Having successfully defended the title of “super champion” of the WBA world in a fight against the Mexican Gilberto Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), Russian Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) held
conversation with Michelle Jo Phelps.
In an interview, Dmitry commented on the last fight, answered a question about a possible heavyweight fight (over 90.7 kg), allowed the possibility of a heavyweight fight (up to 90.7 kg) against the former absolute champion of this division, and now the unified heavyweight champion Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs).
- Boxer of the year. Bivol defeated Ramirez — vRING report
Dmitry, congratulations. How do you feel now?
– Good. I feel great. I defeated a good fighter. I beat him. I am pleased to.
– As for me, you won every round, no?
No, I don’t feel like I won every round. I tried to give him a few rounds to take away his energy.
“Before the fight, given his advantage in height and reach, he was known for his strength. How would you rate its strength?
“He’s strong, but that’s not his main thing. He has a good body shot. That’s what he does well, and he’s not the kind of fighter who only throws one power punch. He throws combinations of three or four hits. Sometimes it’s difficult.
- Will Bivol go down to Canelo for a rematch and then fight Beterbiev? Hearn’s spread
It looked like you made it easy. But don’t you think so?
– You know, when you watch a ballet, it seems that it’s easy.
— [смеётся]
But frankly, it wasn’t easy. If you are really good at something, then it looks easy from the outside, and I try to be better. I make it look easy, but it’s not.
– Of course, the title of absolute champion is in your field of vision. Let’s assume this fight isn’t happening anytime soon, but you need to stay active. It looks like Beterbiev will fight Yard sometime in February or March. Will you stay active and fight Buatsy or Callum Smith, or will you wait in an attempt to organize a fight for the title of the undisputed champion?
– If everything depended on me, then I would try to fight for other belts. But we know it’s not up to me. I just get an offer to which I can say “yes” or “no”. Of course, I always have a goal to become the absolute champion, to be the best fighter in the world, but I can’t just say – give me this fight. I know how it works.
– Politics.
– Politics, yes. Of course, I don’t want to just wait for someone. If I can’t get the fight I want, then of course I’ll take another fight to keep fit.
- Dmitry Bivol: “I’m in seventh heaven now”
You said belts. You and I talked about the possibility of fighting in the 76 kg category.
– No, I’m talking about 79 kg.
– And if you can’t get a fight at 79 kg, will you go down to 76 kg?
I already said we can talk about it. It’s also good. I am also open to this option.
Will heavyweights ever be too much for you in the future?
— [задумался]
— [смеётся]
– I’m not a heavyweight. There’s also a cruiserweight between light heavyweights and heavyweights, remember? [смеётся] This is too big a jump.
“The reason I asked that was because Joshua and Andy Ruiz were in the audience. I just…
“You want me to fight Anthony Joshua? [смеются]
– You know what, Oleksandr Usyk says he is thinking about returning to cruiserweight. Maybe sometime?
– Maybe sometime. Who knows? I do not know, maybe. Maybe I’ll gain more weight and feel great. Why not?
- Bivol after beating Ramirez: “I want to become the absolute champion”
– And finally, what are you planning to do? How are you planning to celebrate?
“Honestly, I want to take the test now and go home and take a shower.
— [смеётся]
But I don’t want to go to the bathroom right now. I need to wait.
— [смеётся]
– This is a big problem for me. Maybe I’ll spend more time here, and then I’ll come home and sleep. Maybe we can have some fun and eat.
— And how do you have fun?
I drink alcohol, cocaine, heroin, everything.
– What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
– I’m kidding [смеются].
“I mean, you can technically afford a drink now.
— Of course, sometimes I can drink wine, but I don’t drink much because it’s not good for me and to be honest, I don’t feel fun when I’m drunk. As for food, yes. I enjoy people more and I enjoy it without alcohol.