Boxing

ARTUR BETERBIEV has beaten Dmitry Bivol on points after a thrilling main event in Riyadh!On the undercard, Fabio Wardley has destroyed Frazer Clarke inside ONE round in their long-awaited rematch.While Chris Eubank Jr finally made his return to the ring with a stoppage victory over Kamil Szeremeta, which included a fierce confrontation with rival Conor Benn afterwards.Though Ben Whittaker’s fight against Liam Cameron has ended controversially with both fighters falling over the top rope in never-before-seen circumstances.Whittaker was taken out of the arena in a wheelchair and the fight w was ruled a technical decision split draw.Main event ring-walks: 10.50pm BSTTV channel: DAZN / Sky Sports Box Office / TNT Sports Box OfficeLive stream: DAZN app / NOW / discovery+BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFollow ALL the action with our live blog below…”I did not good today”Artur Beterbiev speaking to DAZN after beating Dmitry Bivol: “I feel not bad. I did not good today. I wanted to box with more quality. I’ll be better one day. It was a little bit uncomfortable. Of course, it was a tough fight because Dmitry is a tough champion and he has tough skills, better than me.”During the fight, we always try to change something. I didn’t deliver more punches, I don’t know. Today I am lucky too.”Copy linkCopied”Utterly robbed”The thoughts of our reporter Wally Downes Jr in RiyadhDmitry Bivol was utterly robbed of undisputed light-heavyweight glory by a Saudi Arabia scandal against Artur Beterbiev.The 33-year-old Russian WBA champ dared to take on the compatriot and silent assassin who held the WBC, IBF and WBO crowns.And he controlled the bearded menace until the judges should have cemented his place in the pantheons of boxing’s best.But one terrible judge called it a: 114-114 draw and the other two managed to be even bigger jokes by scoring it: 116-112 and 115-113.Credit: GETTYCopy linkCopiedInstant classicWhatCredit: GETTYACredit: GETTYFightCredit: GETTYCopy linkCopiedTough oneThat’s a very tough one to take for Dmitry Bivol, who genuinely though he’d done enough to clinch it. He boxed beautifully and he can be proud of himself.Dmitrii Bivol reacts following defeat to Artur BeterbievCredit: GETTYCopy linkCopiedHistoryArtur Beterbiev is now the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. He is the first undisputed champion of the division since Roy Jones Jr in 2002.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev beats Dmitry Bivol by majority decisionArtur Beterbiev gets a razor thin decision from the judges!One judged scored it 114-114, while the other two went 115-113 and 116-12 in Beterbiev’s favour. As I mentioned, the judges clearly preferred his aggression.UndisputedCredit: GETTYCopy linkCopied”That was epic”Former world middleweight champion Darren Barker on DAZN: “What a fantastic contest that was. We saw a bit of everything there for all the marbles in the division. That was epic!”He’s not wrong.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry BivolEddie Hearn is jumping around in the crowd, he thinks his man Dmitry Bivol has done enough. It’s so subjective – do you prefer the accuracy and precision of Bivol or the relentless busy pressure of Artur Beterbiev.The judges will decide.”I still think the draw is on the table here,” says the DAZN commentator.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 12These three minutes could define either one of these man’s careers.Artur Beterbiev doesn’t waste any time in searching for a knockout, but he’s yet to land anything of substance. Remember, Beterbiev has never gone the distance in his professional career.60 seconds left on the clock and Beterbiev is throwing the kitchen sink at Bivol, who wisely clinches to slow things down.The pair have a messy final seconds as the bell goes and Bivol runs to hug his corner. He thinks he’s done enough as Beterbiev looks pensive in his corner.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 11It’s the championship rounds here, folks and Bivol has the advantage. Even Artur Beterbiev’s corner accepts that and have told his man that he requires a knockout.He comes out with bad intentions but Bivol manages to land a good series of punches of his own. Will he regret that flurry of punches? He slows down as Beterbiev connects with some mean body shots.Bivol showing real signs of fatigue here. Can he survive one round and clinch this undisputed title?Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 10Still incredibly tight but a few of the pundits have the scorecards in favour of Dmitry Bivol. And he continues to rise to the occasion with a one-two to the body and head.As we’ve seen throughout the night, Beterbiev returns with pressure and some decent late shots but Bivol’s defence has been amazing tonight.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 9Four rounds remaining, folks. This fight is still well up for grabs with both fighters priced at 10/11 with the bookies.Dmitry Bivol is somehow keeping his composure with some great ‘upstairs, downstairs’ attacks that give Artur Beterbiev something to think about. Another round for Bivol, who’s paced himself wonderfully tonight.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 8Beterbiev has thrown nearly double the number of punches tonight, but Bivol has landed more. It was a fairly quiet round until the final 20 seconds where the pair of them start slugging like a WWE fight – Bivol probably got the better of that exchange.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 7″You’re not tired. Nobody can beat you,” scream Artur Beterbiev’s corner. I wonder what he communicated to them…Is Beterbiev tired? He’s certainly started to mark up a bit and has definitely dropped off in this round. Bivol seizes his opportunity with a terrific combination and some eye-catching shots that the judges will like.Beterbiev comes roaring back in the final 30 seconds, but Bivol seemed to block most of it.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 6This is just mesmerising stuff. It’s the most dangerous chess match ever played.Dmitry Bivol forgot his jab in the last two rounds but he’s found it again and that’s brought him some joy to slow Beterbiev’s relentless pressure. Tough round to score, perhaps Beterbiev because of punch output.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 5Bivol is keeping his hands nice and high when moving around the ring but even the shots he’s blocking make a huge thud.Beterbiev is looking relentless here now. He’s throwing punch after punch and the crowd erupts when Bivol looks briefly unbalanced. Don’t think there was too much damage done, but the pressure is ramping up.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 4Artur Beterbiev is asserting himself a little more at the start of this round, but that doesn’t stop Dmitry Bivol from firing off a fiery one-two before slipping away.That doesn’t deter the 39-year-old, who comes back swinging with some spiteful punches that look real, real nasty. Think that round goes Beterbiev’s way as he grows into the contest.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 3Artur Beterbiev is moving through the gears now. He came out with real intent, throwing two or three heavy rights but Bivol’s movement is preventing him from connecting properly.Dmitry Bivol, as you would expect, remains calm and delivers a cracking one-two to the temple of his opponent.Big hits! Bivol fires off a strong right but Beterbiev returns the favour just seconds later. Neither man is backing down here. It’s exactly what we wanted it to be, folks.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 2I will tell you that this easily the loudest crowd I’ve heard for a fight in Saudi.Artur Beterbiev is known as a slow starter, so Dmitry Bivol will need to make these earlier rounds count. Bivol connects with a nice left hook but Beterbiev just absorbs it, moves forward and attacks with a stiff jab just before the bell. Bivol has probably landed more scoring punches in the opening two rounds.Bivol landed nine jabs in that opening round, which is the most a Beterbiev opponent has ever landed against him.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 1″This is boxing’s version of Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo,” says the DAZN commentator. Quite like that. I’d pay more than £19.99 for that.Anyway, Artur Beterbiev starts on the front foot as the aggressor. He’s taking control of the centre of the ring with Dmitry Bivol dancing around him.No significant damage done or taken from either of these fighters in the opening round – although Bivol enjoyed some good scoring jabs and combinations.But seconds before the bell, both landed and both reacted to those punches.Copy linkCopiedArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – Round 1Ding Ding! It’s show time! Who’s ‘O’ is going to go?Copy linkCopiedLet’s get this party started!Michael Buffer has uttered those five magic words, and that can only mean one thing – the fighters are on their way out now.Now we’ve seen a few stylish and elaborate outfits for the ring walks tonight — but Artur Beterbiev has just entered the ring wearing a sweaty white Fred Perry t-shirt. Love it.He also got from the entrance to the ring in about 30 seconds flat. Dmitry Bivol was no slouch either. We’re moments away.Copy linkCopiedBloody good repMissy Elliott has now finished her performance, and DAZN are showing the preview trailer for this fight.I’ve actually grown to love these trailers ahead of fights — but I’m fairly certain the Voice Over is done by Chris Finch from The Office, right?Chris Finch, IQ of 142, one of the cleverest blokes I know, certainly the cleverest bloke you know.Anyway, I’ve posted the trailer here if you want to get those juices flowing. Warning… it’s over four minutes.Copy linkCopiedUpdateThe show was nice.I won’t lie to you, folks. I popped to the kitchen to grab a KitKat and a brew somewhere between Ciara and Busta Rhymes’ performances. I’m sure it was good.It was a KitKat Chunky if you’re wondering.Copy linkCopiedThe BuffStill looking good, still sounding good – Michael Buffer introduces the musical acts.We’ve got Ciara, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott performing soon after Turki Alalshikh delivers a quick speech and a fireworks display. I would take a screenshot but c’mon, you can imagine what fireworks look like.Copy linkCopied More

FABIO WARDLEY has knocked out Frazer Clarke in round one of their blockbuster rematch.The champ came out of the traps in rapid fashion and caught the challenger with some huge blows.Wardley landed a devastating right to floor Clarke – forcing the referee to wave the bout off after just two minutes and 28 seconds.All the action from this stacked Saudi card, which sees Artur Beterbiev fight Dmitry Bivol at the top of the bill, can be caught on our independent LIVE BLOGTV channel: DAZN / Sky Sports Box Office / TNT Sports Box OfficeLive stream: DAZN app / NOW TV / discovery+CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow ALL the action from Wardley vs Clarke 2 below…Bivol grateful for opportunity, why not a rematch?Bivol expressed his gratitude for having the opportunity and said he “doesn’t have any explanations” because it would sound like excuses, having suffered a first professional defeat tonight.”Congrats to Artur and his team, he deserves it. I don’t know, just did my job and felt I could do better – always feel that way – I didn’t see the fight, he won so what can I say?”Bivol says Beterbiev’s very powerful – no kidding – and cites a bruise on his hand from all the rough-housing, while you can see cuts around his eyes. A rematch? “Why not, of course if I have the chance then yes, this is my dream.Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev: It was uncomfortableHow do you feel, Artur? “I feel… not bad! It wasn’t tough, it was uncomfortable… of course it was a tough fight but [out of us two], Allah chose me.On in-fight changes and confidence in the result: “I always try to change something but I wanted to punch him [more], maybe that’s why I didn’t deliver more punches today. I felt uncomfortable because usually I’m not waiting [for the scorecards].”On the instruction from his corner before R10, telling him he needed a knockout to prevail: “They always say that!”He’s happy to have finally gone the full 12-round, 36-minute distance and pointed to prior experience as a key factor on this occasion in a bout of very fine margins indeed. Rematch feels inevitable next year.Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev wins via majority decision!The bout went to the scorecards for the first time in Artur Beterbiev’s professional career and, given his pressure as well as the impact of his work down the stretch… he gets the nod! 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 the scores as Beterbiev inflicts Bivol’s first career defeat to clinch undisputed status at 175lbs, with a performance that he could’ve done even more in! Wow.Post-fight comments coming.Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R12Into the decder they go, Beterbiev the aggressor and Bivol lands three combos to push him back – very briefly – that relentless pressure persists before Bivol is again warned for pulling the head down when clinching. He won’t mind, he’s trying to avoid a late avalanche of pressure and it’s working as they head into the final minute. Beterbiev throws more power punches but Bivol evades, they’ll need the scorecards…Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R11Bivol unloads a flurry, then Beterbiev does the same and starts throwing uppercuts in the pocket as Bivol teeters away and tries to halt the surge of momentum, tying up momentarily. Bivol shelling up isn’t a good look as Beterbiev advances with another successful pummelling attack, of which there have been many! Final round coming up and it’s still all to play for, hangs in the balance…Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R10Beterbiev with a better stanza as far as punch connects are concerned, Bivol picking his moments though as Artur finishes it strong. Bivol in control, though these spirited bursts can often change the perception of a swing round…Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R9Bivol lands body-head-body, his left hand has found the mark and unsurprisingly that confidence continues to soar as he probably banks another hard-fought round, where Beterbiev’s pressure is patchy and he’s unable to keep this fight at short or mid-distance.Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R8Again, another partially blocked right still pushes Bivol back a few paces midway through another tense round without much noteworthy action to speak of. Bivol’s narrowly missed with a few power hooks, while Beterbiev does the same before they exchange furiously to finish a stanza Bivol kept at his own speed. That suits him far more, can he maintain this?Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R7You can see Beterbiev thinking a lot but throwing less as Bivol pounces, using time against him to throw more flurries and combos in the spaces where he’s not committing forward. Right on cue then, Bivol unloads a bit more than you’d expect and is immediately punished – the final minute sees evasive action needed as Beterbiev builds up scoring punches.Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R6Into the sixth and Beterbiev’s leaning on his earlier body punching, as subtle as it may have seemed. He’s got the crowd going again, Bivol lands a series of punches before Artur answers back with a flurry of his own and Bivol’s screw left jab stops him in his tracks momentarily.Beterbiev needs to be more active, Bivol’s tight defence and movement is stifling that though. When he lands… it’s a worry.Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R5Bivol bobs and weaves out of trouble, armed with the high guard, to keep Beterbiev hitting his gloves and not piercing the defences. They exchange cuffing right hands, Beterbiev gets the crowd going after landing a powerful jab and pressing… the bell comes to Bivol’s aid after trading a little too much for comfort there late!Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R4Into the fourth and Beterbiev, known as a slow-starter, absorbs another slick Bivol flurry before landing a disguised body shot. Still stalking his prey, Beterbiev lands a few rights and Bivol shells up momentarily while retreating before firing back off the ropes as the lateral movement is being stress-tested, though that jab continues to make the unified champion think twice before entering.Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R3Beterbiev gets a face full of jabs early to start the stanza, Bivol emboldended to open up more again and connects flush on a combo but again, needs to be careful… even the partially blocked punches are having an impact and this continues to heat up, evidenced by them trading – briefly – at the end of another competitive round.Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R2Bivol lands a partially blocked left hand to start the stanza, then opens up with a combo as Beterbiev walks forward unbothered, almost welcoming the punches as they fly towards him at speed.Bivol’s boxing well off the back foot but can’t afford to keep going backwards, even if Beterbiev is noticeably more measured with his output than normal. Copy linkCopiedBeterbiev vs. Bivol R1 Rapid ringwalks to grand acclaim, introductions out of the way and the two unbeaten world champions standing opposite one another. Moments away now from the first bell as referee Thomas Taylor reminds them about beltlines… we’re off! Tense start and naturally so, Bivol jabbing to the body and Beterbiev looks purposeful with his subtle moments, waiting to land a fight-altering punch. Jabs to the body are his mode of attack, Bivol fires with a jab combo as they exchange at short-range in centre ring, Bivol looking to open up and take centre, the patience will need to be at another level tonight from *that* Canelo performance if he’s to keep Artur away. Beterbiev lands a sneaky right hand, the round’s best punch, in the final seconds. Ooooh, this is gonna be good!Copy linkCopiedMain event moments away…Artur Beterbiev’s blockbuster light-heavyweight clash against Dmitry Bivol is moments away with the main event reportedly brought forward this evening.Due to the rapid undercard and Fabio Wardley needing just two minutes and 28 seconds to knockout Frazer Clarke in the Co-main event, Beterbiev vs Bivol will take place earlier than expected.For round-by-round updates of the huge undisputed clash, follow SunSport’s independent LIVE BLOG.Copy linkCopiedThen there was one…Stay tuned for the main event, when unified champion Artur Beterbiev faces WBA titleholder Dmitry Bivol in a long-awaited showdown for all the marbles at light-heavyweight. It’ll be the first time since the four-belt era that a new king reigns at 175lbs. I’ve been told we have just under an hour to wait, by virtue of quick stoppage victories for Chris Eubank Jr and (pressingly!) Fabio Wardley’s first-round destruction job at Frazer Clarke’s expense.I’ll still be here but James Anderson is poised to take you through the action, so click and follow that live blog commentary here. Ready?Copy linkCopiedWarren stays winning!After Raven Chapman sadly fell well short in her WBC world featherweight title shot against Skye Nicolson earlier tonight, Frank Warren will be delighted that his new signee Fabio Wardley has done exactly as he outlined in Thursday’s presser: make a statement! Heavyweight boxing is so unpredictable that you never really know when a new contender emerges to become a mainstay within the world-level landscape, much like Agit Kabayel and Martin Bakole have done – powered by Riyadh Season cards – over the past year or so.Wardley, trained by highly-rated coach Ben Davison, shares him with former unified champion Anthony Joshua and rising teen star Moses Itauma among others, and it’ll be interesting to see how Warren manoevures him in next given those highly-ranked contenders now. As for Clarke, who made his 10th professional appearance tonight and turned 33 in August, one can only wonder how he rebuilds after such a stunning stoppage defeat. Unlike their March meeting, what positives can he possibly take from a conclusive first career defeat?Copy linkCopiedAND STILL! Wardley speaks…R1, 2:28 is the official time of the stoppage, in what was a tentative round for 90 seconds or so… Round 13 indeed, true to his word!Wardley on his fast finish: “Always know once I’ve hurt someone, I get rid of them. Went into the first fight with a lot of background stuff, my team said maybe we should pull out, had a couple of issues but we fixed them and got the gameplan right, executed on the night.””Sometimes it takes a little bit of brains, I took enough from the first fight where I had success but needed to be a bit cuter, set things up and disguise them. I can’t help it! War by name and nature.”He concluded the interview saying while his series of titles look great, he wants to become a world champion and doubled down on a desire to return to Saudi shores after two stoppages in Riyadh a year apart.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedWardley with concussive R1 finish!There are several concerned people in the ring around Clarke’s corner, Wardley passionately celebrating and shoving team members off him to get his point across, we’ll see what he’s unhappy about shortly. Eventually Clarke rises to his feet and the pair share a nice moment, while replays show the sequence of events which led to the finish.Clarke looked like he’d been snake-bitten, Wardley pounced to body-and-head. Having spun him around off the ropes while still unsteady, a three-punch combo was all she wrote – an overhand right to end it.Copy linkCopiedWardley vs. Clarke R1We’re off! A promotional showdown between Frank Warren and Ben Shalom too, which adds another interesting layer if you’re so inclined. Clarke feinting plenty in the early going, looking to flick out that jab and see what sort of reactions the champion gives him in response.Wardley throws an overhand right that wobbles Clarke, he looks hurt and certainly is! Just like that, pinned in the corner, he’s crumbled to a knee and ref Victor Loughlin wisely waves it off after a five-count.Clarke looks worse for wear, his face tells the story and it’s all over!Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedRingwalk and introduction time!Clarke savours the moment on stage with two songs, the second lyrically modified to prop him up at Wardley’s expense – think Zhilei Zhang against Joseph Parker (didn’t go very well for him but hey…)Wardley walks out to Can’t Be Touched and the lyrics for that are fitting for the must-watch fighting style he possesses too. Round 13 anyone? We’re about to see whether Fabio is true to his word.Copy linkCopiedWardley-Clarke 2 up next…It’s almost time for the evening’s chief support bout and without wanting to jinx it, I must say, things are flying by – refreshing. Opetaia’s doing his post-fight interviews ringside and taking pictures with local fans after a destructive performance that will only whet the appetite for him to face the CBS-Zurdo winner in early 2025.Alalshikh told ESPN in early May that he originally planned to match the Beterbiev-Bivol loser with Opetaia, who could very well move up to join the cruiserweight ranks in 12-18 months’ time. Who knows?Copy linkCopiedOpetaia speaks…WBA president Gilberto Mendoza Jr watched ringside and that title will be on the line come November 16 when Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez boxes WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith in a Riyadh unification duel.On what was a near flawless title defence: “I felt good, nothing but respect to Jack and his family, big thanks to my family too… we jumped through some hurdles to get here, so many ups and downs but we stayed strong and together… the ins and outs of boxing.” R6, 2:00 was the official time of the TKO (corner retirement), as the 29-year-old – who won his $1.6m legal case against former promoter Dean Lonergan on Thursday – has even more reason to celebrate.Copy linkCopiedOpetaia stops Massey in the sixth!In round five, I can hear more of Massey’s support team further back in the crowd barking insutrctions, urging their man to throw with Opetaia and match his pace. If you could ever show a novice an example of levels in this sport, it’d be this fight unfolding right here. Massey’s a bloodied mess through five rounds and Jai is jogging on the spot between rounds unbothered, almost as if he’s sparring.”Don’t let him back you up,” is the cry from Jonas, but it’s falling on deaf ears as Massey is being picked apart further… Joe Gallagher wisely throws the towel in and no-one can have any complaints really.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopied More

CHRIS EUBANK JR was victorious on his return to the ring after beating Kamil Szeremeta by TKO.’Next Gen’ floored the Polish fighter twice before the referee called off the fight in the seventh round.Eubank Jr claimed the vacant IBO Middleweight title for a third time on the night.Conor Benn stormed the ring at the end of the bout, prompting further anticipation for the blockbuster all-Brit clash with Next Gen.TV: DAZN / Sky Sports Box Office / TNT Sports Box OfficeLive stream: DAZN app / NOW TV / discovery+CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow our live blog below…Ouch!Going back to that Wardley fight, Frazer Clarke’s head was a mess.Check out the dent in Frazer’s head.Copy linkCopiedThe KOThis was the moment the ref called time on Kamil.Eubank scored the KO in round 7. It was a brutal display by the Brighton bruiser.Copy linkCopiedFull reportSunSport’s boxing man Wally Downes has the lowdown on the Eubank fight.Read his brilliant report below.Copy linkCopiedMeanwhile…FABIO WARDLEY has destroyed Frazer Clarke in one, single brilliant round that left the battered challenger with a dent in his temple.After the fight, he said: “I know that once I hurt someone, I can get rid of them.“I had a few issues for the first fight but I got rid of them, had a gameplan and executed it.“I learned enough from the first fight to know I had enough to beat him properly. “I can’t help it, it’s my name; War by name War by nature.“I want belts and titles next, these domestic ones are great but I want the ones that have ‘world’ written on them.”Copy linkCopiedFighting talk from BennConor Benn has made a chilling promise to Chris Eubank Jr.He took to X to reveal what he plans to do.Benn wrote: “I promise you I will chin this idiot in Inside 3 rounds”Copy linkCopiedEubank Jr reactsChris Eubank Jr has already shared his thoughts about his ring bust-up with Conor Benn.Brilliantly, he took to X and challenged Benn to a fight.Copy linkCopiedTwo blockbuster fights remainUp next in Riyadh is the highly-anticipated rematch between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke.Seven months ago the two heavyweight stars put on one hell of a show at the O2 Arena, with many dubbing it the fight of the year.You can follow all the action from Wardley vs Clarke 2 with our independent LIVE BLOG.And last but not least, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol meet for a huge light-heavyweight clash.The two will be aiming to become undisputed light-heavyweight champion – and you can catch all the action with our independent LIVE BLOG.Copy linkCopiedAmusingly…Quite funnily, it was Brazilian footballer Neymar who was in the thick of it.He was there, breaking it all up.What a laugh.Copy linkCopiedHere’s that mad momentHow on earth Benn managed to get himself in the ring is anyone’s business.But here’s the moment the two went face-to-face in the ring.We should have had this two years ago, if only Benn didn’t fail a drugs test.Maybe we will get it in the near future in a future Riyadh season event?Copy linkCopiedMore action to follow…Still three more fights to go! Jai Opetaia defends his IBF cruiserweight world title against Jack Massey, before an exciting British heavyweight title rematch between defending champion Fabio Wardley and Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke.Then we have the one we’ve all been waiting an age for: Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol for undisputed status at light-heavyweight. Copy linkCopiedBenn fires back, wants rescheduled grudge match next”You think you can beat me off the back of that?” Benn scoffs as he blasts Eubank Jr’s stoppage win.”Sign the contract and we’ll see what happens, you have to come up [weight divisions] now,” Eubank replies.Al-Hilal forward Neymar, formerly of Barcelona and PSG, was in the ring rather humorously overseeing their confrontation. He’s a friend of Eubank Jr, given their shared love of… poker and the US nightlife! They butt heads before walking off, adding more spice to a matchup which needs little now. They were scheduled to box two years ago this month, before Benn tested postive for clomifene.Copy linkCopiedEubank speaks…On how he felt his performance was? “I was having fun in there, could’ve finished it in the first-round but needed to feel the energy of the Saudi crowd, it was beautiful! Had fun and that was the main thing, to work on things… got a big fight coming up next.” His uppercut tendencies: “Kamil’s a tough guy, certain people get hurt and look for a way out, knew body shots would take him out and worked on things with my new coach Johnathon Banks.” Says the partnership between them went beautifully for their debut together, Banks most notably was previously Golovkin’s trainer.Copy linkCopiedEubank via R7 TKO, Benn in the ring!For all the security ringside, somehow welterweight Conor Benn has managed to get from his seat into the ring without fuss and angrily confronts Eubank Jr – before the result is even announced – just like he did yesterday prior to the ceremonial weigh-ins. Unsavoury scenes.The crowd stir as it appears Benn pushed, or attempted to hit Eubank Jr while they were exchanging words… now I see Hamzah Sheeraz talking to TNT Sports just outside the ring apron.1:50 of R7 is the official time, with referee John Latham mercifully stopping Szeremeta from further damage.Copy linkCopiedEubank Jr vs. Szeremeta R7Eubank Jr lands a barrage of body punches early in the stanza forcing Szeremeta to take a knee, and the end looks very near now. He’s teeing off on the Pole, who does his best to withstand punishment but is being hit far too often and it’s taking a toll.Right on cue, he’s floored a second time in the round and the referee wisely waves it off! Copy linkCopiedEubank Jr vs. Szeremeta R6I’m told the cut Eubank Jr suffered earlier on, where he is sporting some blood, was caused by an accidental head clash.Just as I’m searching for further details, Chris drops Szeremeta a second time at the end of a three-punch combination!Left uppercut, right to the body and a right to the head leaves Szeremeta having to climb back to his feet a second time. Into the second-half now though… Copy linkCopiedEubank Jr vs. Szeremeta R5Szeremeta starts better and Eubank almost gets caught clean as his lazy entry away to the ropes is met by an acknowledging nod by the Pole, holding his own here now and giving as good as he’s getting.I wouldn’t say we’ve quite hit a lull yet, but Eubank Jr’s urgency has slowed, and Szeremeta is more than happy to stifle him in the centre ring.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedEubank Jr vs. Szeremeta R4The third was a lot more scrappy, Eubank Jr down twice after losing his footing near the ropes but the pair are suddenly throwing haymakers with mean intentions to kick off this fourth stanza, wow! Chris leading the dance as expected, then the pace predictably slows a touch and allows him a chance to probe behind his jab if he so pleases.Instead he’s throwing that right hand, getting countered upon occasion for standing still too long and Szeremeta’s confidence will have grown, even if he is wearing some damage and losing this.Copy linkCopiedEubank Jr vs. Szeremeta R3The referee warns them about something, unclear what, early at the start of the third as Eubank lands some scoring shots up close.They’re separated but only briefly as he goes back to the well, an increasingly marked up face for his troubles, trying to time the fight-ending sequence that will get him a highlight reel knockout. I hear instructions ringside from one broadcaster to get European middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz’s view on how this fight is going – another to call Eubank out – wonder what he thinks?Copy linkCopiedEubank Jr vs. Szeremeta R2It was a nicely-executed right hand that dropped Szeremeta, as shown on the replays. Elsewhere, I can see a very animated Conor Benn ringside reacting too… he knows how much money is potentially still on the table for him in a prospective grudge match against Chris.Jr lands a succession of sneaky uppercuts on the inside against the Pole, who has no answer for that shot and instead opts to try closing distance between them. It doesn’t last though, he’s wobbled by another shot and I’d be very surprised if this bout goes beyond the middle rounds at this rate.Three more uppercuts land flush for Eubank, who has no problem finding the target tonight. Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedEubank Jr vs. Szeremeta R1They’re off! Szeremeta in the red and white befitting his beloved Poland, while Eubank has black and gold – the same style you see UFC champions sporting, if that’s your thing. Eubank starts by picking his shots on the outside, then chains together a combination which drops Szeremeta barely a minute in!Szeremeta’s legs still look unsteady after beating the referee’s count but he gathers his bearings once more, whizzing wildly and landing a pair of right hands to gain Eubank’s respect again, then stinging him in the final half-minute. Fun first round! How long it’ll last, is anyone’s guess.Copy linkCopiedEubank Jr, meanwhile…Having celebrated his 35th birthday last month, the Brighton-born star attraction avenged a stunning R4 TKO defeat by Liam Smith eight months later in 2023 – though inactivity has been a familiar problem for the former IBO world super-middleweight titleholder. Smith is here tonight and has insisted he wants a trilogy bout, though Chris has bigger targets on his radar: Conor Benn, a Billy Joe Saunders rematch and other, more outlandish opponents too.Copy linkCopiedA bit on Szeremeta…Poland’s Szeremeta boxed to a 10-round draw on home soil against Abel Mina on February 24 at super-middleweight, after a pair of wins last year. The last time he faced someone at world-level was back in June 2021, where he suffered a sixth-round defeat by Jaime Munguia.Six months before that, he lasted just a round longer in a IBF and IBO world middleweight title opportunity against Kazakh legend Gennadiy Golovkin. As I can hear his music hits…Copy linkCopiedEubank Jr time! Well, not quite. Both fighters are doing an interview with TNT Sports’ Steve Bunce right now, but in a few minutes’ time, they’ll do introductions and the like for a middleweight contest no-one was expecting… but now we get it! Chris Eubank Jr makes his return after a 13-month absence, boxing seasoned veteran Kamil Szeremeta.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedNicolson retains WBC featherweight gold! All respect between the pair as they meet in centre ring and share a hug, having played their part in a historic world title fight on Saudi shores for the first time. As a neutral, you can only wish this was more entertaining though perhaps Amanda Serrano is the only woman in this division who can bring that out of the 29-year-old Australian. Comfy winner here.Scorecards: 99-91, 98-92, 98-92 Skye NicolsonCopy linkCopiedFinal round! Nicolson on the verge..After an eighth with little noteworthy action, the ninth is busier.Nicolson lands clean which briefly sees Chapman stumble backwards midway through the ninth, the champion is stung by a stray left but is smart enough to manoevure away and evade further danger. Final round coming and Raven needs a stoppage in this next stanza to win.Copy linkCopied More