35 p.m. ET
- Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov: 1:40 p.m. ET
- Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel: 12:40 p.m. ET
- Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith: 11:45 a.m. ET
New Co-Main Event for Last Crescendo
Martin Bakole has stepped in to replace IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.
Here’s a look at the updated fight poster, now featuring Bakole in Dubois’ spot.
While the Bakole vs. Joseph Parker fight will not be for the IBF title, Parker’s WBO interim title is on the line. From a pure stylistic and intrigue standpoint, Bakole-Parker has the potential to be an even better fight than the originally planned clash.
Bakole has been one of the most avoided heavyweights in the world since he destroyed Jared Anderson in August 2024. Can his size, power, and durability overcome Parker’s speed, slickness, and experience?
We’ll find out.
The winner of the fight will seemingly be set for a title opportunity against Dubois once he’s healthy and ready to defend his title. Because of that likelihood, the new co-main event is a high-stakes scrap.
Shakur Stevenson Gets a New Opponent
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 21: Shakur Stevenson and Josh Padley pose for a photo during the … [+] weigh-in ahead of their WBC World Lightweight title fight as part of Beterbiev v Bivol 2: The Last Crescendo at Boulevard Fountain on February 21, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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Floyd Schofield Jr. is out with an illness, and the powers that be moved quickly to find a replacement. Josh Padley will step in to face WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson.
Few believed Schofield had a chance to handle the ultra-skilled Stevenson. Even fewer will give Padley a chance to pull the upset of the year. Padley is undefeated at 15-0 with 4 KOs. However, he has only fought 10 rounds twice and has never been in a 12-rounder.
There are a ton of obstacles for him to overcome, and quite frankly, we’d all be shocked if he finds a way to even make this fight competitive. Stevenson is a master in the ring, and because of the obvious gaps, this could be the most lopsided fight of the night.
Be on the lookout for results from all of the fights on the card, along with highlights and reactions from the boxing community.
