BOXING history is littered in so-called ‘best card of all time’ shouts over the years.
However, the card lined up for Saturday night in Riyadh will certainly rival anything that has ever been put together in boxing – despite two late changes.
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s rematch will headline the card.
There was previously a co-main event between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker for the heavyweight title – but Dubois has been forced to withdraw because of illness.
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole is now one of the chief supporting acts after the feared heavyweight stepped in at short notice.
Beterbiev and Bivol bout is sparked from the pair’s initial fight in the Middle East last October, where the former won a narrow decision for the undisputed light-heavyweight titles.
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Resurgent former world champion Parker on a five-match win streak will look to disrupt any supposed formalities.
Martin Bakole took the fight on very short notice, only jetting into Riyadh for the fight against Parker on Friday morning.
Fellow British fighters Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith will open up the night, as their meet-up presents crunch time for both.
Buatsi is looking to deliver on the promise hailed on him since holding the British title in 2019.
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Smith has the opportunity to show he still deserves a place at the top of the sport after a couple of failed title shots.
Meanwhile, pound-for-pound star Shakur Stevenson will now defend his WBC lightweight title against unbeaten Brit Josh Padley after Floyd Schofield was also forced to withdraw.
When is Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole?
- Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole is set to take place on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol II, on Saturday, February 22.
- The card gets underway from 4pm GMT, with Parker and Bakole to fight before the main event at around 9pm GMT.
- The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- SunSport will bring you all the action from EVERY fight with our live blog
Full card
- Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – for the IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO light-heavyweight titles
- Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole
- Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley – for the WBC lightweight title
- Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz – for the WBC middleweight title
- Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov – for the interim WBC heavyweight title
- Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel – for the interim WBC heavyweight title
- Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – for the interim WBO light-heavyweight title
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
