SportBoxingDmitry Bivol fights undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev in a light-heavyweight rematch, after Joseph Parker faces Martin Bakole – who replaces the ill Daniel Dubois
Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Editor
Saturday 22 February 2025 17:14 GMT
Joseph Parker on how he survived against Zhilei ZhangArtur Beterbiev will defend the undisputed light-heavyweight titles in a rematch with Dmitry Bivol tonight, four months after their first fight for all the major belts.
In October, the unbeaten Beterbiev won a controversial decision against Bivol to leave Saudi Arabia as the undisputed light-heavyweight king – while Bivol suffered the first loss of his professional career.
Now, Bivol bids for revenge as he returns to Riyadh to box Beterbiev again, after Joseph Parker fights Martin Bakole in the co-main event of a stacked card.
Parker was due to challenge Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title, but the champion withdrew due to illness on Thursday. As a result, Parker faces the “most-avoided” heavyweight in boxing – as Bakole is often referred to – on just two days’ notice.
And there are many other great fights tonight, on what some have called the “greatest” card in boxing history. Follow live updates and results from Beterbiev vs Bivol 2, Parker vs Bakole, and the full undercard:
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleCallum Smith def. Joshua Buatsi via unanimous decision (119-110, 115-113, 116-112)
And NEW WBO interim light-heavyweight champion!
Smith deservedly wins an absolute firefight, taking the belt from Buatsi and ruining the Londoner’s unbeaten record.
HOWEVER… That 119-110 scorecard is mindblowing. Not good scoring at all.
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 18:21
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleRound 12
Final round! I reckon Smith is slightly ahead, but this one could still be in the balance. Who knows what the judges think? Maybe one or two have Buatsi ahead!
Regardless, each boxer will feel they have to win this to be sure! And Smith goes for it! Left hook, right cross! Buatsi looks weary!
Smith is going for the kill, but Buatsi is still retaliating! His mouthpiece comes out again, however! It’s so back and forth now, the action!
Last minute. Eddie Hearn, at ringside, is on his feet, cheering on Smith! And Smith is doing the better work! Buatsi is barely standing, looking hurt and tired!
And…… we’ll go to the scorecards! If that’s not fight of the night by the close of play, I won’t know what to say. Take a bow, Smith and Buatsi.
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)Alex Pattle22 February 2025 18:19
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleRound 11
Championship rounds now. Smith burrows a left uppercut into the midriff of Buatsi.
Buatsi with a good spell now, though!! He works the body of Smith, then moves his offence upstairs! Smith is stumbling about a bit – largely through tiredness, I’d say.
Either way, Buatsi is stalking the Scouser. The blood on Smith’s face has dried and turned a darker red.
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 18:13
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleRound 10
I’ve not been scoring this one, but it feels like Smith is ahead by a few rounds.
He lands a harsh right hand now – that cross has been so available to him in the last few rounds. Buatsi then fires back, but he needs to be first!
He presses forward now with jabs and a left hook. Some body shots mixed in, too – including a couple of thudding ones.
Smith is retreating, and Buatsi senses an opportunity… but he’s not capitalising with enough urgency.
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 18:09
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleRound nine
Smith skids a cross off Buatsi’s face, and the latter is pawing at his right eye now – is the champion cut?
Buatsi lands a spearing jab in any case, but he’s outworked over the next minute.
Big counter right from Smith, which Buatsi takes well! Smith then wrestles the Londoner onto the ropes.
Another fine cross by Smith, but still Buatsi comes back, and he ends the round well!
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 18:05
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleRound eight
Strong round from Smith, with Buatsi just standing in front of the Liverpudlian a bit too much.
Lancing cross by Smith, then a trio of short shots on the counter.
Stiffff jab by Buatsi, nice.
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleRound seven
This is a bit of a slower round, which is understandable, given how chaotic round six was.
Clean right cross by Smith, but Buatsi fires back with a right hook.
Buatsi is keeping his left hand low – getting tired, or trying to lure Smith in?
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)Alex Pattle22 February 2025 17:57
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleRound six
Each man lands a body shot at the same time, oof. Stabbing jabs upstairs from Buatsi now.
Smith continues to invest in the body of Buatsi. He’s having to throw the hooks a bit longer than usual, so he can get beyond the tucked arms of the champion.
OH! Smith goes to the head, HARD! Buatsi is hanging on to him!!
Short left hook to the head, and Buatsi might be wilting?! He takes a huge breath, he’s eating tons of shots!
Buatsi is wobbling about, but he lands a HUGE counter left hook to the head, and Smith stumbles backwards! Now Buatsi is reinvigorated, and he POURS on shots!
WHAT. A. ROUND. MY WORD.
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 17:53
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleRound five
A slower phase to start round five. Both men seem content to recover a little.
Now the tempo increases, and the brutality. Both men are landing simultaneously in many of the exchanges in this fight.
Smith continues to target the body of Buatsi, who does NOT look comfortable right now! He’s focusing more and more on covering up his ribs, and thus eating the odd shot to the head.
Smith knocks out Buatsi’s mouthguard in the corner, and there’s a brief pause before the round resumes.
Buatsi is still game, he’s still firing, but Smith’s body attacks seem to be taking it out of the champion…
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 17:49
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – WBO interim light-heavyweight titleRound four
Lots of body work from each man in the first minute of round four. This is gruelling. I think Buatsi is feeling these; he’s tucking his arms tight to his ribs and bending over a bit…
Smith, meanwhile, has been cut over his right eye. Now Buatsi blasts a left hook onto the cut. Ouch.
Smart body hooks from Smith, then Buatsi replies with a right uppercut and left hook to the head.
Smith gets himself off the ropes with a left hook upstairs. Clean right cross now. Buatsi takes a left hook well at close range.
How much can these two absorb?? Smith’s cut is trickling blood down his cheek now.
Callum Smith (top) and Joshua Buatsi in a gruelling bout (REUTERS)Alex Pattle22 February 2025 17:45
