Once again, Turki Al-Sheikh is putting on an incredible boxing event on Saturday. It will be Riyadh Season’s “The Last Crescendo,” featuring Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship. This main card features seven fights, each for a title.
The main card is set to air at 11:00 a.m. ET, with the ringwalks for the main event expected to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET. Here are my two best bets for Saturday’s boxing card headlined by Beterbiev vs Bivol 2.
Artur Beterbiev by KO/TKO/DQ (+225)
Yes, Beterbiev did win a close decision in his first fight against Bivol in October. But that also wasn’t the version of Beterbiev we are used to seeing. Before this contest, he had knocked out each of his first 20 opponents. Beterbiev is the favorite to win this fight at -130 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
After Bivol outlanded him in total punches 142-137 in their first bout, Beterbiev needs to be more active, especially in the first half of the contest. Beterbiev has shown that even if an opponent lasts throughout the first 8-10 rounds, eventually, his power will be too much to overcome.
Bivol has a ton of pressure to avenge his loss in October, but Beterbiev could make a strong case that he is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world with a victory. Getting the best power puncher in the world at +225 to record a knockout is a great value, even against an elite opponent like Bivol.
Hamzah Sheeraz by KO/TKO/DQ (+110)
Like Beterbiev, Hamzah Sheeraz is also an unreal power puncher. He has knocked out his previous 15 opponents. Sheeraz, 25, is 21-0 and looking to win his first world championship against Carlos Adames. On paper, Sheeraz is the taller fighter (6’3″ vs. 5’11”) while having a more significant standing reach (75″ vs. 73″).
Sheeraz is a big favorite in this fight, at -340, with Adames at +260. Adames has won six straight fights, but he hasn’t fought someone on the level of Sheeraz. While Sheeraz’s odds on the moneyline aren’t great, you can back him at +110 to win this bout by KO/TKO. Not only is Sheeraz on a great run, he isn’t wasting time when he gets in the ring. Sheeraz has knocked out five of his past six opponents in the first two rounds.
