Beterbiev vs Bivol 2: Undercard Shake-Up as Surprise Replacement Emerges

*Since publishing this article, a replacement has been named. Find more details here.

The Last Crescendo, the latest Riyadh Season bill, will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 22. This loaded card headlined by Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 is undoubtedly one of the greatest cards ever. Fight week has been overshadowed by the news that Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs) was taken ill and has been deemed not fit to fight WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs).

Shakur Stevenson Opponent Change After Schofield Falls Ill

Surprise Name Mentioned to Face Shakur Stevenson

As reported by the Ring Magazine, “Kid Austin” fell ill and was taken to a hospital in Riyadh and was subsequently deemed not fit to fight by the British Boxing Board of Control. This has left the organisers trying to find a new opponent for Stevenson.

According to various reports, British fighter Josh Padley (15-0, 4 KOs) is an option following his upset win over Mark Chamberlain on the Anthony Joshua-Daniel Dubois undercard at Wembley Stadium in London. Spain’s Moussa Gholam is another potential replacement.

The no-show of Schofield at the Grand Arrivals event first alerted many to a possible issue – although Shakur appeared relaxed at the arrivals: “I’m ready to capture the moment,” Stevenson said at the arrivals. “I’m focused, I put in a great training camp and it’s my time. I’m ready to show the world I’m a superstar. I think I’m one of the best fighters in the sport of boxing. The world will know (Saturday). They can expect the best fighter show out. That’s what I’m gonna do.”

As this piece is being written reports are circulating that Padley will indeed be the fighter to step up. If it is the Brit, Gholam or another fighter, it will be a huge task to dethrone one of the most talented fighters on the planet at such short notice.

Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 Full Fight Card

• Main event: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – for WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring belts
• Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole – Heavyweights
• Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley – for WBC lightweight title
• Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz – for WBC middleweight title
• Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov – for interim WBC super-welterweight title
• Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel – for interim WBC heavyweight title
• Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – for interim WBO light-heavyweight title
• Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira, 6 rounds, welterweights
• Mohammed Alakel vs. Engel Gomez, 6 rounds, super featherweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for build-up to Beterbiev vs Bivol 2, including who Shakur Stevenson will face.