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The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh is set to host one of boxing’s most lucrative rematches on Saturday, February 22, as Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol collide to unify all four light heavyweight titles. Beyond the gloves and glory, this event underscores Saudi Arabia’s strategic play to dominate the global sports economy. Here’s BusinessMole.com’s breakdown of the stakes, logistics, and economic drivers behind the fight of the year.
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Riyadh’s Redemption Showdown Set to Crown Undisputed King Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 is scheduled for Saturday, February 22 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh—the same cutting-edge venue that hosted their debut encounter. With all four major light heavyweight belts (IBF, IBO, WBC, and WBO) on the line, expectations are soaring high.
In their first meeting, Beterbiev clinched a majority decision in a closely contested battle. Despite a resounding finish from Beterbiev, the judges’ scorecards sparked debate: one official even recorded the fight as a draw, while the other two awarded the bout to Beterbiev, one by a margin of four rounds. This victory not only crowned the Montreal fighter as the first undisputed light heavyweight champion since Roy Jones Jr. in 2002, but also left lingering questions that both fighters are eager to address in the rematch.
Date: Saturday, February 22
Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Broadcast Times:
PPV broadcasts kick off at 7 PM GMT, 2 PM ET, and 10 PM Arabia Standard Time.
Main event ring walks are scheduled for approximately 11 PM GMT, 6 PM ET, and 2 AM Arabia Standard Time on Sunday.
The Kingdom Arena, inaugurated in 2023, has quickly become a premier venue for major sporting events. Not only did it host the inaugural Beterbiev vs Bivol bout, but it was also the stage for Dmitry Bivol’s debut victory over Lyndon Arthur to claim the IBO title in December 2023. Additionally, the arena has seen heavyweight clashes like Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk, and it regularly accommodates Saudi Pro League fixtures with a capacity of up to 30,000 in its football configuration.
Fans in the UK can catch Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 via DAZN PPV, Sky Sports Box Office, or TNT Sports Box Office, with DAZN pricing the event at £19.99. Depending on your choice, live streaming is available through the DAZN app, discovery+, or the Sky Sports Box Office app. In the United States, the fight is accessible worldwide on DAZN PPV for $25.99.
Both competitors have personal scores to settle. Dmitry Bivol is determined to reclaim his IBO title and restore his undefeated record, while Beterbiev aims to silence critics who questioned his dominance after failing to secure a stoppage for the first time in his career. Their renewed rivalry promises fireworks, as each fighter looks to solidify his legacy in the light heavyweight division.
Riyadh’s February 22 event is shaping up to be one of the most impressive boxing cards to date. While the rematch headline is the main draw, the card is stacked with other high-profile bouts:
World Title Contests:
Middleweight (WBC title): Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Lightweight (WBC title): Shakur Stevenson vs Floyd Schofield
Interim Title Opportunities:
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith
Regrettably, the IBF heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker has been cancelled due to Dubois falling ill during fight week.
Light Heavyweight (IBF, IBO, WBC & WBO titles):
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
Middleweight (WBC title):
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Lightweight (WBC title):
Shakur Stevenson vs Floyd Schofield
Heavyweight:
Martin Bakole vs Joseph Parker
Super Welterweight:
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov
Heavyweight:
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel
Light Heavyweight:
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith
Artur Beterbiev
Age: 39
Height: 6’0″ (182 cm)
Reach: 72.8″ (185 cm)
Record: 21–0, with an astonishing 95% of wins coming by KO/TKO
Dmitry Bivol
Age: 33
Height: 6’0″ (183 cm)
Reach: 72″ (183 cm)
Record: 22–1, with 50% of his wins coming via KO/TKO
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