Round 5

Beterbiev’s pressure and body work is starting to yield dividends. He’s walking down Bivol, who is burning a lot of energy trying to target the head and body with jabs while keeping out of the way of the champion’s overhand rights. This is another clear Beterbiev round. Then in the final 30 seconds Beterviev lands a right hand through Bivol’s guard that might have hurt Bivol. Bivol is staggered momentarily but regains his footing and makes it to the bell.

Guardian’s unofficial score: Beterbiev 10-9 Bivol (Beterbiev 47-48 Bivol)

Round 4

Beterbiev is relentless in attack. He’s not stopped moving forward from the opening bell and the pressure is constant. He’s beginning to find Bivol’s midsection with right hands. Bivol is fighting well off the back foot, peppering away with the jab to the head and body, but appears to be slowing down from the first round and a touch flat-footed. Beterbiev hasn’t landed anything that’s hurt Bivol yet, but the pressure in that fourth round was so heightened as to neutralize the challenger’s offense almost completely.

Guardian’s unofficial score: Beterbiev 10-9 Bivol (Beterbiev 37-39 Bivol)

Round 3

Beterbiev picks up the pace from the bell, perhaps encouraged by his corner. He’s targeting Bivol’s body and landing the odd shot. Another three-punch combo from Bivol, who looks very locked in and confident. He’s moving all over the place, changing direction, refusing to offer a stationary target while Beterbiev stalks away. Bivol narrowly ducks under a lunging right hook. Bivol lands a couple of shots right through Beterbiev’s guard. Then in the closing seconds Beterbiev moves Bivol backwards with a couple of crunching blows, only for Bivol to clip the champion with a right hook just before the bell. This is high-tempo stuff between two top operators. Will Bivol be able to sustain this pace?

Guardian’s unofficial score: Beterbiev 9-10 Bivol (Beterbiev 27-30 Bivol)

Round 2

Bivol is doing fine work with that jab and it’s already paying off. Sticking and moving, sticking and moving. There’s already a little mouse under Beterbiev’s eye. Bivol turns southpaw, changes direction and lands a combination upstairs punctuated by a beautiful counter right hand that lands flush. He’s throwing and langing more while Beterbiev continues to try and cut off the ring. Beterbiev lands a thudding jab. Easier round to score for Bivol.

Guardian’s unofficial score: Beterbiev 9-10 Bivol (Beterbiev 18-20 Bivol)

Round 1

There’s the bell and the fighters meet each other at the center of the ring. Lots of pawing and feints from both men in the early stages. Bivol is trying to establish that ramrod jab, while Beterbiev looks to close the distance with measured bursts into the pocket. Bivol throws the first combination and lands a few shots but Beterbiev is unbothered. Beterbiev looks to cut off the ring and trap Bivol along the ropes, but the challenger does not accommodate. A cagey first round that could have gone either way, but Bivol’s combination punching nicks it for us.

Guardian’s unofficial score: Beterbiev 9-10 Bivol (Beterbiev 9-10 Bivol)

The fighters have been announced by ring announcer Michael Buffer. The final instructions have been given by the British referee Kevin Parker, the seconds are out and we’ll pick it up with round-by-round coverage from here!

The fighters are making their ringwalks for the main event. First it’s Dmitry Bivol, who canters down the runway wearing a silver robe with black trim to группа крови by the Russian rock band Kino. Now it’s Artur Beterbiev’s turn. The unbeaten champion is in an equal hurry to reach the squared circle, wearing a black T-shirt and matching shorts as Вперед Ахмат by Dagestani singer Rizavdi Ismailov plays.

Tale of the tape: Beterbiev v Bivol

“When I came back to the corner, [trainer Andy Lee] gave me the instructions just to be patient,” Parker says. “And when the overhead right comes, when he walks in and attacks, that’s when you have to take your shot. And that’s the best way, is to catch them when they’re coming in.”

He adds: “Martin Bakole, thank you very much for accepting the challenge and flying all the way here on short notice to give me a good fight. I just went out there and listened to Andy [Lee], stay calm, structured, composed, and got the victory.”

Parker doesn’t wait long before moving to his future plans.

“I just want to say like, who’s next?” he says. “How do I fight for the world title next? How can I fight for the world title? Listen, if Usyk wants a dance partner, I’ll get Uncle Frank to come in here and lock a fight with Usyk. But I want to fight for world title and I’d like to be champion of the world again too.”

Does he want Usyk immediately or would he settle for a fight with Daniel Dubois, who holds the IBF’s version of the title?

“I will fight anyone and everyone,” he says.

Parker beats Bakole by second-round KO

The stars are out tonight in Riyadh in the form of a smattering of boxing luminaries, who have been seated at ringside for most of the televised card.

Only one more undercard bout ahead of the main event. What was supposed to be a shot at the IBF heavyweight title for Joseph Parker has turned into a battle for mandatory challenger status, as Daniel Dubois withdrew from Saturday’s fight due to a medical issue. Instead, Parker will now square off against Martin Bakole, another late replacement who’s eager to seize this unexpected opportunity.

“The show goes on. It’s not even just in boxing, but in life,” Parker told Sky Sports. “Things happen, you just have to adjust and adapt to the situation.”

Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, had not confirmed his fighter’s status before Friday’s weigh-in but stated Thursday that Dubois was “being evaluated by a doctor”. This opened the door for Bakole, who posted a video from Kinshasa, Congo, saying, “I think I will shock the world tomorrow. A boxer is like a soldier – anytime they ask you to go to war, always be ready.”

Though there’s no world title on the line now, the stakes remain high. The WBO announced that the winner of tonight’s clash will become the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight championship.

Parker (35-3, 23 KOs), a former WBO champion, captured the belt in 2016 by defeating Andy Ruiz Jr but lost it to Anthony Joshua 15 months later. He’s eager for another chance at the top. “I’ll fight anyone and everyone,” Parker said. “Thanks to Martin for stepping in. He’s a tough fighter, and I look forward to the challenge.”

Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs), known for his size and power, last fought in August, stopping the hot American prospect Jared Anderson in the fifth round in Los Angeles. He weighed over 280lb for that fight and promises to bring the same intensity.

As we wait for the fighters to make their ringwalks, here’s our Donald McRae’s sitdown interview with Parker from this week.

Stevenson retains title with ninth-round TKO

Preamble

Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s Donald McRae’s lookahead to tonight’s co-feature bout.