Dmitry Bivol has long been regarded as one of boxing’s best fighters.
The Russian fighter has enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022 after scoring a pair of dominant unanimous decision victories against Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez.
Before Bivol’s career-defining wins, it appeared the WBA light heavyweight champion was fighting down to the level of his competition in his previous three fights before that, simply cruising through rounds and decisions against the likes of Umar Salamov, Craig Richards, and Gilbert Castillo.
Bivol became a WBA interim world titlist in 2017 and was elevated to the full title of champion later that year. He’s also beaten former world titlists Jean Pascal and Joe Smith Jr., who at the time had not yet won a world title.
Fellow Russian Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) has held a firm grip on the 175-pound division in recent years, collecting the WBC, WBO, and IBF belts along the way by stopping the likes of Smith, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, and Marcus Browne.
All signs are pointing to a light heavyweight unification matchup for undisputed status in the division after Beterbiev fights Anthony Yarde, a bout slated for Jan. 28.
Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs), who turns 32 years old in December, believes he’s more than ready for the challenge against the soon-to-be 38-year-old Beterbiev.
“Because I believe in my skills. I could beat [Beterbiev], why not?” Bivol said in his post-fight press conference following the Ramirez win.
“I could lose. It depends on my preparation. It depends on my mental. I could have lost to Ramirez too. I tried to do everything right in my camp, and I tried to believe in myself.
“I tried to be focused on the fight. Why not [win against Beterbiev]? I have good defense and good combinations. I have good boxing skills. Why I couldn’t beat him? Of course, I could. I just need a good training camp and good sparring partners, and I could. You remember what people said about Canelo. We’re all people. Not monsters. Someone stronger, someone faster, but we’re all people.”
Matchroom Boxing head and Bivol promoter Eddie Hearn said Bivol has turned public perception following his pair of wins.
“I have to say, a year ago, a year and a half ago, I would say on paper, Beterbiev was the favorite in that fight. Not anymore. I honestly believe that Dmitry Bivol is the best 175-pound fighter in the world,” said Hearn. “As good and as dangerous Beterbiev is, I do not believe he will beat Dmitry Bivol at all.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
