Beterbiev v Bivol 2 - all you need to know

*A new version of this story has been published here

Dmitry Bivol is seeking revenge when he faces undisputed light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in a rematch in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Daniel Dubois was due to defend his IBF heavyweight title against Joseph Parker in the co-main event but the Briton has withdrawn from the bout due to illness.

A stellar card in Riyadh has taken a hit over the past 48 hours with Floyd Schofield Jr pulling out of his bout with WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson.

There are still two Britons in world title action with Yorkshireman Josh Padley stepping in to replace Schofield Jr and Hamzah Sheeraz challenging WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames.

Live radio commentary will start at 16:30 GMT and live text commentary will begin at 18:30 on fight night on the BBC Sport website and app.

Will Bivol get revenge against Beterbiev? Will British middleweight Hamzah Sheeraz win his maiden world title?

Everything you need to know about the exciting fight night packed with world-title action and 50/50 contests is below.

When is Beterbiev v Bivol 2 and what are the UK times?

It was just after 22:30 GMT when Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk got their heavyweight contest under way in the last fight to happen in Riyadh.

However, ringwalk times in the Kingdom varied dramatically in 2024 and with such a stacked card, it could be a late night.

The first fight is set to start a 16:45, with Joshua Buatsi v Callum Smith kicking off the card.

Sheeraz is expected to fight around 19:35.

Bivol and Beterbiev's ringwalks are targeted for 22:30, meaning the fight will probably start around 23:00.

How to follow Beterbiev v Bivol 2 on the BBC?

The entire fight night will be broadcast live on BBC Sport website & app from 16:30 GMT before switching to BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds at 19:30.

Live text commentary will begin alongside the radio commentary from 18:30.

The radio and live text commentary will include coverage of Britons Sheeraz and Padley's world title challenges.

Jeanette Kwakye presents from ringside, with commentary led by Ronald McIntosh, Steve Bunce and two-time world champion Josh Warrington.

Who is on the Beterbiev v Bivol 2 undercard and what is the running order?

Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol 2 – WBA, WBO, IBF & WBC light-heavyweight world titles (23:00 GMT)

• Joseph Parker v Martin Bakole – heavyweight (21:40)

• Shakur Stevenson v Josh Padley - WBC lightweight world title (20:35)

• Carlos Adames v Hamzah Sheeraz - WBC middleweight world title (19:35)

• Vergil Ortiz Jr v Israil Madrimov – light-middleweight (18:40)

• Zhilei Zhang v Agit Kabayel – heavyweight (17:40)

• Joshua Buatsi v Callum Smith – light-heavyweight (16:45)

What is the Beterbiev v Bivol 2 fight week schedule?

Tuesday – grand arrivals from 18:00 GMT

Wednesday – open workouts from 18:00

Thursday – news conference from 18:00

Friday – weigh-in from 18:00

What belts are on the line for Beterbiev v Bivol 2?

Artur Beterbiev holds all the four major light-heavyweight world titles

Beterbiev and Bivol will contest every major world title in their rematch, with the IBF, WBO, WBA and WBC light-heavyweight belts up for grabs.

What happened the first time Beterbiev & Bivol fought?

Beterbiev won the first contest on points by a narrow margin in October last year.

One judge scored the contest a 114-114 draw, with the other scorecards reading 115-113 and 116-112 to Beterbiev.

The public was split on who came out on top after 12 rounds, with the likes of Bivol's promoter Eddie Hearn saying he was "disgusted" by the decision.

The fight itself swung back and forth, with both men enjoying success. Beterbiev had success with body shots and landed more power punches in the second half of the contest. He peaked in the 11th round with 17 of the 21 punches he landed power shots.

• Beterbiev v Bivol - who won each round of light-heavyweight fight

Bivol leaned heavily on his movement and jab. His accuracy with total punches landed was better than Beterbiev's in every single round.

Both men were hurt in the seventh round, but neither was able to secure what would have been a crucial knockdown.

The bout was contested at a ferocious pace, with 1,105 combined punches thrown. Bivol landed more, 142 punches to Beterbiev's 137. But Beterbiev landed more power shots, 90 to Bivol's 84.

That said, Bivol was more accurate in his punching landing 34% overall and 50% of his power shots, while Beterbiev managed 20% overall and 29% of his power shots.

The statistics tell the story of a razor-close contest, setting up the prospect of another classic in the rematch.

Beterbiev v Bivol 2 predictions

Heavyweight Delicious Orie: "Beterbiev does it again. They are both so experienced but Beterbiev has that power and raw strength to push his opponent back."

Swedish fighter Otto Wallin: "Really tough to call, It's a 50/50 fight. The first fight was close and I'm sure this one will be as well but Beterbiev got the win the first time so I'm sure he can do it again."

Retired boxer & pundit Darren Barker: "I favour Bivol. Although I also feel Beterbiev can do more, Bivol can replicate what he did last time and add more. I feel Bivol will find a way and it sets up an inevitable trilogy. He needs to be a little more proactive, pick the moments and fill in the gaps with the jabs and feints. Try and do what Beterbiev is trying to do, slow him down in the stretch."

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn: "It's another 50/50 fight. Everything I hear from Bivol is that he wasn't at 100% last time. He's not an excuse-maker but I said before, Beterbiev is a ticking time bomb, it's how long you can last before the bomb goes off. It went off last time in the 10th round and it started to get tough in 10, 11 and 12. For nine rounds Dmitry boxed his ear holes off. Can he do it for 12? Or can he put a dent in Beterbiev?"