The ex-mentor of the cult Kazakhstani champion Gennady Golovkin, the age-old Mexican specialist Abel Sanchez, has practically retired – he appears less and less in his boxing gym. But the coach is still following the situation in the boxing world and commented with pleasure on the victory of WBA Super champion Russian light heavyweight Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) over Mexican Gilberto Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs).
Sanchez not
hidesthat he incorrectly assessed the balance of power in this pair: “I made a mistake with the forecast. Thought that Gilberto would be too big for Bivol. But Dmitry once again proved that he is one of the elite fighters of the division. Maybe even the first among the elite. Why didn’t Gilberto succeed? He is too slow for Bivol. And too much inferior to him in fighting IQ.
Sanchez has no doubt that unified division champion Artur Beterbiev is a completely different fight for Bivol, a much bigger challenge. Not only is he an incredible puncher. He’s the kind of person who’s willing to take a hit to slap back. Beterbiev still does not have the same qualifications as Bivol. I have always said that Dmitry is like Golovkin. But only big and young. It won’t be an easy fight. And I’m even a little unhappy that I’ll bet against Bivol again. Although I have no doubt that he has the same talent that is seen in some of the exceptional European fighters.
In the meantime, we figured out who Bivol could fight after Ramirez: all the most likely opponents.