Brunch Boxing Preview: Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2
- Ezra Hernandez
- Feb 22
- 6 min read
02/22/2025
Where To Watch: 📺 DAZN PPV, Sky Box Office (UK), TNT Box Office (UK and Ireland) BrunchBoxing.com (Live Round by Round Coverage)
Programming Note: Telecast starts at 11 AM EST, live on DAZN PPV.
The ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, plays host to “The Greatest Boxing Card of All Time,” as Riyadh Season presents a jam-packed night of action. Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol meet in a rematch of their October undisputed light heavyweight clash, with a “monster” awaiting the winner.
That’s just the main event of a stacked card featuring six world title fights.
After a chaotic fight week—marked by allegations of poisoning, multiple illnesses, and last-minute replacements—fight night finally takes center stage. This massive event is presented by Queensberry Promotions, Top Rank Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Golden Boy Promotions, BOXXER, and Matchroom Boxing.
Brunch Boxing previews Saturday’s action.
Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) vs. Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: Beterbiev’s WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF Light Heavyweight Championships
Analysis: Bivol used his footwork excellently in the first fight, and Beterbiev struggled to get into position. A key moment was when Bivol got greedy after thinking he hurt Artur, only to end up getting hurt himself. That moment swung the round and gave Beterbiev the momentum he needed. Bivol needs to stick to the same strategy—dancing around the ring, controlling the center, and staying disciplined. Beterbiev can’t match his hand speed, but he can time his offense in between Bivol’s attacks.
Gambling Odds
Beterbiev: -138 ML, +210 KO/TKO, +250 Decision.
Bivol: +108 ML, +1300 KO/TKO, +130 Decision.
Total Rounds: Over 10.5 at -280, Under 10.5 at +205.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at -250, No at +186.
Total Knockdowns: Over 0.5 at -135, Under 0.5 at -120; Over 1.5 at +210, Under 1.5 at -320.
Final Thoughts: In the first fight, the judges favored Beterbiev’s power shots over Bivol’s overall work, and that could happen again depending on what they’re looking for. The fight will likely play out similarly, but this time, Bivol won’t get greedy.
EzRaw’s Prediction: Bivol Decision
Raw Hard Cash Bet: Bivol Moneyline +106
Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) vs. Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: Parker’s Interim WBO Heavyweight Championship
Analysis: Bakole is a late replacement for this fight— and by late, we’re talking just 24 hours’ notice. Parker has experienced a resurgence in his career, but his biggest wins have come against Zhang, who has major gas tank issues, and Wilder, who is past his prime. Now, he faces a Bakole who is coming in off the couch—and looks it.
Gambling Odds
Parker: -190 ML, +130 KO/TKO, +290 Decision.
Bakole: +148 ML, +195 KO/TKO, +900 Decision.
Total Rounds: Over 8.5 at -112, Under 8.5 at -112.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at +182, No at -240.
Total Knockdowns: Over 0.5 at -270, Under 0.5 at +180; Over 1.5 at +115, Under 1.5 at -180.
Final Thoughts: Parker may have to weather some early pressure, but the second half of the fight should be all his, similar to the Zhang bout.
Prediction: Parker Decision
Raw Hard Cash Bet: Parker Decision +300
Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) vs. Josh Padley (14-0, 5 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: Stevenson’s WBC Lightweight Championship
Analysis: Shakur is in a position where he needs to dominate and secure a stoppage. Anything short of that will be a disappointment.
Gambling Odds
Stevenson: -4500 ML, -250 KO/TKO, +185 Decision.
Padley: +1600 ML, +2500 KO/TKO, +3300 Decision.
Total Rounds: Over 7.5 at -150, Under 7.5 at +118.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at +178, No at -235.
Total Knockdowns: Over 1.5 at +100, Under 1.5 at -165; Over 2.5 at +280, Under 2.5 at -430.
Final Thoughts: Padley simply doesn’t have the attributes to make this competitive.
Prediction: Stevenson KO/TKO
Raw Hard Cash Bet: Stevenson KO/TKO -250
Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) vs. Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: Adames’s WBC Middleweight Championship
Analysis: Sheeraz is a rangy power puncher who is coming into his own. Adames has explosive offense, but his defense is highly flawed. If Hamzah finds his range early, it could turn into target practice, forcing Adames to land between Hamzah’s shots to shift the momentum. Sheeraz’s long arms can create openings when he lets his hands go.
Gambling Odds
Adames: +215 ML, +360 KO/TKO, +650 Decision.
Sheeraz: -290 ML, +105 KO/TKO, +250 Decision.
Total Rounds: Over 9.5 at -130, Under 9.5 at +102.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at +142, No at -182.
Total Knockdowns: Over 0.5 at -210, Under 0.5 at +135; Over 1.5 at +130, Under 1.5 at -200.
Final Thoughts: Hamzah has too much talent, and his technique is tightening up to the point where this could become very one-sided by the fifth round.
Prediction: Sheeraz KO/TKO
Raw Hard Cash Bet: Sheeraz KO/TKO +120
Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) vs. Israil Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: Ortiz’s Interim WBC Junior Middleweight Championship
Analysis: Madrimov is an explosive fighter, but in between those bursts of offense, his game can be exposed. Vergil isn’t going to sit back patiently and try to read foot feints, but that could leave him vulnerable to an explosive shot. We’ve seen Ortiz hurt and dropped before, but we haven’t seen Madrimov deal with the kind of pressure he’ll face in this fight.
Gambling Odds
Ortiz: -124 ML, +360 KO/TKO, +175 Decision.
Madrimov: -102 ML, +380 KO/TKO, +200 Decision.
Total Rounds: Over 10.5 at -215, Under 10.5 at +164.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at -215, No at +162.
Total Knockdowns: Over 0.5 at -165, Under 0.5 at +105; Over 1.5 at +130, Under 1.5 at -195.
Final Thoughts: Madrimov’s positioning errors will get exposed, and he may hit the canvas multiple times before it’s all said and done.
Prediction: Vergil Ortiz KO/TKO
Raw Hard Cash Bet: Fight To Go The Distance (No) +148
Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs) vs. Agit Kabayel (25-0, 17 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: The vacant Interim WBC Heavyweight Championship
Analysis: Zhang is the most dangerous heavyweight in the first four rounds, but his output drops off significantly in the second half of the fight. Agit Kabayel is a heavyweight with a versatile skill set—he can move around the ring and box strategically, but he can also apply pressure and break down his opponent.
Gambling Odds
Zhang: +124 ML, +195 KO/TKO, +600 Decision.
Kabayel: -158 ML, +200 KO/TKO, +220 Decision.
Total Rounds: Over 8.5 at -126, Under 8.5 at -102.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at +122, No at -156.
Total Knockdowns: Over 0.5 at -230, Under 0.5 at +150; Over 1.5 at +130, Under 1.5 at -195.
Final Thoughts: Agit won’t be an easy target early on, and when Zhang slows down, he’ll turn up the heat. Zhang may get stopped late due to an accumulation of body shots and his cardio failing him.
Prediction: Kabayel KO/TKO
Raw Hard Cash Bet: Kabayel KO/TKO +200
Joshua Buatsi (19-0, 13 KOs) vs. Callum Smith (30-2, 22 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: Buatsi’s Interim WBO Light Heavyweight Championship
Analysis: Buatsi is in his prime, while Smith is past his and has some miles on him. Smith can land a game-changing shot, but he isn’t as sharp as he once was, so finding that shot won’t come easy.
Gambling Odds
Buatsi: -215 ML, +330 KO/TKO, +110 Decision.
Smith: +164 ML, +470 KO/TKO, +330 Decision.
Total Rounds: Over 10.5 at -310, Under 10.5 at +225.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at -230, No at +176.
Total Knockdowns: Over 0.5 at +100, Under 0.5 at -160; Over 1.5 at +210, Under 1.5 at -310.
Final Thoughts: Buatsi will limit his opportunities and ride out a decision victory.
Prediction: Buasti Decision
Raw Hard Cash Bet: Buasti Decision +110
The Rest of the Card:
Ziyad Almaayouf (6-0-1, 1 KO) vs. Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira (6-20, 5 KOs), 6 rounds, junior welterweight
Mohammed Alakel (2-0, 0 KOs) vs. Engel Gomez (8-42-3, 4 KOs), 6 rounds, lightweight
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