Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn separated by security at Saudi hotelDmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev will finally share a ring tonight, as they meet in an undisputed title fight in Saudi Arabia.
The unbeaten light-heavyweights have orbited one another for some time, and they were due to clash in Riyadh in June, but Beterbiev sustained a knee injury that delayed the bout.
It has now arrived, however, with Beterbiev carrying the WBC, WBO and IBF belts into the Kingdom Arena, while 33-year-old Bivol reigns as WBA Super champion. Both boxers are pound-for-pound stars in the sport, with Beterbiev at No 6 in the Indy Sport rankings and Bivol at No 5.
Beterbiev, even at 39, is one of the most devastating punchers in all of boxing, having compiled a 20-0 record with 20 knockouts. Bivol, meanwhile, has gone 23-0 with 12 KOs as a slick mover, a fluid technician, and a volume puncher.
The contrast in styles should make for an intriguing match-up, and the fight caps off an impressive card: Chris Eubank Jr is in action before the main event, while heavyweights Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke meet in a rematch of one of the fights of the year: their bloody bout for the British title, which ended as a draw in March.
Follow live updates and results from Bivol vs Beterbiev and a stacked undercard, below:
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Chris Eubankr Jr vs Kamil SzeremetaIndy Sport columnist Steve Bunce is on hand to preview Chris Eubank Jr’s fight, which is up next…
“Chris Eubank Jr has had a lot of time to think about where he is going and where he has been in the boxing business.
“Tonight, here in Riyadh, Eubank Jr will have his 37th fight when he meets Poland’s Kamil Szeremeta. It is all part of a much bigger plan, having accepted a unique responsibility outside the ring following the sudden death of his brother Sebastian.
“In recent weeks, the boxer has had a spectacular and very public row with his former promoters and has talked boldly of a series of fights to end his career.
“He is older, wiser and far from finished.”
Full article:
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 19:33
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Skye Nicolson vs Raven ChapmanRound nine
A bit more grappling, before the women separate and Nicolson easily evades a lunging Chapman.
Nicolson then lands a pair of left hooks at close range. More clinching now.
After the round, Chapman’s corner tells her: “I think we just have to give her everything now.”
Round 10
So, Chapman needs a knockout. What can she produce in this final round?
A lot of feints from her, but Nicolson isn’t biting, and so Chapman isn’t going for the shots after all.
When she eventually does, Nicolson continues to pick her off on the counter.
And to the scorecards we’ll go…
Skye Nicolson def. Raven Chapman via unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 98-92).
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 19:20
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Skye Nicolson vs Raven ChapmanRound seven
Chapman is running out of time to make the necessary changes here.
She jabs to the body, in a smarter move, but Nicolson times a counter cross very well.
Now a naked cross, but Chapman can’t stop it.
Round eight
Chapman said before this fight that she can knock out Nicolson. Well, she needs to!
The challenger tries to corner Nicolson, who stays light on her feet and skips into space.
Both women land left hooks before tying up. They separate, and Nicolson connects again with a left hook on the turn.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 19:13
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Skye Nicolson vs Raven ChapmanRound five
Chapman continues to press forward, with Nicolson still content to counter. Another rear uppercut lands for the champion.
Round six
Into the second half of the fight. More counter hooks from Nicolson, although Chapman catches her on the end of a right cross.
Nicolson is smiling, looking like she’s having the time of her life.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 19:07
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Skye Nicolson vs Raven ChapmanRound three
Southpaw Nicolson finally sits down on a shot, and that gets a reaction out of Chapman.
Oh! Well-timed counter from Nicolson. This is better from the Aussie.
A rear uppercut catches out Chapman now. And a hook. Nicolson has found her rhythm.
Chapman with a decent right hand, though, leaping in.
Round four
Will I ever get through one of these events without writing, “These two-minute rounds really fly by”? No.
Into the fourth round of 10. Nicolson with a counter left hook, but Chapman gets through with a right hook.
Nicolson taxes Chapman on a couple of over-eager entries by the Briton.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 19:01
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Skye Nicolson vs Raven ChapmanRounds one and two
A bit of an aggressive start from Chapman, who is pressing forward and keeping Nicolson thinking.
The featherweights briefly grapple, with Chapman landing a decent right hand before that clinch and one after.
There’s a bit of the Whittaker fight in this bout: Nicolson, the favoured fighter, isn’t off to the sharpest start.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:58
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Skye Nicolson vs Raven ChapmanAnyway, the undercard continues!
Skye Nicolson defends the WBC women’s featherweight title against Raven Chapman.
Both fighters are unbeaten. Chapman represents Britain, Nicolson fights out of Australia.
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:47
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Liam CameronWhittaker is now on his stool in the corner, being asked if he wants to continue.
His leg is getting checked. He seems to be in some discomfort. Is it the leg, or a nerve issue from his back?
Some observers will feel like Whittaker is looking for a way out, but either way, the fight is going to the scorecards!
This could be very close. It was trending in Cameron’s direction, but did he do enough across those five rounds to get the win…?
Whittaker won’t be in the ring for the reading of the scorecards; he’s been taken away in a wheelchair!
Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron fight to split draw (technical decision; 58-57, 57-58, 58-58).
How is that a draw? Where was the 10-8 round???
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:36
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Liam CameronRound five
Approaching the midway point of this 10-round fight.
Cameron is talking some trash to Whittaker when they’re clinching, it seems.
Whittaker is taken to the corner by the referee, after Cameron’s team complain about a low blow. The ref warns Whittaker that he’ll be deducted a point if he does it again.
Cameron is landing almost at will now, and… what’s this?!?! As the bell sounds, the fighters tumble over the top rope and onto the ring apron! I’ve never seen that before, except in WWE!
Cameron eventually stands, but Whittaker is still down!
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:33
Bivol vs Beterbiev LIVE: Ben Whittaker vs Liam CameronRound four
The light-heavyweights trade jabs, before Cameron throws a one-two upstairs then a left hook to the body.
There’s some phone-booth fighting, with each man leaning on the other and unfurling body shots.
Lovely combination from Cameron now, mixing up targets – head and body. Cameron tries to fire back with a right hook, but he’s totally off-balance.
Don’t get me wrong, Whittaker is still boxing well, but he’s absorbed the most damage we’ve seen in his pro career so far. He’s tagged by two hooks upstairs, only partially blocking them.
“If you are what you say you are, a superstar…” The lyrics of “Superstar” by Lupe Fiasco ring around the arena. Are you listening, Ben?
Alex Pattle12 October 2024 18:29
