With some of the best boxers in the world in his weight range and well within his sights, Dmitry Bivol will continue to do whatever it takes to remain at his best.
The unbeaten light heavyweight titlist is determined to land a big fight in 2020, at least whenever the sport as a whole can resume its regular schedule. There is no shortage of all start talent in and around the 175-pound division, as recognized by the 29-year old in his recently calling out the biggest name in the sport in Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Aware that such a fight will take place at whatever weight Alvarez would desire—in the event the Mexican icon would be interested in such a clash—Bivol has done his part to stay in shape.
“The gyms are closed, restaurants are closed,” Bivol (17-0, 11KOs) of current life in his Russia home country in a recent interview with promoter Eddie Hearn on Instagram Live. “I have one gym and don’t tell anyone where I go. It’s just for me.”
Bivol has been out of the ring since a 12-round decision over Lenin Castillo last October, making the sixth defense of his version of the light heavyweight crown (excluding interim title fights). The win was his second in as many fights in 2019, having also soundly outpointed hard-hitting contender Joe Smith Jr. last March.
A recurring theme in his title fights is his being the naturally smaller fighter as of late. Bivol has teased in the past the possibility of dropping down in weight for the right opportunity, for which a showdown with Alvarez (53-1-2, 36KOs) would most certainly qualify.
Such a move would be a one-off occasion, with the primary focus moving ahead being that his team—which includes top-shelf manager Vadim Kornilov and World of Boxing, as well as stateside co-promoters Matchroom Boxing USA and Main Events—seek out the best fights possible.
“It doesn’t matter for me,” assures Bivol, regarding whether he fights at 168- or 175-pounds. “Of course, I see my future in 175. But I told the boss, I can move down to get the big fight. I don’t have a problem gettting down to 168 to fight Canelo.
“I know that [Hearn] and DAZN don’t have a problem making the fight for me against Canelo.”
That’s not entirely true.
“Maybe Canelo will,” Hearn quipped in whether there exists such interest on Alvarez’s side.
A fight with Alvarez would undoubtedly serve as the most lucrative option for anyone in the sport. But there’s so much more to it than just a paycheck.
“First of all, I want to fight against him to make my own history,” Bivol insists. “Then… then, it’s about money. Of course, we are here to earn money, but it’s not my goal, to earn more money. I have enough money, I’m happy.
“But… I have to use to my skills and all of my talent, and show my talent for boxing fans.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox