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The Buff
Still looking good, still sounding good - Michael Buffer introduces the musical acts.
We've got Ciara, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott performing soon after Turki Alalshikh delivers a quick speech and a fireworks display. I would take a screenshot but c'mon, you can imagine what fireworks look like.
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Predictions
Here's what Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren think about tonight's undisputed showdown.
Frank Warren: "Artur Beterbiev has the tools to do it, so Dmitry Bivol is going to have to step up a bit more."
Bivol's promoter Eddie Hearn: "When you fight Beterbiev, it's like a ticking time bomb. The speed of that time bomb depends on the opponent. Dmitry has the ability to make that tick really slow. How slow can he make it tick? The boom point is 12 rounds.
"Beterbiev is going to get you, but how quick can he get you and how long do you have left when he does get you? The only person who can beat Beterbiev right now is Bivol."
Credit: GETTY British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley: "I am edging toward Bivol but this is probably one of the hardest fights to predict in boxing at the moment. It's a real pick 'em fight with two men with completely different styles. Beterbiev is a destroyer who can clean through everyone. Bivol has great power but is such a clean and precise boxer.
"It's a question of who can enforce their style best on the night and make the impact."
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Sweet Caroline
They're playing Sweet Caroline inside the arena as the pundits stretch out some conversation about the best 'pound for pound' fighters.
Sweet Caroline is usually played right before the fight, but I've been informed that there will be several musical acts including Busta Rhymes.
That should be something.
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Beauty and the beast
I get that “beauty and the beast” is overused in sporting terminology these days.
In fact it’s basically brought out whenever anyone dares play cautiously against a Pep Guardiola team.
Anyway, it’s apt here.
And that’s because Artur Beterbiev is one scary fella. The 39-year-old is scary as hell and hits like a horse kicks.
He’s got a record of 20-0 with 20 KOs. Only one opponent has actually reached the 12th Round against him, and he still didn’t see the final bell.
Dmitry Bivol is a more technical fighter, disciplined and a master of controlling the distance and pace of the fight.
Credit: GETTY -
Awkward
Did anyone see that press conference earlier this week? Artur Beterbiev and Eddie Hearn had an awkward and mildly terrifying exchange.
Host Dev Sahni asked: "He [Eddie] called you [Beterbiev] arrogant, what are your thoughts on that?"
Beterbiev replied: "You are trying to make me have a fight with Eddie? I can't do something you know."
Hearn quickly replied: "Don't you worry about me. You have to get through Bivol first. When he is finished with you, it will be easier for me."
Beterbiev then made a joke fight offer, adding: "Maybe with you today? You are not in good condition right now?"
Hearn replied: "Not for you that's not a tough challenge. Me? I'm in terrible condition."
The champion added: "You talk a lot, okay we will see this Saturday."
Hearn had the final word, obviously: "That is my job, you should try it."
Fight Fight FightCredit: GETTY -
"He's a dangerous man"
Frank Warren speaking to DAZN: "That was sensational. I did expect Fabio to win but I thought it would have gone a few more rounds.
"But that was some finish. He's a dangerous man. A powerful man. I understand that Frazer has fractured or broken his cheek bone.
"That last punch - he was gone on his feet. Fabio has announced himself on the world stage and will be on the world stage next year."
Asked about his next fight and potential candidates, Warren said: "I think he's ready to take on people in the top ten now. He's very capable of fighting for a world title, no doubt about that."
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Worried for Frazer
Light-heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde told Sky Sports: "I'm happy for Fabio, but at the same time I'm so worried for Frazer.
"Anyone in boxing knows that Frazer is one of the nicest people in boxing so that's why I was worried. Seeing him look like that was worrying. It's the hurt sport, but seeing that don't make me feel good.
"Well done to Fabio. He's got that dog in him. The way he swings and he's very skilful as well."
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The main event
And then there was one. Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol.
The pair will finally step in the ring together with all four titles on the line. Beterbiev holds the WBC, WBO and IBF belts while 33-year-old Bivol is the WBA Super champion.
Now this contest was scheduled for 11pm with the fight expected to start at around 23:30 - but I do hope they'll bring it forward, for all our sakes.
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War by name War by nature
Report from our man Wally Downes Jr in Riyadh
Fabio Wardley massacred Frazer Clarke in a single brilliant round that left the battered challenger with a DENT in his skull.
The 29-year-old Suffolk Puncher survived a horribly mangled nose back in March when the Olympic bronze winner smashed it into a bloody mess and they shared a brilliant draw.
But in Riyadh on Saturday night it was 33-year-old Clarke and his mess of a corner that needed wiping off of the floor.
Fabio Wardley celebratesCredit: GETTY Brilliant Wardley grinned: “I know that once I hurt someone, I can get rid of them. I had a few issues for the first fight but I got rid of them, had a game plan and executed it.
"I learned enough from the first fight to know I had enough to beat him properly. I can’t help it, it's my name; War by name War by nature.
"I want belts and titles next, these domestic ones are great but I want the ones that have ‘world’ written on them.
"I want belts and titles next, these domestic ones are great but I want the ones that have ‘world’ written on them."
The champCredit: GETTY -
On his feet
It's good to see Frazer Clarke is back up on his feet. He walks over to congratulate Fabio Wardley before being escorted out of the ring. Fingers crossed he's not too damaged after that.
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Devastating
That was utterly devastating from champion Fabio Wardley.
After a slowish two minutes, Wardley rocked Clarke with a big right before pouncing on him with a flurry of shots.
Clarke just about stayed on his feet before Wardley advanced and unleashed a looping right that buried his opponent, who required the doctors immediately.
Wardley moves to 18-0-1 with 17 KOs.
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Fabio Wardley beats Frazer Clarke by KO
Both fighters just feeling each other out in these very early stages. Both keeping their distance and testing each other with the odd jab…
Bang! It's over!
Fabio Wardley delivers a colossal right to drill Frazer Clarke to the deck and the referee waves it off with the challenger still down on his haunches.
Fabio Wardley knocks out Frazer Clarke during the British Heavyweight title fightCredit: GETTY -
Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke - Round 1
Ding Ding - let's go!
"I've proved myself at British and Commonwealth level but I'd say my boat is a little ahead of Frazer's," said Fabio Wardley ahead of this fight. Let's see if he's right.
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Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke
Yes indeed, it's back to the action after that pause for the car giveaway. The big boys are on their way to the ring now as unbeaten challenger Frazer Clarke makes his entrance.
He was dropped in the first fight and was deducted a point for a low blow and STILL did enough to secure a draw.
He's followed by undefeated defending champion Fabio Wardley, who's sporting the Gladiator garb.
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What's this?
Oh my. There's been a pause in the Kingdom Arena because there's… well there's no other way of saying it -- there's a raffle going on.
The grand prize? A 2024 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Turki Alalshikh has just hit a big buzzer and a computer has randomly chosen a seat number. The lucky winner has strolled on down to the stage to collect the car while Celebration by Kool & The Gang plays.
I one a free bag of fruit on McDonald's Monopoly the other day, so who's the real winner?
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This feels familiar
Of course it does, it's only been seven months after the pair battled to a bruising draw.
British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley defends his title against Frazer Clarke next and if it's anything like the first bout - we're in for a real treat.
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"Dreams sunk by beer-loving Aussie"
From our man in Riyadh, Wally Downes Jr
Jack Massey had his world title dream sunk by beer-loving Aussie cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia.
The Cheshire trier had a crack at the IBF title but the ruthless 29-year-old champ - who told SunSport in fight week that he proudly still mixes pulling punches and pints - was one round too much for him.
The 31-year-old Brit challenger made a bold start, catching most of Opetaia’s attacks on his gloves and trying to counter.
The former scaffolder did not look poles apart in ability from the undefeated champ, but a right hook at the end of the session swayed it into the Aussie’s favour.
The Cheshire challenger planned to take Opetaia into the later deep rounds but by the fifth his face was turning purple and bloody.
And respected and caring trainer Joe Gallagher correctly threw in the white towel in the sixth when it was clearly a matter of time when his lad would get seriously hurt.
Jack Massey's corner throw in the towelCredit: GETTY -
Jai Opetaia beats Jack Massey
Jack Massey's nose, eye and mouth are all busted up as he spits out blood onto the canvas. I'm not entirely sure what the benefit of him continuing is, but he's as tough as they come.
…..
The towel is thrown in by Joe Gallagher in Jack Massey's corner. A very wise decision in my book.
That was just about as dominant as it gets from the IBF cruiserweight champion. Very impressive as he moves to 26-0.
Jai Opetaia beats Jack Massey in their IBF World Cruiserweight title fightCredit: GETTY -
Jai Opetaia vs Jack Massey – Round 5
Jai Opetaia has clearly listened to his corner. He races out of his corner and lands with a flurry of shots. He's shifted gears now, no doubt about that - wins that round comfortably.
Massey had a small cut above his left eye towards the end of the last round and another big shot from Opetaia opens it up further. That's only going to get worse.
Andy Lee thinks the fight will be over in the next round. We shall see, Andy.
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Jai Opetaia vs Jack Massey – Round 4
Some nice stuff from Massey in that round as he breaks through Opetaia's guard and lands a straight right.
"He's starting to throw back now," says Opetaia's trainer. "What happened to your jab?"
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Jai Opetaia vs Jack Massey – Round 3
Jack Massey scores a big one with a clean right that checks his opponents for a second. His corner will hope he can take confidence from that and kick on but Jai Opetaia returns with a big body shot and springs out of range.
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Jai Opetaia vs Jack Massey – Round 2
Lovely clean counter right from Jai Opetaia, who then drops it down to the body. He really is looking a class above the Briton so far tonight. Beautiful rhythm and great footwork.
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Jai Opetaia vs Jack Massey - Round 1
I'd just like to say that Jack "One Smack" Massey is one of my favourite nicknames of all time.
Anyway, favourite Opetaia has started in a confident fashion, backing his opponent to the ropes and unleashing a solid punch to the body. He follows that with a telegraphed left and a series of jabs. It's all very sharp.
But remember, Jack Massey went the distance with heavyweight Joseph Parker - so he's not going to be overawed too easily.
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Next up…
Let's move on from that, shall we?
Australian fighter Jai Opetaia defends his IBF Cruiserweight title against Jack Massey.
There's no doubting that Opetaia is the favourite for this one, but Massey is extremely confident that he can cause a big upset after winning six of his past seven fights, with his only defeat coming when he stepped up to heavyweight to face Joseph Parker.









