Home Columns ‘Greatest card ever’ – Social media reacts to Beterbiev vs Bivol 2...

‘Greatest card ever’ – Social media reacts to Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 bill

Beterbiev-Bivol 2 tops stacked bill in Riyadh on Feb 22

By
Jonathan Nagioff
-
Artur Beterbiev will rematch Dmitry Bivol on February 22 in Riyadh in a card being hailed as the
Artur Beterbiev will rematch Dmitry Bivol on February 22 in Riyadh in a card being hailed as the "greatest" bill of all-time Photo Credit: Turki Alalshikh

Turki Alalshikh’s latest Riyadh Season card, headlined by the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol on February 22 is being hailed as one of the greatest cards of all-time.

Alalshikh, the head of boxing in Saudi Arabia, finally confirmed on Monday evening what was widely reported for several weeks that Beterbiev and Bivol would run it back following a thrilling first bout in October, which Beterbiev emerged victorious in by majority decision to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion.

All four belts will once again be at stake, with Bivol looking to avenge his only professional defeat.

As well as the rematch, six further bouts were announced, including three world title fights.

Daniel Dubois, coming off a ruthless fifth round stoppage over Anthony Joshua, will defend his IBF heavyweight world title for the second time against former world champion, Joseph Parker.

Shakur Stevenson puts his WBC lightweight crown on the line against rising prospect, Floyd Schofield, whilst Hamzah Sheeraz vies for a maiden world title when he meets WBC middleweight titlist, Carlos Adames.

Beterbiev and Bivol run it back on February 22 Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Beterbiev and Bivol run it back on February 22 Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

An all-British light heavyweight clash between Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith, a heavyweight showdown between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel and a super welterweight battle featuring Vergil Ortiz Jr and Israil Madrimov round off the blockbuster bill, with all three bouts being contested for interim titles.

Broadcasters have not been confirmed for the event, however Alalshikh says he will slash the pay-per-view price in the USA to “no more than $25.99”, as part of his plan to reduce the exterminate prices seen particularly in the USA, with the event set to cost £19.99 in the UK.

Many were quick to hail the event labelled ‘The Last Crescendo’ as the “greatest card” they’ve ever seen.

Here’s how the boxing world reacted to the announcement:

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR