Error code: %{errorCode}
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 betting tips: Boxing preview and best bets for Last Crescendo fight night tonight
Boxing betting tips: Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 / Last Crescendo
- Beterbiev to win by decision or technical decision at 13/5
- Kabayel to win by KO, TKO or DQ at 9/5
- Sheeraz to win by KO, TKO or DQ at 21/20
- DAZN BOXING ACCA - Kabayel, Bakole, Sheeraz all to win by KO/TKO/DQ - boosted to 20/1 (from
17/1)
Click here for full DAZN Bet boxing markets
Click here to get Superboosted 20/1 ACCA with DAZN Bet
The extraordinary Saudi DAZN pay-per-view broadcast this weekend – along with being the boxing bill of the century - is also an absolute punters’ paradise.
In the main event Artur Beterbiev meets Dmitry Bivol once again in a blockbuster rematch in Riyadh.
The two best light-heavyweights in the world fought out a high-class encounter for the undisputed 175lbs title which went in Beterbiev’s favour by split decision (and it really was that close).
Artur’s strong finish in the last three rounds swung it for him, but the fight was a round away from being scored a draw and plenty of respected judges had Bivol edging it.
This Saturday night the two men will duke it out once again for the same title at the same Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, and as you would expect DAZN Bet are struggling to split them with Beterbiev a 4/5 shot (-125 in American odds) and Bivol chalked up at even money. The draw, which may tempt a few sharps, is a 16/1 chance.
Bivol has exceptional timing, punch variation and footwork. To watch him at work is to watch a fighter at the very top of their game showcasing rotation, relaxed power and tendon elasticity.
The Russian put a beating on boxing’s cash cow Canelo Alvarez in 2022, and how many people can say they have done that?
In contrast, Beterbiev is like the Terminator in there. Utterly relentless. However, along with his great power and tenacity, he also displays nuanced ring generalship.
This might just come down to who can improve the most in the four months since their first dance. The first fight was back and forth, but having watched it again recently there was a notable tide shift around rounds six and seven where Beterbiev began getting to Bivol and went through the gears.
We also know that Beterbiev’s prep was hampered by a knee injury going into that one. On that issue he said this week "The knee was a problem in the first fight, but it is near perfect now. My movement should be much better for this fight. My performance in the first fight was not perfect, I know I can do much better in this one."
So even though he is now 40-years-old, the pick is Beterbiev to get the job done once again – probably on points - and prove beyond reasonable doubt to be the best light-heavy of his era.
Bakole to bring it, but will it be enough?
Daniel Dubois' heavyweight world-title defence against Joseph Parker is now off after the IBF champion fell ill two days before the fight.
New Zealand's Parker will instead fight Congolese banger Martin Bakole, who has been drafted in as a last minute replacement.
The whole world was obviously looking forward to Dubois v Parker, but as replacement fights go at less than 72 hours notice this is absolute cinema.
Bakole is a real character and a prominent member of the ‘Who Needs Him Club’. In terms of the betting, not long after the fight was announced Parker opened up as a 1/2 favourite, with Bakole at 13/8.
If both men had enjoyed a full camp for this Bakole would have been favourite, but given his next fight was meant to be in May nobody really knows what shape he is in so the weigh-in should tell us more.
The good news is Bakole 21-1 (16) will bring it. He’s been out of the ring since stopping Jared Anderson in August 2024, and at least has experience of fighting in Saudi having stopped Carlos Takam in four rounds in the Kingdom in October 2023.
Bakole is a problem. He’s very hard to read, has freakish power and loves to throw damaging uppercuts while walking his opponent down. He’s got nothing to lose here and while Parker had been preparing for another puncher in Dubois, where’s his head actually at now the script has been flipped?
Parker is going to have a very tough night, certainly in the first four to six rounds, but given the imponderables relating to Bakole’s current fitness this might be one to sit out from a betting perspective.
Kabayel to step up and do the business
The betting line for Agit Kabayel versus Zhilei Zhang has been remarkable. Zhang opened up as a warm favourite, but the money must have been piling in on Kabayel with the German now 8/15 favourite and Zhang out to 13/10.
The betting uncertainty surrounding Zhang 27-2-1 (22 KOs) might be largely down to a perceived tendency to fade and run out of ideas in the second half of contests.
It's happened now against the unheralded Jerry Forrest in 2021, Filip Hrgovic the following year and again in February 2024 when Parker finished strongly against the Chinese southpaw to pip him on the cards. Big Bang showed in getting rid of Deontay Wilder last time out that he still carries power, but this looks another stiff test.
Kabayel has enjoyed some fantastic wins and is a very underrated operator who bangs hard to the body. Parker consistently beat Zhang to the punch with his superior speed and mobility and Kabayel is fancied to do a similar job.
He is around the 2/1 mark to win inside the distance and if he can avoid Zhang’s inevitable early onslaught that looks well worth a play.
Sit back and enjoy
Vergil Ortiz Jnr against Israil Madrimov could be a show-stealer. I love watching Madrimov fight. He is such a special fighter. Vergil is an absolute warrior, so this looks like a pick ‘em contest, and also looks like a distance fight if you are thinking about a bet.
Joshua Buatsi against Callum Smith is a fascinating all-British affair on the bill. At the age of 34 it looks like now or never for Liverpool’s Smith, who has reigned as a world champion at super-middleweight.
The pressure is all on Buatsi here, who puts his unbeaten record on the line and is hoping to make it 20 wins as a professional. The Londoner is naturally bigger physically but not the most elusive and Smith has the power and punch variety to make this a tough night.
Buatsi - with his higher work rate and faster hands - on point looks the shout, but at 5/4 it’s not a hugely confident pick.
Sheeraz to shine as a new champion
Hamzah Sheeraz will need absolute focus ahead of his WBC middleweight title fight against Carlos Adames on Saturday. The challenger arrives in Riyadh with a 21-0 (17 KOs) record and a big reputation as one of the sport’s brightest prospects.
More than a few good judges have likened the tall and physically imposing Sheeraz to Tommy Hearns, but Adames - who has won 24 of his 25 fights (18 inside the distance) - is no joke.
WBC boss Adames is well rounded, but Sheeraz does possess that X Factor and taking plus money on him to win this inside the distance looks well worth a roll of the dice.
Odds correct as of February 21, 2:25pm. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s.
If you are concerned about your gambling, call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133. Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
Watch the full Last Crescendo card live on DAZN PPV
Watch the full Last Crescendo fight card, including Dubois vs Parker and Beterbiev vs Bivol, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
The PPV is available to buy now at £19.99 in UK and $25.99 in US.
Buying the DAZN PPV offers a range of extra benefits. including alternative commentary options with Adam Smith or True Geordie or Showbizz the Adult ; local language commentary; entry to a prize draw for tickets to Chris Eubank Jr. vs Connor Benn* (for UK only); and a seven-day free trial of the full DAZN platform.
Watch the fight night anywhere with DAZN via smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and PC's / laptops.
For PPV costs in your country and to buy now, click here .
*UK only. Restrictions apply. See T&Cs on help.dazn.com. Full T&C's here
