If the grand arrivals of a big fight week can rarely be relied upon to provide a single worthwhile soundbite, the open workouts never – ever – deliver any kind of insight into how the fighters will approach battle when the business end of the promotion arrives.
So it proved Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, ahead of ‘The Last Crescendo’, a truly sumptuous card decorated from top to bottom with world class 50/50 fights.
Here’s a breakdown of the night’s action:
Callum Smith, who will take on British countryman Joshua Buatsi in a light heavyweight 12-rounder for an interim strap, was the first of the elite fighters to take to the ring where he dutifully, and very gently, shadowboxed for about 30 seconds.
“This fight was offered, it’s a fight I like, and it will get me back to where I want to be,” Smith said. As for his thoughts on a 2023 loss to Beterbiev, Smith said it had allowed him to focus on areas of improvement. “When you’re winning, it’s easy to paper over the cracks.”
Buatsi remains unbeaten so perhaps he’s yet to have the same self-reflection. But he stretched the word ‘workout’ to breaking point as he barely managed to form a punch during his time on stage before insisting he’ll do his talking – and hopefully punching – in the ring on Saturday.
Next came heavyweights Agit Kabayel and Zhilei Zhang and, without the stress of making weight to dampen their mood, one of them – the former – actually bothered to wear boxing gloves. To say he offered any more clues about battleplans than Smith or Buatsi would be untrue, however. Kabayel said he was ready and did not make a prediction.
Zhang, meanwhile, came along with a smile on his face, danced very badly to the music in the background, and clowned to the camera. He said he’s “way better” than when he knocked out a war-torn Deontay Wilder last year.
Israil Madrimov, who will take on Vergil Ortiz Jnr in a terrific junior middleweight tussle, did a bit of stretching by way of introduction. He followed with a few energetic swipes. He went on to explain that February is a special month because it’s when his birthday, his brother’s birthday, and his coach’s birthday falls. “It’s an interesting fight for me and my career,” he added.
Ortiz followed the usual script, bounced on his toes a bit, punched thin air a bit, and then said he was “very excited and very motivated.” He was feeling great. And the key to victory? “Be myself.”
Middleweight contender Hamzah Sheeraz came in wearing a beanie hat and a heavier jacket than the rest. The 6ft 4ins knockout artist then stepped over the top rope and dutifully moved around the ring before grimacing at the camera to show off his bad intentions. He was feeling great, too.
His opponent, Carlos Adames, thought very carefully about doing anything at all before throwing his arms into the air, ever so briefly. His “work ethic” will ensure he beats Sheeraz. “Coconut trees are higher and we can still take them down,” he offered about his opponent’s height advantage.
Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight boss, has had an interesting week. He landed in Saudi believing he would be facing Floyd Schofield but after the challenger was pulled out 24 hours ago on the orders of doctors, it was confirmed Shakur would take on little-known Brit Josh Padley. He seemed cheerful enough, however.
“It’s been fun, I love everything about the show, the show must go on and I’m ready to put on a show,” he said about the show. “I knew [Schofield] was scared, I knew he was going to punk. They could have sent anyone [to replace Schofield], I’m ready.”
Padley managed to escape making an appearance.
Heavyweight contender Joseph Parker was only the second fighter of the night to resemble a boxer by donning gloves. He drank some fluids and even hit the pads held up by trainer Andy Lee; the double jab, right cross combo by far the most impressive thing on display to this point.
“I actually feel fantastic,” he said. It was convincing, too, he certainly felt fantastic. His opponent, Daniel Dubois, did his best to continue the theme. A rather catchy tune soundtracked his entrance, a customised song seemingly entitled “Daniel Triple D Dubois, champion of the world”. Dubois, the IBF heavyweight titlist, was reluctant to give too much credit to his trainer Don Charles – even when invited to – as he confirmed it was a team effort. He added that he was ready to fight.
And then there were only two.
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, the two best light heavyweights in the world who will engage in an eagerly anticipated rematch following their closer than close showdown in October.
Bivol worked so hard in his couple of minutes in the ring, he was almost out of breath. “I will take more chances, [use] more movement and [throw] more punches,” he promised before offering assurances that he’s ready for anything.
Then came exactly what he’ll need to be ready for: The brilliant champion Beterbiev, who won the first one via majority decision. He did a little dance, he twisted, he threatened to do the splits, and then he closed with that tennis ball trick of his. Even so, one sensed he didn’t overly enjoy himself.
How was he feeling? “Not bad.”
What can he do better? “Everything.”
Is he expecting a different version of Bivol? “Maybe.”
Will he get off to a faster start this time? “We’ll see.”
Indeed, all that’s left to do now is fight.
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