Key events
Tale of the tape
Here’s a look at how Beterbiev and Bivol measure up ahead of tonight’s main event. Physically, there’s not much to separate these former Russian amateur teammates: Beterbiev has the slightest of advantages in reach while Bivol has an even scanter edge in height. Both came in just beneath the light heavyweight division limit of 175lbs at yesterday’s weigh-in.
Fabio Wardley beats Frazer Clarke by first-round knockout!
A sensational first-round knockout in the co-main event at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena. Wardley detonates a concussive overhand right hand on Clarke’s jaw that badly hurts the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist near the end of the opening frame, then unloads until Clarke goes to the canvas in a heap. Clarke makes it to his feet but he’s simply not there and referee Victor Loughlin correctly waves it off.
That means there will be a nearly hour-and-a-half wait until the main event, which cannot begin until 1pm local time (11pm in London, 6pm in New York).
Frazer Clarke has made his way into the ring for his British and Commonwealth heavyweight title bout with Fabio Wardley. It’s a rematch of their gripping encounter from March, which ended in a draw. This one could very well steal the show.
Our Donald McRae spoke with Clarke in the run-up.
“I wanted to have breakfast with the British title over my lap – and it wasn’t there. People don’t understand my life and the sacrifices I make, the time I can’t spend with my loved ones, my kids who I missed taking their first steps or saying their first words because I was away at a training camp. People never understand how hard it is to be a boxer.”
I show Clarke a photograph of the canvas after his fight with Wardley. It looks like a Jackson Pollock painting where blood rather than paint has been sprayed and splashed across the canvas. “I’ve seen that photo,” he says, “and it definitely tells a story and shows the reality of our sport.
“I love boxing but it’s dangerous and I have a beautiful family who come first. That photograph is a little reminder that you don’t want it to be your blood. But I’m human and I wouldn’t want to do any lasting damage to anyone.”
Wardley admitted that such fights can take years off a boxer’s career. “In some cases, definitely,” Clarke agrees. “You want an exciting fight but you don’t ever want one like that.”
Clarke then grins helplessly. “But we’re fighters and so, in a strange way, I enjoyed it. Then when you look back you think: ‘Bloody hell!’ A lot of people ask: ‘How do you do it?’ The honest answer is I don’t know.”
When the draw was announced, Clarke looked more disappointed than Wardley. “I knew it was close but a draw was devastating. Still, Fabio and I had a few words full of respect in the changing room. I thanked him because he brought the best out of me.
“It was a really emotional night but there was a beautiful moment when I walked into the bar at the Intercontinental, at the O2, to a standing ovation from 300 people. Everyone wanted to buy me a drink. People were singing my name. Fabio walks in two minutes later to silence. That spoke volumes.”
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has taken the stage to give away a Mercedes G-Wagon. He hits a big red button and the cameras eventually train on to a woman in hijab seated in the north grandstand. Kool & The Gang’s Celebration blasts from the arena soundsystem as she makes her way to the floor to receive the keys. It sure beats the T-shirt cannon!
Jai Opetaia has just stopped Britain’s Jack Massey after Masse’s corner threw in the towel during the sixth round. The 29-year-old Sydneysider has successfully defended his IBF cruiserweight title and it leaves only one more undercard bout: Frazer Clarke and Fabio Wardley for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight title. After that, Beterbiev and Bivol will make their entrances.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena for tonight’s summit meeting between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. There are big fights. There are blockbusters. And there are events like this one which promise to define an era. Tonight’s long-awaited showdown between two unbeaten veterans of the ring and former Russian amateur teammates not simply a delicious clash of styles, but promises to determine generational supremecy in the 175lbs division.
Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO), the WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion, is a Russian-born Canadian knockout artist known for his relentless pressure and devastating power. Bivol (23-0, 12 KO), the Kyrgyzstan-born and California-based technician who holds the WBA strap, is better known for deft counter-punching, disciplined defense and ring intelligence. (Ask Canelo Álvarez.)
Bivol will look to neutralize Beterbiev’s pressure by maintaining distance, using lateral movement and scoring with crisp jabs and counters. Beterbiev will aim to close the distance, cut off the ring and impose his power with in-fighting and body work. The outcome could hinge on who can impose their style on the other.
The main event should kick off in about two hours’ time. Plenty more to come between now and then.
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s a look at Friday’s weigh-ins, where Beterbiev (174.9lbs) and Bivol (174.12lbs) both came in narrowly under the division limit.
