Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol LIVE: Start time and round-by-round updates as the two champions headline stacked card for the undisputed light-heavyweight world title

 

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ROUND 3: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron

Cameron is once again lively from the opening round but gets stung with a stiff right hand on the counter from Whittaker.

Whittaker’s defence is holding up so far but we’re yet to see the showmanship that has made him so popular.

I think he realises Cameron is providing a much sterner test than many predicted pre-fight.

Mail Sport scorecard: Whittaker 9 (29)-(28) 10 Cameron

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 12: Liam Cameron punches Ben Whittaker during the Light Heavyweight fight between Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron as part of the Riyadh Season - IV Crown Showdown card at Kingdom Arena on October 12, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

ROUND 2: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron

The way Whittaker pivots away is really something to behold…

Head shots are proving difficult for the Sheffiled fighter but Cameron is wisely targeting the body as he looks to score some points of his own.

Whittaker lands a swift three-punch combination and stops to admire his work which is met by a decent reply from Cameron.

Better round from the underdog but Whittaker edges it with his activity.

Mail Sport scorecard: Whittaker 10 (20)-(18) 9 Cameron

ROUND 1: Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron

The first of our ten rounds are underway and Whittaker immediately assumes position in the centre of the ring and begins probing with his jab.

Whittaker clearly possesses a speed advantage here but Cameron is no slouch and remains compact.

He will need to be able to keep his guard tight as Whittaker continues with quick straight punches.

Mail Sport scorecard: Whittaker 10-9 Cameron

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 12: Ben Whittaker walks out ahead of the Light Heavyweight fight between Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron as part of the Riyadh Season - IV Crown Showdown card at Kingdom Arena on October 12, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Ben Whittaker returns to the ring next…

Speaking about prospects…

Though his actions inside the ring have proved divisive at times, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who says Ben Whittaker is not a must-watch fighter.

For the uninitiated, Whittaker’s unorthodox style is almost disdainful towards his opponents in manner reminiscent of the famous Prince Naseem Hamed.

Tonight, the Olympic silver medallist faces arguably the toughest test of his pro career as he prepares to take on former Commonwealth champion Liam Cameron.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 11: Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron Weigh In ahead of their Light Heavyweight  Contest tomorrow night part of the Riyadh Season - IV Crown Showdown at on October 12, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images)

RESULT: Mohammed Alakel DEFEATS Jesus Gonzalez

There’s a second debutant win in our second bout of the night as Mohammed Alakel earns a unanimous victory over Jesus Gonzalez on the judges’ scorecards 40-36.

The Saudi prospect has been honing his skills under the tutelage of esteem tainer Joe Gallagher and earned a raccous reception from the crowd as he entered the Kingdom Arena.

His hard work appears to have paid off as he appeared entirely unphased by the occassion and consistenly outworked his Colombian opponent over four rounds.

There’s clearly still a long way to go for Alakel but if this showing is any indication, he has a bright future ahead of him.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 12: Mohammed Alakel punches Jesus Gonzalez during the Lightweight fight between Mohammed Alakel and Jesus Gonzalez as part of the Riyadh Season - IV Crown Showdown card at Kingdom Arena on October 12, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

RESULT: Marco Maric DEFEATS Christian Lopez Flores

The action tonight is already underway and our first fight saw Marco Maric defeat Christian Lopez Flores by decision.

All three judges gave the Swiss fighter the nod 40-36.

To say it is his first fight as a professional, Maric looked comfortable on the big stage, cutting the ring well and forcing his opponent on to the ropes.

He may have been outgunned but Lopez Flores was a live opponent throughout, and showed why he has proven difficult to finish despite suffering 46 losses in his career.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 12: Marco Maric punches Christian Lopez Flores during the Super Welterweight fight between Marco Maric and Christian Lopez Flores as part of the Riyadh Season - IV Crown Showdown card at Kingdom Arena on October 12, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

WATCH: Beterbiev vs Bivol official trailer

If there’s thing you can say about the extra-cirriculars involved in these Riyadh season events, no expense is spared when it comes to the promotional side.

Ever wanted to watch two of the world’s most dangerous fighters leading armies into a medieval battle?

Both fighters in tonight’s main event made the 175lb light heavyweight limit on Friday, but Beterbiev had to employ some pretty extreme measures to do so.

The 39-year-old embarked on a three-day liquids-only fast prior to stepping on the scales and told Mail Sport’s JEFF POWELL MBE that he will harness his hunger inside the ring.

Click below to read the full interview:

Good evening!

Welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of tonight’s light heavyweight showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

For the second time this year the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will play host to an undisputed clash between the consensus two best fighters on the planet in their weight class.

Much like Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk earlier this year, neither Beterbiev nor Bivol have ever tasted defeat in their professional careers and fans will have the chance to bare witness to one of the most stylistically fascinating contests in recent memory.

In what has become something of a theme with these Saudi events, we also have a stacked undercard to look forward to, including a British heavyweight title rematch between Frazer Clarke and Fabio Wardley.

We’ll have also the latest updates and reaction right here so stick around and get yourself comfy as we prepare for one of the biggest fights of the decade.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - OCTOBER 11:  Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev weigh in ahead of their IBF, WBC, WBA and WBO Undisputed Light Heavyweight Fight tomorrow night as part of the Riyadh Season - IV Crown Showdown on October 12, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images).

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