Matchroom announced the total Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol card for the October twelfth event, with Shakur Stevenson vs. Joe Cordina being the co-feature, as expected. The event will probably be shown continue to exist DAZN PPV from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fans are desirous to see the headliner between IBF, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight champion Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) taking over WBA champ Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) for the undisputed 175-lb championship.
Co-Important Event: Stevenson vs Cordina Draws Criticism
It was already leaked on Monday that Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) would defend his WBC lightweight title against former IBF super featherweight champion Joe Cordina (17-1, 9 KOs). Shakur reportedly signed a one-fight take care of Matchroom Boxing, who promote the 32-year-old Cordina.
It’s not a fight that can interest U.S. fans and won’t help Shakur’s popularity, which has been sinking since last 12 months after his disastrous performance against Edwin De Los Santos.
A 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 night approaching 🔥 The #BeterbievBivol undercard is about!
October 12 just got even greater! 🇸🇦 #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/Mns04DrqwW
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 20, 2024
Fans within the U.S. are quickly discovering that Shakur shouldn’t be star material and undeserving of their time or interest. There are various more exciting fighters within the lightweight division than Shakur, and that’s an issue for promoter Eddie Hearn if he signs him to a long-term deal.
Stevenson’s Focus: “Chasing the Bag”
Shakur appeared defiant on social media today, angrily telling critics that he’s “chasing the bag” and now not fighting to please fans. He’s fighting for money; hence, the fight against recently brutally knocked out Cordina and Artem Harutyunyan reasonably than the highest echelon fighters.
The cardboard has many recognizable names, however the matches leave much to be desired. The very best fighter on the cardboard when it comes to pure entertainment is IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (25-0, 19 KOs). He’ll defend against British fighter Jack Massey 922-2, 12 KOs), but this matchup has been done to please the UK fans.
Middleweight Chris Eubank Jr. is fighting Kamil Szeremeta. That’s not a terrific fight, provided that Szeremeta isn’t ranked in the highest 15 at 160 and is usually known for being knocked out by Gennadiy Golovkin and Jaime Munguia. The cardboard can be higher if Matchroom excluded the bloat of adding the 34-year-old profession underachiever Eubank Jr. He’s useless for the cardboard, except for giving the old timers something to take a look at.
