January 23, 2023
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Dmitry Bivol is universally recognized as one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters.
But if you ask the WBA light heavyweight beltholder, he believes the title for the best boxer in the world belongs to Terence “Bud” Crawford.
Bivol was awarded the 2022 Fighter of the Year honors after beating Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez. But the Russian couldn’t carry the momentum into 2023, and Bivol only fought once, a Dec. 23 unanimous decision against Lyndon Arthur.
Bivol spent the first half of the year chasing a rematch with Canelo Alvarez that never materialized. After Alvarez signed a three-fight deal with PBC, the likes of Crawford even emerged as potential opponents for the Mexican star.
Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) and Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) have both warmed up to the idea of a potential clash in recent months.
A meeting would require the 147-pound Crawford to climb up three weight classes to challenge Alvarez.
Bivol doesn’t deem Crawford’s intent to be too farfetched.
“When I stepped into a boxing gym, the first rule was to respect weight classes. But I don't know what [Crawford is] going to eat,” Bivol told BoxingScene.com in an interview. “He's the best fighter. If he's thinking about it, if he's talking about it, it means it's possible.”
Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs), meanwhile, is fully focused on getting the chance to become the undisputed champion at 175 pounds after dropping and dominating Arthur.
All signs are pointing for the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia to finance Bivol’s next fight against the winner of the Jan. 13 bout between WBC, WBO, and IBF champion Artur Beterviev and Callum Smith.
Comments