Showing posts with label Riyadh Season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Riyadh Season. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Barboza-Catterall Thoughts

On February 15th a world title elimination bout took place in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division to determine a number one contender in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Jr. Welterweight world championship currently held by Teofimo Lopez. The bout, which took place in Manchester, England, pitted Arnold Barboza and Jack Catterall the WBO’s number one and two contenders respectively.


What was refreshing about this particular encounter beyond it being one between the legitimate top two contenders meeting to determine who will be next to challenge for a world title, but it was simply a bout between two of the top fighters in the Jr. Welterweight division, which did not see any grandstanding or pre-fight hype tactics that all too often crosses the line from simply trying to draw interest in a fight to legitimately personal attacks. This was simply two of the best fighters meeting to test their skills against each other.


What resulted was a tactical battle where both fighters seemed to struggle to establish the ebb and flow for several rounds. Perhaps this was due to a healthy respect between the two fighters and each fighter’s skillset in that neither was eager to take the initiative in being clearly aggressive. This presented a scenario where the two fighters, though willing to engage, did so with some distance between the two of them, likely trying to bait the other into making a mistake where the opposing fighter would have the opportunity to counter punch. 


While not the most exciting contest if one is looking for an all-action type of fight, seeing two world-class boxers demonstrating their skill level and trading rounds where each seemed to have their moments throughout was interesting to watch for those who enjoy Boxing in its purest, technical form. Although entertaining for those of us who appreciate tacticians plying their trade, it was no surprise at the conclusion of twelve rounds to see a split decision rendered with Barboza gett the nod of two of three official judges by a margin of seven rounds to five or 115-113 in points, while the third judge had the same score, but for Catterall.


Simply put, this was two world-class boxers putting forth their best. Although there was not much in the way of highlights, no controversial calls that would require more analysis from this observer, it was still two of the best Jr. Welterweights in the world showing why they are regarded as two of the best. For Barbosa, he has now earned his shot at Teofimo Lopez’ world championship, which according to the WBO, must take place within 180 days.


While this performance for Barboza was not the highlight reel type that one would expect in order to drum up interest in a potential world title challenge, he simply did what he had to do against a highly skilled opponent in Jack Catterall in a fight that could have gone either way. Sometimes two fighters' respective styles will not mesh in such a way that it will produce a knock down, drag out, Fight of the Year candidate. Given how close this fight was, however, it would not surprise me if Barboza and Catterall were to meet again down the line. This may also happen if Lopez, who recently signed a three-fight agreement with Riyadh Season, the Saudi Arabian entertainment group who has staged several major Boxing events both in Saudi Arabia as well as around the world, along with Lopez’ longtime promoter Bob Arum, chooses to go in a different direction and potentially vacate his title, which would make Barboza per winning this elimination bout, the new world champion per his now being the number one mandatory challenger. Were such a scenario to play itself out, it would make all the sense in the world for Barboza to face Catterall again. If that indeed happens, the question will be whether chapter two between Barboza and Catterall would be different in terms of how the fight is fought or if stylistically, it will always be a closely fought contest where it is not easy to determine a winner.


“And That's The Boxing Truth." 



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Thursday, January 30, 2025

DAZN TO BROADCAST HISTORIC “THE LAST CRESCENDO” BOXING EVENT LIVE WORLDWIDE

Press Release: January 30, 2025 By DAZN- 



Light Heavyweight Rematch Between

Beterbiev and Bivol Headlines an Unmissable Night on Saturday, 22 February 2025 



 



LONDON – January 29, 2025 – DAZN, the global home of boxing, can announce that

 it will broadcast The Last Crescendo, 

the fight card of the century, live on Saturday, 22 February 2025 worldwide. The PPV is available for purchase now

 from DAZN.com/boxing

 


 


This monumental event, part of Riyadh Season, will take place at the ANB Arena in Saudi Arabia and features a stellar line-up of championship bouts, headlined by the highly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight World Championship. 



 


Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs), the reigning champion and one of boxing’s most impressive fights, is set to defend his perfect record in a rematch against Bivol (21-1, 11 KOs), who is determined to avenge his 2024 loss in what was one of the greatest bouts of the modern era. This headline fight promises to be another unforgettable chapter in boxing history. 



 



Also on the card, IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois will defend his title against former WBO champion Joseph Parker, in what many expect to be an equally exciting clash. Dubois,

 who shocked the boxing world with a stunning knockout victory over Anthony Joshua last September, looks to continue his meteoric rise. Meanwhile, Parker aims to reclaim championship glory. 



 



The night will feature an exciting slate of

additional bouts, including: 



 



·        

A WBC middleweight title showdown between

Carlos Adames and Hamzah Sheeraz, with

Sheeraz coming off a standout 2024. 



·        

Zhilei Zhang

 facing Agit Kabayel for the WBC interim heavyweight title after Zhang’s emphatic knockout of Deontay Wilder last year. 



·        

A super welterweight interim title clash between

Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Israil

Madrimov. 



·        

Shakur Stevenson defending his lightweight title against

Floyd Schofield. 



·        

British stars

Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith battling for the interim WBO light heavyweight title. 



 



The card also highlights local talent with Saudi fighters Ziyad

Almaayouf and Mohammed Alaqel, whose opponents will be announced soon. 



 



“This is a night that truly encapsulates the spirit of boxing – the best fighting the best on a global stage,” said Pete Oliver, CEO of Growth Markets at DAZN. “We are proud to bring

 this extraordinary event to fight fans worldwide, as Riyadh once again proves itself as the premier destination for world-class sports and entertainment. From the blockbuster

Beterbiev-Bivol rematch to Dubois defending his crown,

The Last Crescendo promises to be a spectacle unlike any other. Fans will be able to watch every moment of the action on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing”. 


Material Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.


For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, to subscribe and order this pay-per-view event and for specific pricing in your region of the world please visit: www.DAZN.com


The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.



























Monday, December 2, 2024

DAZN TO BROADCAST RIYADH SEASON’S USYK VS FURY 2 : REIGNITED WORLDWIDE

Press Release: December 2, 2024 By DAZN - LONDON – December 2, 2024 – DAZN, the leading destination for boxing fans around the globe, will broadcast the highly-anticipated heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on Saturday, 21 December, 2024, live on DAZN PPV, from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event will serve as the grand finale to DAZN’s extraordinary 2024 boxing lineup, which has delivered a weekly schedule of premium fights featuring the sport’s brightest stars.

Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs), the reigning WBA, WBC, and WBO Heavyweight World Champion, is set to defend his titles after his historic victory over Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) earlier this year in Riyadh. The closely contested bout marked Fury’s first professional loss and crowned Usyk the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Fury now seeks redemption, while Usyk looks to solidify his place among boxing’s all-time greats. Highlights from their first legendary encounter can be found on DAZN Boxing’s YouTube Channel. 

DAZN continues to raise the bar in boxing coverage, offering fans unmatched access to elite matchups and rising stars. The Usyk vs. Fury rematch underscores DAZN’s mission to provide fans with the best boxing content year-round. “This fight is the perfect conclusion to an incredible year for DAZN and boxing fans everywhere,” said Alfie Sharman, Vice President DAZN. “Usyk vs. Fury 2 exemplifies the level of world-class events we are committed to delivering regularly, bringing fans the biggest names as well as the most competitive and exciting matchups the sport has to offer.”

The blockbuster main event will be complemented by a stellar undercard featuring elite talent across multiple divisions, including heavyweight clashes between top teenage prospect Moses Itauma (22-0, 10 KOs) and the Australian Demsey McKean (22-1, 14 KOs), and undefeated Johnny Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) against former Commonwealth title challenger Dave Allen (23-6, 18 KOs). Fans can also look forward to former WBA 154-pound Champion Israil Madrimov (10-1, 7 KOs) taking on former WBC 154-pound interim titleholder Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs), Dennis McCann (16-0-1, 8 KOs) defending his European Super Bantamweight title against Peter McGrail (10-1, 6 KOs), and Scotland’s Isaac Lowe (25-2-3, 8 KOs) facing former IBO Super Bantamweight title challenger Lee McGregor (14-1-1, 11 KOs) in a featherweight bout. 



The blockbuster card will be available worldwide on DAZN. Fans purchasing the event on DAZN Pay-Per-View before Saturday, 4 December will automatically enter a sweepstake for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid VIP trip to Riyadh, including ringside seats. Information on how to enter can be found HERE.



DAZN subscribers can access the fight via the DAZN app on any device, from smart TVs to smartphones and tablets, with no additional contracts or hidden fees.


For more information and to purchase the fight, please visit www.dazn.com


Material and Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.


For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and for information on how to order this pay-per-view event please visit: www.DAZN.com



The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.