Bivol, on Beterbiev: “He is stronger than Canelo”
The WBA light heavyweight champion seeks unification with his compatriot and defines him as his “toughest test”, above the Mexican.
The light heavyweight unification inches closer by the day. Dmitry Bivol (22-0-0, 11 KO) and Artur Beterbiev (20-0-0, 20 KO) are on a collision course that is years in the making, one that would see the division crown it’s first ever undisputed champion.
Saudi Arabia is pushing to be chosen as the venue, and they look to be without serious competition. For his part, Bivol wants that clash to come as soon as possible. “To be honest, I think it’s my toughest test,” the Russian revealed in an interview with Matchroom Boxing.
Wherever it happens, standing across the ring from Bivol will be Artur Beterbiev. In possession of the WBC, WBO and IBF belts, Beterbiev has his eye on Bivol’s WBA belt.
Bivol praised Beterbiev, saying, “He is strong, very strong. He’s like stone. His punches are very hard and his body is hard.”
When asked about a comparison with Canelo Álvarez, Bivol said, “He is stronger. I know that he is physically stronger than Canelo.”
The Mexican superstar is a bona fide boxing legend. At 60-2-2, with 39 KOs, most fans thought it a foregone conclusion that the four-weight champion would add a fifth division to his collection. But Bivol came out and battered Álvarez from pillar to post, proving to be a cut above even the greatest of challengers.
Beterbiev, for his part, has been a wrecking machine, knocking out every opponent that he has faced. But Bivol thinks that it would be a mistake to focus solely on the knockout record, insisting that Beterbiev has the boxing skill to make this a tasty matchup. “He has good technique too. Many people talk about his power but they forget about his technique because his power is so much better than his technique, but he still had good technique.”
Bivol is a fan of the sweet science, perhaps even more than a good dust up. “I love boxing so much. I like smart boxing and I want to believe that I’m showing this boxing to the people. It should be better than power or just speed. I hope the skills should win. I hope I have enough skills to win this fight. I will push myself to do it.”