Bivol Gets Revenge, Parker Dominates, Buatsi-Smith Delivers War

his past weekend, Riyadh Season delivered an electrifying night of boxing on February 22, 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event was headlined by the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight championship.

Main Event: Bivol Dethrones Beterbiev

In a thrilling contest, Dmitry Bivol avenged his previous loss to Artur Beterbiev, securing a majority decision victory. The judges scored the bout 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 in favor of Bivol, making him the new undisputed light heavyweight champion. Bivol’s strategic approach and effective counterpunching were pivotal in overcoming Beterbiev’s relentless aggression. 

Undercard Highlights

The event featured a stacked undercard with several notable matchups:

• Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole: Parker delivered a stunning performance, defeating Bakole by TKO in the second round. Parker’s power and precision overwhelmed Bakole early, leading to a swift stoppage. 

• Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley: Stevenson successfully defended his WBC lightweight title, securing a TKO victory over the previously unbeaten Padley in the ninth round. Stevenson’s speed and technical prowess were on full display throughout the bout. 

• Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz: In a closely contested battle for the WBC middleweight title, Adames and Sheeraz fought to a split decision draw. The judges’ scores reflected the evenly matched nature of the fight, setting the stage for a potential rematch. 

• Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov: Ortiz Jr. maintained his unbeaten record with a unanimous decision victory over Madrimov. His relentless pressure and power punching earned him the win on all three judges’ scorecards. 

• Agit Kabayel vs. Zhilei Zhang: Kabayel scored a knockout victory over Zhang in the sixth round, showcasing his power in the heavyweight division. 

• Callum Smith vs. Joshua Buatsi: In a light heavyweight clash, Smith emerged victorious with a unanimous decision over Buatsi, demonstrating his experience and tactical acumen. 

The Riyadh Season event not only provided high-stakes matchups but also delivered on excitement and showcased the global appeal of boxing. Fans around the world were treated to a night of unforgettable performances and dramatic outcomes.