The Last Crescendo: Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 and Parker vs Bakole fight preview

IMAGO The Last Crescendo is dubbed the 'fight card of the century' as Bivol vs Beterbiev headline in Riyadh. 

It’s billed as the biggest fight night in a generation and one of the most important cards in professional boxing history. The Last Crescendo is the eagerly anticipated latest addition to the globally popular Riyadh Series, and it’s live from the Kingdom Arena, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.

Top of the bill pairs Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in a fascinating rematch. Big-punching Beterbiev won the first encounter in October at the same venue, clinching a razor-thin points decision. 

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That was Bivol’s first defeat as a prizefighter, but will he respond to claim his revenge, level the scores, and pave the way for a trilogy later this year? All four of the world's light heavyweight titles are on the line and we've got a comprehensive 'The Last Crescendo' betting tips preview for you too.

Martin Bakole vs Joseph Parker with Parker's WBO interim heavyweight title on the line is the stand-out from a stacked undercard.

Whoever triumphs in this fight will become the mandatory challenger to unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

How to watch the ‘Last Crescendo’

It’s a night of boxing you won’t want to miss.

Thankfully, The Last Crescendo card is live on several popular broadcasters and their live streaming apps. You can follow every punch from the undercard and main event on DAZN, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports.

When is the ‘Last Crescendo’?

The clock is ticking down to the opening bell in Riyadh. 

The Last Crescendo will take place on Saturday 22 February and broadcast to a global audience expected to smash the pay-per-view records.

Where is the ‘Last Crescendo’ 

Big-time boxing returns to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The modern venue also staged Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury, Beterbiev vs Bivol I, and Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou.

What time does the ‘Last Crescendo’ card begin?

Every bout on the card promises entertainment, drama, and high-class boxing. You’ll want to be settled early for this one, with the first fight scheduled for 18:00 GMT. Unlike most other boxing shows, the broadcasters will screen and stream every one of the eight bouts.

What time is the ‘Last Crescendo’ grand arrivals?

With the start time for Beterbiev vs Bivol scheduled for 23:00, you can expect the ring walks to begin closer to 22:30 GMT.

Recent history has shown us promoters of the Saudi Series like to make a song and dance about the introductions, quite literally. Like the days of Wladimir Klitschko’s dominance of the heavyweight division in Germany, fans can expect the hosts to pull out all the stops. 

Expect music, a screening of the official fight trailer, ensuring an atmosphere worthy of the occasion, and a world title unification decider.

The Last Crescendo: Full fight undercard

The list below details the entire fight card that’s co-promoted by Bob Arum (Top Rank), Tom Brown (TGB Promotions), Oscar de la Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions), Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Boxing), Benjamin Shalom (Boxxer), and Frank Warren (Queensberry Promotions).

• Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol - light heavyweight world title fight
• Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole - WBO interim heavyweight world title fight
• Carlos Adames vs Hamza Sheeraz - middleweight world title fight
• Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov - super welterweight world title fight
• Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley - lightweight world title fight
• Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayet - heavyweight world title fight
• Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith - light heavyweight world title fight

When is the final ‘Last Crescendo’ press conference?

The last chance to see the fighters before the opening bell is at the official weigh-in, open to fans and the media on Friday. 

The event will be live on DAZN, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports. The weigh-in and press conference allows officials to record the weights, the media to gather interviews, and the fighters to face off.

Riyadh Season - ‘The Last Crescendo’ - what’s been said?

Frank Warren told talkSPORT:

"Well, I said when Riyadh Season was [first] announced, when HE got involved, that this is going to be a game-changer. "But even I didn't realise what a game-changer it was going to be. "I mean, this card on February 22 is something special. "When you look at it, every fight on there is a magnificent fight. I mean, I've never seen a card like it. It is so spectacular."

Unwilling to be dragged into a war of words, both fighters from the main event spoke of their hopes for Saturday. 

Bivol told the gathered media at a recent press conference:

“This is a good chance for me. I know people liked the first fight and they want to see the second fight, and I want to be the winner of this fight.

The fighter’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, added:

“To me, [Bivol] should be sitting here as undisputed light-heavyweight champion. When we got in the ring [after the fight], I believe both teams knew there was only one winner in that fight, and now it’s time to put it right on 22 February.”

Winner of the first fight, Beterbiev countered with:

“Even though someone says it's a close fight or something, I feel I won this fight,” said Beterbiev on the decision. “First fight is the first fight, but the second one we're going to see what's going to happen there.

“I would think we can change some things, some different things. We need to change enough for a win, you know.”

Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Fight odds

The pre-fight betting odds are currently available at all major sportsbooks. Here are the latest prices.

Beterbiev win @ 4/5 (BetMGM)

Draw @ 15/1 (BetMGM)

Bivol win @ 21/10 (BetMGM)

Bakole vs Parker: Fight odds

Here’s the current betting on the chief support, Martin Bakole vs Joseph Parker.

Bakole win @ 31/20 (BetMGM)

Draw @ 16/1 (BetMGM)

Parker @ 13/25 (BetMGM)

Prop bets 

If you’re looking to avoid the fight-winner market, given just how close the first bout was, here are some useful prop bets to consider for both fights.

Bivol to win on points @ 13/5 (BetMGM)

Parker to win KO, TKO or DQ @ 5/4

Round betting 

Beterbiev vs Bivol over 10.5 rounds @ 7/20 (BetMGM)

Bakole vs Parker over 8.5 rounds @ 33/50 (Vegasland)

Knockdown betting

Bivol to be knocked down @ 11/10 

Parker to be knocked down and win @ 5/1

The Last Crescendo: full fight week events schedule

Odds correct at the time of writing.