Boxing Insider Promotions presented another fight card on Thursday evening. The event went down at the famous Sony Hall in the heart of midtown Manhattan. A junior welterweight affair scheduled for four opened the night as the 1-1 Jason Castanon battled the 0-2 Stephen Barbee. Both fighters moved to control the range in the first, though the considerably shorter Barbee pushed forward in the final minute of the round. Neither fighter was able to land particularly well in the second. The combatants were active though, each searching for an opening for a clear shot.

A sense of urgency pervaded the bout in the third. The fight was only scheduled for four, after all, which meant that time was a friend to neither man. With that being said, Barbee came across as the more active fighter in the round. The fourth and final chapter saw each man fight strategically – Barbee moved in while Castanon was able to fire his jab effectively. After the final bell had sounded, the judge’s ruled in favor of Castanon via majority decision.

Next up, the undefeated Koby Khalil Williams, 4-0, squared off against the 5-0 Nicholas Isaac in a scheduled six rounder in the lightweight division. Isaac had a very sharp first round for himself, maintaining range and tossing off a quick jab as well as body shots. The second saw Isaac edging it thanks to his longer reach and ability to control the distance. The action slowed a bit in the third, but Williams was able to land his own jab. In what must have been a frustrating fourth for Williams, who tried to find a way to get in on Isaac, with little success. With that in mind, Isaac himself wasn’t throwing consistently.

The fifth round had some decent action, with each man turning up the volume on the other. The sixth round appeared to be William’s final opportunity to effectively break through Isaac’s defense and make something happen. He went down, though it wasn’t considered a knockdown, and went on to have a decent round for himself. Was it enough to best Issac, though? It wasn’t. Isaac walked out of the ring with another win on his record, thanks to a UD ruling by the judges.

It was time for the main event. The 16-0 welterweight Avious Griffin faced the 14-4-1 Jose Luis Sanchez in a scheduled ten rounder. Trained by the legendary “Bomac” McIntyre, Griffin entered the ring the receiver of much good will and high expectations. Sanchez, however, was no doubt eager to upset the figurative applecart. Up for grabs was the WBC USA welterweight title.

Griffin started working the body right at the start of the fight. By the midpoint of the round, Sanchez went down courtesy of a beautiful Griffin combination. To his credit, the New Mexico native got to his feet and engaged with Griffin. A pitch perfect overhand right put Sanchez down in the second. Once again, Sanchez beat the count and bravely kept fighting. One had to wonder, though, how many more solid shots the man could take. Sanchez was down again at the end of the round. Once more, he beat the count.

Sanchez was able to land a few decent shots in the third, but Griffin was too strong, too accurate, and too focused for the gutsy competitor. Although Sanchez had a much better fourth, Griffin simply seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to knock his man out. Sanchez fought hard in the fifth, and had some success, as well. Griffin’s power shots, however, were almost hard to see land. The truth is that Sanchez had quite a good sixth for himself.

By the end of the seventh it was clear that Sanchez was about as tough as a fighter could possibly be. He could be knocked down and take power shot after power shot, but he would find a way to survive and keep pushing forward. Or so it seemed. Things finally came to an end in the eighth. Sanchez didn’t go down, nor did he stop fighting, but the referee wisely decided enough was enough. Sanchez was arguably just too tough for his own good.

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The first fight was long awaited. After much anticipation, fans were finally able to find out who was truly the king of the light heavyweight division – hard hitting Artur Beterbiev or chess master Dmitry Bivol. The winner would not only remain undefeated, he would exit the ring as the undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world. So evenly matched were the two men that it was difficult to predict a winner beforehand. Suffice to say, the bout itself did not disappoint. The first four rounds were witness to Bivol’s amazing skill set, as Beterbiev stalked his man in seeming futility. Then the fight switched gears.

Although he was able to maintain his high IQ style of fighting, Bivol started to get hit with Beterbiev’s hardware. The fight remained close and intense. There was even a point where Beterbiev was able to briefly back his man up. It was, to be sure, a very close fight. Afterward, the majority decision in favor of Beterbiev meant that Bivol had come up short – at least technically. Not everyone was impressed with the judge’s ruling. “Defense loses you fights,” former world titlist and broadcaster Chris Algieri said afterward (via Boxing Insider), indicating judges simply prefer aggressive fighters to defensive ones. Whether the man had a point is up to the individual to decide. What can’t be argued is the decision of the judges screamed “rematch.”

And now that rematch will go down Saturday in Saudi Arabia. The main event of an incredibly stacked card, Beterbiev-Bivol 2 may or may not decide once and for all who the better of the two future Hall of Fame fighters is, but it promises to be an extremely interesting affair nonetheless. There’s a good chance the second match will closely resemble the first – with a few important differences. Beterbiev, for instance, started slow in the first bout. He may pick up the pace earlier this time around in order to grab some precious rounds.

Bivol, on the other hand, will almost certainly focus on not being hit as much the second time around. The man had a great start in the first fight. If he could simply hold off Beterbiev for another round or two this time, it truly could make all the difference. Figuratively speaking, this is going to be a battle of inches. Every second is going to count. So, who will win? Algieri may have had a point – defensive fighters, as a general rule, may not get the treatment aggressive fighters do. If that’s the case there’s nothing Bivol can do on Saturday…except make it extremely difficult to rule against him thanks to a near legendary performance. And he may do just that.

Predication: Bivol by split decision. Get ready for Beterbiev-Bivol 3.

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At 34 years of age, Callum Smith had something to prove on Saturday when he stepped into the ring in Saudi Arabia to face the undefeated 19-0 Joshua Batista. Although clearly respected in the fight game, the 30-2 former titlist was set on proving he was still at the higher end of the sport. In order to do that, however, he’d have to get past the impressive Buatsi. The match, scheduled for 12, was for Buatsi’s WBC Interim World Light Heavyweight title.

The first was a high octane affair. Neither man was eager to give an inch in the second as both fighters position themselves for power shots. Buatsi worked hard in the third, while Smith tossed off heavy leather. Indeed, Smith looked to be rattled by a body shot. The fighters continued to slug away at each other in the fourth. It was a very close affair. Buatsi was clearly hurt by a Smith body shot in the fifth. Buatsi looked like he was close to finished in the sixth…but he hurt Smith with a hard shot at the round’s end. Both fighters were a bit less energetic in the seventh – but who could blame them?

The pace wasn’t rapid in the eighth, but the combatants kept firing power shots at one another. They continued to fire away in the ninth. Buatsi hit well, but Smith looked to have a bit more power. With that being said, Smith appeared to be hurt by a body shot in the tenth. Buatsi may well have had his best round in the eleventh. Heading into the final round, the fight may well have been too close to call. The bout ended in thunderous fashion. Buatsi fought hard. Smith landed hard.

The judges ended up awarding the win to Smith by scores of 119-110, 115-113, and 116-112.

A fantastic fight.

*Images: DAZN

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The interim WBC heavyweight title was on the line Saturday in Saudi Arabia as the 27-2-1 Zhilei Zhang took on the undefeated 25-0 Agit Kabayel. The bout, which was part of the massive Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol rematch card, was scheduled for 12. Zhan tagged his man hard right off the bat in the first. Kabayel responded with a body shot combo. Kabayel began the second with a surprisingly aggressive attack. It worked well for him. Kabayel continued his attack in the third.

Zhang may well have been rattled in the fourth. Kabayel was clearly tiring his enormous competitor. Kabayel kept surging forward in the fifth – until Zhang put him on the mat. Kabayel got back to his feet within the count, but the point had been made. The sixth saw Zhang almost go down, but the referee puzzlingly broke up the action. Still, it was clear by this point that Zhang was in trouble, for he was now eating punches. And indeed, Zhang officially went down – and was counted out – before the round had ended.

He may have been overlooked before Saturday, but now there’s no doubt Agit Kabayel is a force of note in the heavyweight division.

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The WBC super middleweight interim title was at stake Saturday in Saudi Arabia as the undefeated 22-0 Virgil Ortiz Jr. defended his belt against the 10-1-1 Israil Madrimov, who was widely known as possibly the only fighter to give Terence Crawford a run for his money (even though Crawford ultimately emerged victorious). The bout on Saturday was scheduled for 12 championship rounds. The first round wasn’t explosive, but both men looked sharp as they maneuvered for an advantage. The second saw Madrimov successfully move about the ring in a herky-jerky style.

Ortiz continued to stalk his man in the third, and by the fourth was able to start landing on his man. He continued to be able to reach Madrimov in the fifth. By the sixth it was clear the bout was less barn burner than it was chess match – not that it was a bad thing. Both men were following their game plans and the fight up until that point was very close. And indeed, the match remained close in the seventh. In truth, however, it was Ortiz who was clearly pushing the action. Madrimov was a defensive fighter, true – but he wasn’t keeping Ortiz at bay anymore.

The eighth saw Madrimov keep moving effectively, but he needed to throw more. Ortiz then went on to work the body quite effectively in the ninth. Madrimov was starting t be dominated by his determined foe. Things became heated in the tenth, as Madrimov clearly had decided his plan wasn’t working. It was the most exciting chapter of the fight. An aggressive Madrimov performed well in the eleventh. Ortiz was fighting effectively, but it was clear he was now in a fight.

The last round saw a high octane performance from both men. Each fighter threw with bad intentions as the minutes, then the seconds, wound down. After the final bell rang, the judges ruled in favor of Ortiz by scores of 117-11, 115-113, 115-113. Ortiz was subsequently able to exit the ring with the WBC interim title still in his possession.

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WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames, 24-1, defended his title belt on Saturday against the 21-0 Hamzah Sheeraz in Saudi Arabia. The fight was scheduled for 12 championship rounds. The first was something of a feeling out process for each fighter, as both men were strategically patient. The taller Sheeraz was able to keep his man at bay in the second. Adames kept trying to get inside his man in the third. Sheeraz was still doing a good job maintaining range on his man in the fourth.

By the fifth it was worth wondering how long Sheeraz could consistently keep his distance from Adames, for the fight was scheduled for a full 12 rounds. Adames was finally able to get in on his man in the sixth. Was Sheeraz slowing down, or was he simply taking the round off? Adames kept up the pressure in the seventh. Adames caught his man in the eighth. Sheeraz landed well in kind. He then returned to moving about defensively.

Things remained close in the ninth. With the championship rounds coming up, it still could have been anybody’s fight. The tenth was interesting, as Sheeraz was again able to keep Adamas at range. Sheeraz fought in close in the eleventh. It may not have been a thrilling match, but it was definitely a high level one. These were professionals plying their trade and it was fascinating to see the fight unfold. The twelfth and final round saw a rather tempered performance from Sheeraz, which might not have worked to his benefit.

After all was said and done, the bout was ruled a split draw via the judges by scores of 115-114, 118-110, and 114-114.

* Correction: we had previously and mistakenly written that Adames had won via decision. That error has been corrected.

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WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson took on the widely unknown Josh Padley Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Stevenson was supposed to have fought Floyd Schofield before Schofield had to drop out of the bout due to an illness. The 15-0 Padley subsequently took the fight on beyond short notice. The question, of course, was whether or not Padley could possibly give the 22-0 Stevenson a real fight.

The southpaw Stevenson dominated the first with his superior skill set. Stevenson went on to land clean in the second. Although Padley certainly didn’t come across as amateurish, the defending champion was able to fire some stinging combinations in the third. Being defensive by nature, Shakur wasn’t one to charge forward. Still, by the fourth it seemed like Stevenson was working towards a stoppage win.

The fifth was a slow, quiet affair. Stevenson worked the body well at the end, however. He then fired at Padley’s head before the bell rang. Padley, to his credit, fired back with bad intentions. By the sixth, Stevenson looked as if he was working to end the fight. He wasn’t hurting his man, though, which may have disappointed some fans. Still, Stevenson was showing extraordinary skill.

Stevenson’s hand appeared to be hurt in the seventh. Although he looked sharp in the eighth, it seemed as if the condition of Stevenson’s hand would prevent an early ending to the fight. That didn’t prove to be the case.

In the ninth, when it looked like the fight would go the distance, Padley was dropped with a body shot. He got up, but a second body shot put him down again. Padley got up for the second time, but the fight was all but over. Indeed, Stevenson put his man down a third time before the round had ended. Padley’s corner, having seen enough, threw in the towel, giving Stevenson his early victory.

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The 35-3 Joseph Parker wasn’t only a former heavyweight champion. He was a man whose career was on the upswing after having gone through a rough patch. And on Saturday, Parker showed just how game he was when he got into the ring to face the towering, 300+ pound, undefeated, 21-1 Martin Bakole. Bakole was the kind of fighter other fighters avoided. After scheduled opponent Daniel Dubois had to step out of the fight, however, Parker let Bakole become Dubois’ replacement without hesitation.

Bakole likewise proved what a professional he was by accepting the biggest fight of his life without a training camp. It was hard, frankly, to dislike either man. Still, they had a scheduled 12 round match before them.

With that in mind, both fought cautiously in the first round – and with good reason. This was a major heavyweight event with a great deal on the line. Parker put his speed advantage to good use in the second. Bakole, however, was able to work the body. Yet a single shot from Parker put Bakole down and out before the round ended. After hitting the mat Bakole was able to get to his feet, but his corner wisely stopped the bout.

Images: DAZN

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And then there was one. After presenting an absolutely terrific card on Saturday, Saudi sports honcho Turki Al-Sheikh gave fans a main event between two future Hall of Famers who were playing back their first razor sharp twelve round affair the previous year. After winning their first throwdown back in October, Artur Beterbiev, the undefeated, undisputed 21-0 light heavyweight champion of the world, slipped in between the ropes on Saturday to take on his equal, and arch nemesis, the 23-1 Dmitry Bivol. The fight was scheduled for 12 championship rounds.

The first saw each fighter being tentative – and rightfully so. Bivol put his jab to good use while Beterbiev began applying pressure. Bivol went on to fire quick shots in the second. Beterbiev, ever patient, pushed forward behind a jab of his own. Beterbiev immediately turned up the pressure at the start of the third. Bivol, however, was throwing and landing. Beterbiev threw hard in the fourth, while Bivol’s output declined. Beterbiev continued to push the action and hit hard in the fifth. Indeed, by round’s end it looked like Bivol might be starting to break down.

The sixth saw Bivol coming alive at the end and fighting successfully, though Beterbiev may have hurt him seconds before the bell. Bivol simply didn’t look particularly sharp in the seventh. The pace was slowing, but Beterbiev was clearly the more active of the two fighters. Bivol was able to land clean and hard on Beterbiev in the eighth. He was also able to throw in combinations. Bivol continued to look rejuvenated in the ninth as he fired lightning fast combinations at Beterbiev.

Beterbiev attempted to be aggressive again in the tenth, but Bivol’s combinations, reminiscent of Ray Leonard’s, ended up telling the tale of the round. The eleventh was close, but Bivol looked so fluid when he had his dominant moments, that those moments might have come across as being more impressive than Beterbiev’s. The twelfth and final round was as impressive as the rest of the fight, though Beterbiev appeared to outfight his man in the final round.

It was all up to the judges…who ruled in favor of Bivol by scores of 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113.

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It was perhaps the most hoped for fight in boxing, a superstar event between two towering Brits for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Or at least it hasn’t happened yet. For Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua no longer occupy the zenith of the heavyweight mountain. Both men have now been defeated twice by divisional king Oleksandr Usyk. Neither man is likely to get a fight with Usyk again. In other words, a bout between Joshua and Fury will no longer answer the question of who the best heavyweight on earth is.

Still, there’s a lot to like about a match between these two supersized combatants. First of all, these men came close to fighting a few year’s back, and no one likes the unanswered question of who the better fighter is. What’s more, a Joshua- Fury battle would be an enormous deal in England. It’s easy to picture close to 100 thousand people stuffed into a place like Wembley Stadium to see the bout go down live. There would no doubt be plenty of interest outside the UK, as well, including among American boxing fans. Each man may be on the down side of his career, but it’s not like Joshua and Fury are mere shadows of their former selves.

Fury, as most fans know, is retired. He’s been retired before, though. What’s more, Joshua seems to want the fight. “I think Fury, commercially, is a great fight and it’s a great man’s fight,” the former world titlist told IFL TV. “I think it makes sense. You could say it’s been years in the making.” You very well could. Again, there’s a real sense of unfinished business when it comes to these two titans – along with Usyk and Deontay Wilder – of the post Klitschko era.

Of course neither man can wait too long if this fight is eventually going to happen. These aren’t kids. Indeed, both men are now in their mid thirties. Add that to the fact they’ve both been in some serious wars and it’s obvious that a time element is in play. Should Fury decide to come out of retirement for what would clearly be a massive paycheck, both he and Joshua could be given a final crack at glory. Each guy has lost his latest fight, so winning a final memorable battle – and Joshua and Fury have had plenty of memorable battles between them – means there’s a good chance for the winner to exit the sport on top. Unless, of course, there’s a rematch.

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