Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to renew hostilities once more as Beterbiev looks to defend the undisputed light heavyweight championship in Saudi Arabia.
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 | SUN 23 FEB 2:30AM AEDT | Artur Beterbiev puts his undisputed light heavyweight championship on the line in a rematch with former champ Dmitry Bivol. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Beterbiev defeated Bivol by majority decision last October to add the WBA belt to his WBC, WBO and IBF titles.
That ended a 20-fight run of consecutive knockouts for Beterbiev, but it was the first loss of Bivol’s professional career.
In that fight, Beterbiev weighed 174.96, while Bivol came in at 174.12. This year, Bivol came in at 174.1, while Beterbiev came in at 175.
The duo had an intense stare down at the weigh ins, with neither keen to back down and give the other a supposed mental edge.
“I hope this fight is going to be better than first fight. We’ll see,” Beterbiev said.
“I’m just focused on the fight. I don’t try to feel some difference, something new, something old. I’ve said enough, I’m focused on the fight… do everything to win,” said Bivol.
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The co-main event features Joseph Parker and Martin Bakole, who was a late call up after Daniel Dubois withdrew just days out due to illness.
Parker came in at 267 pounds, while Bakole did not participate in the weigh ins as he is still flying over to Saudi Arabia.
Despite the lack of a full fight camp, Bakole expects to be in in-ring shape.
The winner will be next in line to face the unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
“It’s been amazing. Martin Bakole, thank you for taking this fight on short notice…. it’s been crazy,” Parker said.
“I look forward to being in the ring with him tomorrow and going to work. I wanted this fight because I want to challenge myself… bring it on!
“There’s a few changes we’ve worked on last night, and it’s all going to come together tomorrow.”
Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 weigh-in results
Artur Beterbiev (c) 175 vs. Dmitry Bivol (174.1) 2 for the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and Ring light heavyweight titles
Joseph Parker (267) vs. Martin Bakole (N/A) for the interim WBO heavyweight title
Shakur Stevenson (c) (134.1) vs. Josh Padley (134) for the WBC lightweight title
Carlos Adames (c) (158.1) vs. Hamzah Sheeraz (159) for the WBC middleweight title
Vergil Ortiz Jr. (153.1) vs. Israil Madrimov (152.1) for the interim WBC super welterweight title
Zhilei Zhang (287.5) vs. Agit Kabayel (241) for the interim WBC heavyweight title
Joshua Buatsi (ic) (175) vs. Callum Smith (174.1) for the interim WBO light heavyweight title
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