One of the biggest cards in boxing history looms large tonight with seven fights making up the ‘The Last Crescendo’ in Saudi Arabia. Ahead of the opening bell, former world champion Anthony Crolla breaks down every bout for Metro and gives us his pre-fight predictions.
Sometimes you look through the fight card for a boxing event and you scratch your head and think, ‘where’s the drama?’ Which contests will give us the stoppages and non-stop action?’ And then you look at this Saturday’s Saudi card and ask the opposite. Where will there not be drama?!
It’s being billed as the best line-up of professional boxing fights of all time! Might sound a little over-hyped, but then you look again at the fights on ‘The Last Crescendo’ show and just have to say, ‘wow!’
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
Top of the bill is a repeat or revenge job between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. I called it right last time, and I think it’s going to be a very similar fight. There were some wild claims of a robbery after Beterbiev got the nod following the epic 12 rounds they shared in October.
It was a very close fight, but for me, Beterbiev was much more active and dominant for much of the contest. Bivol certainly had his moments but there wasn’t enough there for him to steal the rounds.
It was such a high-level fight, both were superb defensively, but some of Beterbiev’s shots were getting through and I thought he outworked Bivol. I think Beterbiev has one last massive performance left in him and I think it will be same again with another close decision.
Winner? Beterbiev on points
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole
There’s always a bit of drama with these fight-weeks and it’s a massive shame that illness forced Daniel Dubois to pull out of his very intriguing fight with Joe Parker. Amazing really that a replacement was found so late in the day, but what a replacement!
If Martin Bakole had had a full training camp, I would pick him to beat almost any heavyweight in the division, and that includes Joseph Parker. I think he’s a real problem. He’s got a great engine, but I don’t know how fit he is.
My worry is, a big man like that travelling on 48 hours notice, I’ve got to lean towards Parker. I think considering the circumstances I’m going to say Parker on points or possibly late stoppage.
Winner? Parker on points
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Moving on to middleweight, I think Hamzah Sheeraz is probably the most improved fighter in the UK. I believe the timing is right for him and what an opportunity to win the legendary green and gold WBC belt!
He’s been on the Riyadh stage before and knows it very well. I think he’ll have a few rocky moments against the champion Carlos Adames who is no slouch, but I just see Sheeraz winning wide on points, or possibly with a late stoppage.
Winner? Sheeraz on points or late stoppage
Virgil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov
I have to say, the fight I’m most excited about is Virgil Ortiz Jr and Israil Madrimov. I thought the Uzbek was fantastic in his points loss to Terence Crawford in his last fight, and while I don’t think it was as close as some people said, it was a great performance and he’s a fantastic fighter. Ortiz fights just one way and he’s all-action! I don’t see how this could possibly be a bad fight. I think this will be fight of the night.
I’m going to go with Madrimov on points as I think he’ll pull away a little bit in the second half of the fight. It will frantic, for at least six rounds, but the better defence of Madrimov will win it for him.
Winner? Madrimov on points
Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley
Dropping down to where I used to campaign in the lightweight division, and we should’ve been looking forward to a bout between Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield, but illness to the latter very late on has scuppered it. It’s a massive disappointment for Schofield, but what an opportunity for Yorkshire’s Josh Padley who now gets the last-minute golden call!
I’m glad he’s getting this chance because he did so well last time out in beating Mark Chamberlain – and beating him well. But let’s be honest, this would be one of the very biggest shocks in British boxing history if he pulls it off!
Stevenson is a special fighter and I think he’ll be keen to make a big statement on this card. Look, Josh has nothing to lose, but he’s in against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and I think Shakur stops him within four rounds. Expect body shots to do the damage.
Winner? Stevenson via stoppage
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel
The Saudis love their heavyweights and Turki Alalshikh has played a blinder in putting Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel together. I’ve been a fan of Kabayel since back in 2017 when he beat Derek Chisora and then he kind of disappeared under the radar for a few years. He burst back on the scene and did a right job on Frank Sanchez in his last fight.
With ‘Big Bang’ Zhang, you’re dealing with a lad who is a huge puncher and a big threat for four rounds. He’s got a chance with absolutely any heavyweight in the world. But I just think the big German is going to be too fresh for Zhang who is a decade older at 41.
Even though I could envisage Kabayel touching down in those early rounds, I think he’ll grow into the fight, use his skills and youth to score a wide points decision.
Winner? Kabayel on points
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith
Buatsi v Smith. Wow. I know I’m saying it about all the fights, but this is another fantastic contest. Let’s get it right, this isn’t just a domestic clash at light-heavyweight – it’s a much higher level than that. The winner of this one gets a world title shot. You have here two very correct fighters. If you’re talking to young amateur boxers and encouraging them to learn good habits, you’d tell them to watch these two.
We didn’t see the best Callum Smith when he boxed Beterbiev just over a year ago, and I feel the firepower may lie with my old stablemate. That said, Josh is well capable of hurting anyone and I think both will have to take their licks in this fight. I’m leaning slightly towards Callum because of his power, and for that reason I think he’ll take it on points.
Winner? Smith on points
Just finally, I felt so sorry for Brad Rea who should have been on the card in a really intriguing fight against Constantino Nanga. Boxing can be so cruel and the injury to Nanga has robbed Brad of a big opportunity.
Being a fellow Mancunian, I’ve known Brad since he was a chubby eleven-year-old. He’s a great lad, a huge talent and very dedicated. He’s come back so well after his first defeat to Tyler Denny a couple of years ago, and I was buzzing for him getting this opportunity to put him back where he belongs. But that’s boxing, it can be very cruel, and I just hope Brad can get back out there soon and show the world what he’s all about.
Anthony Crolla’s column was provided courtesy of Freebets.com where he works as a columnist and boxing expert