Riyadh Season: Beterbiev vs Bivol II, Revisiting The Last Crescendo

On February 22, 2025, a grand stage was raised to resettle the Undisputed Light-Heavyweight Champion in Beterbiev vs Bivol II, and another card was pieced together by Turki Al-Sheikh, inspiring a gathering of diehard fans in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Since Riyadh Season’s conception, Riyadh has hosted many transformative bouts, such as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua’s crossovers with Francis Ngannou, and a spread of Anthony Joshua’s fights—including avenging his losses against Andy Ruiz, Otto Wallin and Alexander Usyk. 

Recently, Fury and Usyk’s two meetings saw the Ukrainian eclipse the Heavyweight division, claiming and solidifying his status as the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. The ambition of the events has grown greatly, intensifying fight cards and seeking better each time. It has given fighters paydays they deserve and enticed boxers to partake in dreamlike nights, with boxing personnel claiming these a collection of main events. 

The Kingdom Arena was curated in a boxing theme. Saudi food pop-ups, non-alcoholic drink bars, punching machines enticing the bravado of mostly men, and WBC merchandise with ballooned Everlast gloves paraded as decor. A trio of gaming stations hosted the Undisputed boxing game, hospitality staff serving a VIP area with hors d’oeuvres, and galleried Krzysztof Paciorek’s boxing artworks. It was a magnificent view. 

Leading up to the rematch, Complex UK was treated with a number of epic fights...

Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith

Even though it started the main card, this was the second best fight of the night. A brilliant display from Smith outclassed a strong willed Buatsi, as the two Brits battled the distance in a terrific back and forth. Clinical countering and sheer volume of Smith peppered an endurable Buatsi, who maintained a stake in the bout. “I always felt I was ahead, but he was always competitive,” remarked Callum Smith, speaking to IFL TV. “There were times where it felt like I was starting to turn the screw, but he’d rally back and get himself back into it. It was one of those fights.” 

Agit Kabayel vs Zhilei Zhang

From a battle of boxing attrition to a heavyweight bout that doubted a decision, Agit Kabayel dispelled the myth of Big Bang Zhang. Kabayel displayed technique as he chipped away at Zhang’s body. Catching the youthful Kabayel in the fifth round—knocking him down with a swift left hand—Zhang seemed exhausted. Accumulated damage affixed in the sixth round, and a barrage of body shots dropped Zhang to his knees. Kabayel now boasts a 26-0 record, adding another terrific name to his resume. 

Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov

A contentious fight between the hard-hitting Ortiz Jr and the elusive Madrimov was the third fight. The nightmarish nature of an amateur boxing king is something to beware, and yet Ortiz Jr’s imposition proved too domineering for the sleek Madrimov. Despite an early lead, swelling Ortiz with combinations, Madrimov’s engine waned as bodyshots stabbed through his defence. A terrific second half display from Ortiz, amid Madrimov’s wantaway tactics, led to a unanimous win.

Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz

What is boxing without a tinge of controversy? In a much-critiqued decision, this fight was declared a draw. But certainly, Carlos Adames—a World Champion—broke a few of the bright lights that decorate Hamzah Sheeraz. A timid display from the Ilford native disappointed but could be excused by a claimed broken fist. Nevertheless, Adames dominated with an impressive display. I scored the fight an Adames win, but the judges felt differently. A draw was a record saviour for Sheeraz, but a rematch is on the cards.

Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley 

Two fighters were changed due to illness—Floyd Schofield and Daniel Dubois—and this presented an opportunity for Yorkshire electrician-turned-boxer Josh Padley to step in for a World Title fight. The technically brilliant Shakur chipped away at an unexpectedly tough Padley; relentless body work exacerbated Padley, bringing him to his knees at the ninth round, where his corner had seen enough. Despite the loss, Padley’s life has changed, with a £375,000 purse for stepping in at just a few days’ notice.

Joshua Parker vs Martin Bakole

Martin Bakole, the Congolese Heavyweight, stepped in for Dubois with only two days’ notice, jumping on a plane and struggling to sleep to feature on the card. Despite trading a few threatening blows, the second round saw the much fitter Parker clip and drop Bakole with a right. The two Heavyweights were at opposite ends of readiness, and while Bakole and Padley ‘saved the card’, it makes sense that we may have to consider second and third options for such major fights.

Artur Beterbiev vs Dimitry Bivol II

This was a wonderful fight, from first second to last, where Bivol was tasked with shepherding a monstrous boxing machine in Beterbiev. Immediately, the iron fists and dominant stature of Beterbiev stalked Bivol around every atom of the ring. To subdue him, Bivol learned from his previous fight and ensured to keep on his toes and counter Beterbiev’s viciousness with halting combinations. Retaining enough stamina for a second wind, Bivol maintained his dominance by drowning out Beterbiev’s attacks, outpunching him accurately. It was a masterclass in technical boxing. Not only did Bivol end Beterbiev’s win streak, he remains the only man that Beterbiev hasn’t knocked down or out. In a fitting end to a grand fight night, Bivol was crowned the Undisputed Light-Heavyweight Champion.