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February 23, 2025

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Shakur Stevenson retained his title against late-replacement opponent Josh Padley at The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 22. The native of Newark, NJ claimed the win by TKO, sending the British challenger to the canvas three times along the way.

Stevenson seemed in control throughout the fight, picking Padley apart. To his credit, Padley fought back, trying to land punches of his own. The 27-year-old, based in Houston, TX, floored his opponent for the final time with a right hand to the body, forcing Padley’s corner to throw in the towel in the last seconds of the ninth round.

With the victory, Shakur Stevenson made the second successful defense of his WBC lightweight title. The three-division world champion improved to 23-0, 11 KOs, and remained undefeated.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley full card results as WBC lightweight champ  stops brave British challenger | Sporting News

For Stevenson, the late change in opponent posed a potential risk—preparing for one fighter and facing another always introduces the challenge of adaptation. However, Stevenson’s adaptability and ring IQ quickly became evident as he adjusted seamlessly to the new threat in front of him.

The Fight:

From the opening bell, Shakur Stevenson took control of the fight. Using his speed, precision, and footwork, Stevenson immediately established dominance, dictating the pace and keeping Padley at a distance. Padley tried to engage, but he found himself consistently outclassed by Stevenson’s sharp combinations and movement.

In the second round, Stevenson’s power came into full display as he dropped Padley for the first time with a crisp, straight left hand that sent Padley crashing to the canvas. Padley managed to get back to his feet, but Stevenson sensed blood and continued to press forward.

Shakur Stevenson Results: Star Faces Wild Criticism After KO Win

The Knockdowns:

The second knockdown came in the following round, when Stevenson landed a lightning-quick combination that once again floored Padley. The challenger, clearly dazed, struggled to keep up with Stevenson’s speed and accuracy. Stevenson’s punches were landing with devastating precision, and Padley’s efforts to survive seemed increasingly futile.

The final knockdown came in the fourth round. Stevenson’s relentless pressure overwhelmed Padley, who couldn’t withstand the barrage of punches any longer. Another clean shot sent Padley down for the third and final time, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight. The TKO victory was declared, and Stevenson retained his title in commanding fashion.

Stevenson’s Dominance:

The fight was a display of Shakur Stevenson’s undeniable talent and ability to adapt, even with a last-minute opponent change. His quickness, power, and ring generalship left no doubt that he remains one of the most skilled fighters in the division. Stevenson’s ability to methodically break down his opponents with both technical brilliance and power continues to impress fans and analysts alike.

What’s Next for Shakur Stevenson?

With this successful title defense, Shakur Stevenson remains undefeated and continues his march towards greatness. Fans are eager to see what’s next for the champion, with potential matchups against other top contenders or even unifications on the horizon. After dispatching Padley with such ease, Stevenson’s focus will likely turn back to Floyd Schofield, or other names in the division that could offer a tougher challenge.

Shakur Stevenson dominates Jamel Herring, claims WBO junior lightweight  belt - The Athletic

Josh Padley’s Future:

For Josh Padley, stepping in on short notice against a fighter of Stevenson’s caliber was always going to be an uphill battle. Despite the loss, Padley’s bravery and willingness to fight at the highest level have earned him respect. Moving forward, Padley will have the opportunity to regroup, take on more fights, and build back from this experience.

The Legacy of the Fight:

Shakur Stevenson’s performance reaffirmed his place as one of boxing’s brightest stars. The way he handled the late-replacement opponent with such precision and power will only add to his growing legacy. As the boxing world waits for his next move, Stevenson’s ability to adapt, dominate, and finish his opponents continues to make him one of the most dangerous fighters in his division.

For fans, this fight was another example of why Stevenson is must-watch TV—a perfect combination of speed, skill, and finishing power. Whether it’s a last-minute opponent or a top contender, Stevenson continues to rise to the occasion and show why he is the champion.

In an electrifying light heavyweight title bout, Dmitry Bivol dethroned the previously undefeated Artur Beterbiev in a thrilling revenge victory, shaking up the division and cementing his legacy as one of the finest boxers in the sport. After a hard-fought battle, Bivol emerged victorious, showing skill, resilience, and tactical mastery to claim the title and take revenge for his earlier defeat.

The Stakes:

Going into the fight, Artur Beterbiev held the light heavyweight belts and was feared for his brutal knockout power and undefeated record. Known as a relentless pressure fighter with an astonishing knockout streak, Beterbiev was the heavy favorite, having already beaten Bivol once before. However, Bivol was determined to avenge that loss and reclaim his status among the elite of the division.

For Dmitry Bivol, this fight was about more than just titles—it was about redemption. Having worked tirelessly since his loss to Beterbiev, Bivol refined his technique, sharpened his defense, and developed a plan to conquer the seemingly unstoppable champion.

The Fight:

From the opening bell, it was clear that Bivol had a different approach this time around. He moved with precision, controlling the distance and refusing to let Beterbiev close the gap and unleash his trademark power punches. Bivol’s footwork and defense were on point, frustrating Beterbiev and preventing him from finding a rhythm.

As the rounds progressed, Bivol’s jab became a key weapon, allowing him to keep Beterbiev at bay while scoring points. Bivol’s strategy was focused on outboxing the champion, using angles and movement to evade the heavy shots that Beterbiev is known for. Whenever Beterbiev tried to mount an attack, Bivol countered with crisp combinations, making it difficult for the champion to gain any real momentum.

Thrilling Moments:

The fight wasn’t without its tense moments. In the middle rounds, Beterbiev managed to land some heavy punches that tested Bivol’s chin and resolve. The crowd held its breath as Bivol absorbed the punishment, but he remained composed, showing incredible resilience. His ability to recover and continue sticking to his game plan was a testament to his mental toughness.

Dmitry Bivol exacts revenge over Artur Beterbiev with hard-fought majority  decision win in rematch - MMA Fighting

In the later rounds, Bivol began to take control of the fight completely. His superior conditioning allowed him to maintain a high pace, while Beterbiev started to slow down. Bivol’s tactical mastery shone through as he landed more clean shots, frustrating Beterbiev and keeping him off balance.

The Dethroning:

As the fight reached the final rounds, it became clear that Bivol was ahead on the scorecards. He had successfully neutralized Beterbiev’s power and controlled the fight with his precision and strategy. When the final bell rang, the arena erupted in applause for both fighters, who had delivered a thrilling, high-level contest.

The judges’ scorecards confirmed what many had seen unfold in the ring—Dmitry Bivol had won by unanimous decision, dethroning Artur Beterbiev and taking the light heavyweight belts. Bivol’s revenge was complete, and he had achieved one of the most significant victories of his career.

What’s Next for Both Fighters?

For Dmitry Bivol, this victory solidifies his place as the undisputed light heavyweight champion and a pound-for-pound contender. His tactical brilliance and ability to defeat a knockout artist like Beterbiev showed that he can compete with the best in the world. With this win, Bivol will likely have his pick of future opponents, potentially unifying even more titles or moving up to face other elite fighters in different divisions.

As for Artur Beterbiev, this loss marks the first blemish on his previously perfect record. Known for his devastating power, Beterbiev will undoubtedly look to bounce back and reclaim his throne. A rematch with Bivol could be on the horizon, or Beterbiev might take time to regroup before launching another title challenge.

Dmitry Bivol takes undisputed crown with thrilling revenge win over Artur  Beterbiev

The Legacy of the Fight:

This fight will be remembered as a masterclass in boxing strategy and determination. Bivol’s ability to overcome his previous loss and execute a brilliant game plan against one of the most feared punchers in the sport is a testament to his skill and discipline. The thrilling nature of the fight, combined with the high stakes, has ensured that it will go down as one of the most significant light heavyweight bouts in recent history.

Dmitry Bivol is now the man to beat, and his victory over Artur Beterbiev has changed the landscape of the division. With new challengers lining up, the boxing world eagerly awaits what’s next for both of these warriors.

Dmitry Bivol defeated Artur Beterbiev to become the new undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world; Beterbiev, previously unbeaten, had handed Bivol his first loss when they boxed in October, but Bivol got his revenge and took the unified championships at the ANB Arena in Riyadh

Dmitry Bivol took a revenge win to defeat Artur Beterbiev and become the new undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world.

The great rivals engaged each other in a second world championship clash of the highest quality.

Dmitry Bivol takes brilliant revenge win over Artur Beterbiev in undisputed world  championship fight | Boxing News | Sky Sports

Bivol finished with a majority decision win, 114-114 on one card, but 115-113 and 116-112 in his favour on the other two, unifying the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF 175lb titles, all four of the major belts.

  • He had lost for the first time in his career when he boxed Beterbiev in October. Then he had become the first professional fighter to take Beterbiev the distance. Beterbiev had beaten him on a close, majority decision in that first contest, a result which had divided opinion.

It left them both fighting to decide ultimate supremacy at 175lbs once again.

But Beterbiev charged on. A thudding right hook hit Bivol hard and the two opened up with both hands. Beterbiev wanted him to trade and he hammered shots into him to start the fourth round too.

Rather than Bivol’s movement choosing where the fight was fought, Beterbiev was backing him up. Slashing counters from Bivol couldn’t put off the champion and he had to duck a big Beterbiev right hook.

Dmitry Bivol takes brilliant revenge win over Artur Beterbiev in undisputed world  championship fight | Boxing News | Sky Sports

Beterbiev chased him down in the fifth round. He went down to the body with hard, hurtful punches landing round the midriff. Then he directed the assault to the head as Bivol pedalled back.

But a stinging salvo of punching from Bivol broke through Beterbiev’s guard. He saw Beterbiev out of position and his cross snapped in, just as Beterbiev jabbed him back.

He had to be wary of a sudden Bivol left, but Beterbiev hunted for further openings.

Bivol however steadied himself in the seventh round. He landed his right early in the eighth round as well. Heartened, he pressed the champion with further combinations. He smacked Beterbiev with a flush cross and then slammed his right hook into him too.

Beterbiev looked to smack his cross through Bivol’s punches and the challenger moved away once more. Bivol though pocketed a brace of quick shots to the body and then caught Beterbiev once again stepping in.

Joseph Parker knocked out last-minute stand-in Martin Bakole in the second round on Saturday night after a heroic effort.

All the odds were stacked against the brave Congolese heavyweight, who stepped in on two days’ notice to fight Parker when Daniel Dubois pulled out of their IBF heavyweight title fight with a viral infection.

How do I fight for world title?': Joseph Parker eyes bigger things after Martin Bakole KO | The Post

Organisers scrambled for a replacement with Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye and Mourad Aliev all contacted to take Dubois’ place.

Joseph Parker makes light work of Martin Bakole with second-round stoppage

But Bakole got the call after his trainer and manager Billy Nelson campaigned tirelessly for the fight on social media.

The 33-year-old was in Congo when he got the green light from boxing mogul Turki Alalshikh and jumped on a 3,800-mile flight on the same day to Saudi Arabia.

Bakole’s journey was so long it required three connecting flights.

 

He first flew from Congo to Ethiopia, then to Dubai, before finally landing in the Middle East in the early hours of Saturday morning.

It was always going to be a big ask for Bakole to pull it off but his fans were left dreaming of a sensational upset.

Joseph Parker brutally knocks out Martin Bakole in second round after brave rival took fight on just two days' notice | The Irish Sun

Those dreams were subsequently shattered by a dynamite right hand that caught Bakole on the top of the head in the second round and sent him tumbling to the canvas.

To his credit, Bakole made his way back to his feet, although he was caught on unsteady legs, prompting his trainer Nelson to make the compassionate call to throw in the towel.