‘Mind-blowing’ – Boxing’s greatest card was plunged into chaos but there’s still knockout potential and one bloodbath

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Stacked bills have traditionally been in past eras featuring the likes of Mike Tyson, but this weekend’s action-packed card will transcend the sport forever.Depth throughout a boxing card is something that has dwindled in the modern era, with fans showing revisionism for classic events of the past.Beterbiev and Bivol top the sensational card, which is being labelled the best everGettyThe likes of Tyson’s incredible first event with bitter rival Evander Holyfield in 1998, and Muhammad Ali’s famous ‘Rumble In The Jungle’ with George Foreman in 1974 hold the mantle as some of the best sporting events in history.Depth of incredible squared circle talent and high-profile names was at a premium in the century past, but boxing has increasingly become more focused on the headline attraction.However, things have most certainly turned around in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this weekend, with the six-fight bill stacked with compelling narratives from top to bottom.From the opening bell, British rivals Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith will step out, a fight worthy of main event status on domestic shores.Hamzah Sheeraz will be going for a world title against Carlos Adames, with two other world title clashes on the card, including Josh Padley’s unlikely step-up on short notice against Shakur Stevenson after this week’s drama.Fans can also expect big KOs and true jeopardy in boxing’s glamour heavyweight divison with Zhilei Zhang taking on Agit Kabayel.But the card took another big blow with Daniel Dubois forced to withdraw from his clash with Joseph Parker after falling ill.Parker will keep his place on the card, and a mouth-watering clash with avoided heavyweight Martin Bakole has been created as the replacement.One fight could go under the radar in super-welterweight blockbuster between Vergil Ortiz Jr and Israil Madrimov.But it is not to be mentioned that fans, if they have got their breath back, can settle in for a mouth-watering undisputed light-heavyweight rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol at the top of the tree.Here, talkSPORT host and former bantamweight champion Spencer Oliver talks through the stacked bill.Why is the card considered the greatest in history?The card has outrageous layers of talent, jeopardy and repercussions on the sportGettyThe card will feature a total of three fights at world level, a whole host of the sport’s biggest superstars, huge jeopardy and big personalities ringside, including David Benavidez and Anthony Joshua.“I think we can say this is the strongest card of all-time,” Oliver said.“When you look down the cards and see the fights we have on there, Buatsi and Smith at the bottom of the card, it is quite phenomenal.“In depth by far this blows everything out of the water. It is extraordinary – what more can boxing fans want?“This card is simply phenomenal and I can’t remember ever seeing one like this.“The combined records of the main card is 331 wins and 12 losses, it is mind-blowing.”Boxing fans can barely believe their luck this weekendMark Robinson / Matchroom BoxingJoshua Buatsi vs Callum SmithBuatsi and Smith will open the card in a mouth-watering clash at light-heavyweight, with a shot at the main event victor on the line with the WBO interim title at stake.It is the former’s biggest test against Smith who has stepped up in weight in recent years and is the more experienced fighter under the brightest of lights.Oliver’s verdict: “It is a coming of age fight for Buatsi, he’s proven as Callum Smith was in the pound-for-pound list previously.“Now they get this opportunity on the huge stage. I pick Joshua Buatsi but I can never write off Callum Smith at all.Zhilei Zhang vs Agit KabayelHeavyweight action is all over the billGettyZhang and Kabayel meet in the first clash of power-punching brilliance at heavyweight, with the WBC interim title on the line.A win for either could set up a future clash with champion Oleksandr Usyk, but the pair can barely be separated with Zhang considered the puncher, while Kabayel is the younger and fresher.Oliver’s verdict: “I’m going to go with Zhilei Zhang. I think he wins it on points. Body shots could be key to this. It’s interesting and a 50/50 fight.”Vergil Ortiz vs Israil MadrimovOrtiz will defend his WBC super-welterweight interim title against Madrimov, who recently ran pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford close in September last year.It is frightening clash of styles, with Ortiz carrying explosive power, while Madrimov is a master of ring control and technique.This fight could steal the showGettyOliver’s verdict: “Ortiz is formidable, Madrimov is a great fighter and pushed Crawford all the way. Stylistically these two will clash and meet early.“I go for Ortiz to win this one by stoppage, I think it’s going to be a war, or maybe even a bloodbath.”Carlos Adames vs Hamzah SheerazOne of British boxing’s brightest stars will look to steal Adames WBC world middleweight title in his maiden clash for the step-up.He is a giant 6ft 5ins fighter but the champion will be looking to end his rise to the pinnacle of the division.Oliver’s verdict: “Adames is a great champion, he only has one defeat and is very heavy-handed.Sheeraz is looking to strike gold at world level for the first timeGetty“But for me Sheeraz this is the night, the prince gets crowned king. I think he wins the fight but it’s a really tough clash and a must watch.”Shakur Stevenson vs Josh PadleyStevenson was set to meet Floyd Schofield in a mouth-watering clash, but late drama saw his rival pulled out of the WBC lightweight title clash.In a Rocky-like story, part-time electrician Josh Padley will step in on three-days short notice, and look to inflict one of boxing’s biggest ever upsets.Oliver’s verdict: “Stevenson reminds me of Floyd Mayweather, he has frightening talent, aura and is a real big star in the future.”Joseph Parker vs Martin BakoleBakole will now step in at short notice to face ParkerGettyAfter Dubois’ withdrawal, Parker will still fight and take on hugely avoided heavyweight Bakole.The fight will no longer be for the IBF title, but Parker will need to be aware, with the Congolese power-puncher a real threat in the division.Oliver’s verdict: “Listen, we know Martin Bakole is that guy who keeps himself in shape.“He is looking at fighting an IBF eliminator in May, but he is instead getting that opportunity unexpectedly now. Insane but you have to respect it.”Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry BivolThe bill-topping fight is one that will need to be seen to be believed.The headline act is one which could be considered one of the best fights in boxingTop RankBivol and Beterbiev met in an epic and intriguing thriller last October, with the former losing to a narrow and contentious judging decision.The pair will now meet again for all the marbles at light-heavyweight, with their polar opposite styles to be imposed against each other in a chess-match again.Oliver’s verdict: “Despite how close it was, I think Beterbiev wins wider this time, he was carrying an injury.“What you see behind the monster, there is a boxing IQ, he is smart and I’d have him. But wow the card just cannot get any better and what a way to end it.”