The undercard highlights from Riyadh: Stevenson defends World Championship title, Ortiz Jr. defeats Madrimov, Parker in quick succession against Bakole and more.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 knockouts) secured the interim WBO heavyweight title with a spectacular knockout of Martin Bakole (21-2, 16 knockouts). The New Zealander delivered a dominant performance and sent Bakole to the floor in round 2 with a cracking right hand. Although the Congolese colossus got back to his feet before the count, coach Billy Nelson threw in the towel. Bakole stepped in at short notice as a replacement for IBF world champion Daniel Dubois, who had to withdraw a few hours before the fight.
In the light heavyweight division, Callum Smith (31-2, 22 knockouts) and Joshua Buatsi (19-1, 13 knockouts) opened the main card for Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2, with the two top British boxers delivering a high-class fight that was itself main-event worthy. After 12 intense and action-packed rounds, Smith was unanimously declared the winner and crowned WBO Interim World Light Heavyweight Champion. The judges scored it 115-113, 119-110 and 116-112 for the Liverpudlian.
Stevenson remains champion
Another highlight of the evening was the last-minute fight between Shakur Stevenson (23-0, 11 knockouts) and Josh Padley (15-1, 4 knockouts). Padley stepped in as a late replacement for Floyd Schofield, who was declared unfit to fight by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC). Despite a brave performance, the challenger lost out to the technically brilliant Stevenson. Padley was knocked down three times in the ninth, whereupon his corner threw in the towel and the fight ended by knockout.
In the middleweight division, Carlos Adames (24-1-1, 18 knockouts) defended his WBC title against the unbeaten Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 knockouts). In a controversial verdict – Adames retained the upper hand with a draw – judges disagreed. While one of the judges saw Sheeraz narrowly ahead with 115-114, another judged Adames as the winner with a clear 118-110. The third judge saw the fight as a draw at 114-114. Draw by split decision – so Adames remains WBC World Champion.
Ortiz Jr. decides close fight in his favor
Vergil Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 knockouts) defeated Israil Madrimov (10-2-1, 7 knockouts) to win the interim WBC belt. The unbeaten US-American delivered a tactically disciplined performance against the former world champion from Uzbekistan. The judges saw Ortiz Jr. unanimously in front with two 115-113 and 116-112.
The boxing night “The Last Crescendo” on February 22 in Riyadh delivered a mixture of spectacular knockouts, high-class fights and controversial decisions – an event to remember.
Text: Adam Noble-Forcey