On the night of February 22, 2025, boxing fans witnessed two thrilling matches headlining the "Last Crescendo" card, as Dmitry Bivol faced Artur Beterbiev and Joseph Parker went toe-to-toe with Martin Bakole. The events took place at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, where Bivol seized the day to become the undisputed light-heavyweight champion, and Parker made quite the statement with his second-round knockout.
The main event showcased Bivol avenging his earlier controversial loss to Beterbiev. Just four months prior, Bivol lost to Beterbiev via decision, but this time, he came prepared and determined to turn the tide. Bivol exhibited incredible skill throughout the fight, skillfully using his footwork to create distance and delivering sharp scored punches. After twelve rounds, Bivol earned the judges’ nod with scores reading 114-114, 116-112, and 115-113, which led to his claim of all four major light-heavyweight titles.
Speaking after the fight, Bivol expressed his joy and relief: "I’m so happy. I went through a lot the last few years. Thank you everybody so much. I lost and I felt a little bit easier, I didn’t have as much pressure like last time... I just wanted to work from the first round to the end of the 12th. I did enough." His victory not only establishes him firmly at the top of the light-heavyweight division but also opens the door for potential rematches and challenges against other top contenders.
Meanwhile, the co-main event featured New Zealand's Joseph Parker facing off against late substitute Martin Bakole, who stepped in after Daniel Dubois withdrew due to illness just 48 hours before the fight. Initially scheduled to contest for Dubois’ IBF title, Parker instead defended his interim title against Bakole, who delivered impressive performances leading up to the match. Despite the late call-up, Bakole was unbeaten since 2018 and had demonstrated knockout power prior to this match.
The contest, which began somewhat evenly, rapidly swung in Parker's favor. By the second round, Parker landed a crushing right hand over Bakole, sending the Congolese fighter to the canvas. Though Bakole managed to rise, his corner quickly recognized the dire situation and threw in the towel, leaving Parker to claim victory by TKO.
After the fight, Parker articulated his desire to climb higher within the heavyweight rankings, emphasizing his readiness for any opponent. “I want to fight for the world title again. That’s the best way. Catch them when they’re coming in. I will fight anyone and everyone,” he remarked. His emphatic performance certainly puts him back on the radar for heavyweight title fights.
Both Bivol’s and Parker’s victories earned them considerable respect and recognition not only from the fans but also from boxing greats, including former champions like Anthony Joshua, who praised both fighters' performances. Joshua commented on Bivol's strategic approach and indicated excitement over the prospects of Bivol and Beterbiev meeting again for another fight. Beterbiev himself, displaying sportsmanship after the loss, congratulated Bivol and hinted at the possibility of embarking on their trilogy bout.
“I congratulate Bivol and his team,” said Beterbiev. “I didn’t want the second fight, it wasn’t my choice, but we’ll do the third fight!” Following his heroic efforts, Bivol is also eyeing new challenges after expressing the need for some rest to recover from prior injuries.
The fights on the undercard also delivered excitement. Shakur Stevenson successfully defended his WBC lightweight title against Josh Padley, stopping him with effective punches late in the ninth round. Meanwhile, Agit Kabayel captured the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title by halting Zhilei Zhang with sixth-round KO, and Callum Smith defeated Joshua Buatsi, who suffered his first professional defeat.
Boxing enthusiasts are left buzzing after the dramatic events of the night as eyes turn toward future matchups, with many hopeful to see Bivol and Beterbiev clash again, and Parker potentially challenging Oleksandr Usyk for the heavyweight title. With both fighters at the pinnacle of their respective divisions, the discourse surrounding upcoming bouts promises to ramp up as the year continues. Expect to see heightened tensions and anticipation for whoever the victors may face next!