The February 22nd boxing card in Riyadh is already being hailed as one of the most ambitious events in the sport's history. Boasting names like Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker, Shakur Stevenson, and Vergil Ortiz, the lineup could rival some of boxing’s most legendary nights if everything comes together as planned.
Among the bouts confirmed are Jaron Ennis vs. Vergil Ortiz, a clash of two rising welterweight stars, and Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Carlos Adames for the middleweight spotlight. The event will also feature an undisputed rematch between light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, likely to headline the evening.
Historical comparisons abound, with many fans likening this card to Don King’s stacked events from the 1980s or classic nights like May 8, 1993, when Gerald McClellan and Julian Jackson shared the stage with Lennox Lewis and Julio Cesar Chavez.
However, while the card is undeniably stacked, some matchups have drawn criticism for their predictability. Shakur Stevenson’s bout against Floyd Schofield is widely seen as a mismatch, with the young Schofield lacking the experience to pose a serious threat to the WBC lightweight champion. Critics argue that Stevenson would be better tested against more seasoned fighters like Andy Cruz or Keyshawn Davis.
The heavyweight division also adds intrigue with Zhilei Zhang taking on Agit Kabayel. Though entertaining, Zhang’s recent loss to Joseph Parker and his age at 41 have some questioning the competitive quality of this bout. Matching Zhang with Parker or Kabayel with Daniel Dubois might have provided more even contests.
Still, there’s no denying the spectacle this card presents. With multiple world titles on the line and star power across divisions, February 22nd could set a new standard for mega-events in boxing.
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