Dmitry Bivol scored the biggest victory of his career by far on Saturday, defeating Canello Alvarez by decision in Las Vegas to remain undefeated and retain his WBA light heavyweight title.
Buffalo (20-0, 11 KO) spoke at his post-match press conference, dismissing any thought that it was disrespectful to make him come in second, even though he is defending the title, and discussing Canello’s strength (57-2-2, 39 KO) as a light heavyweight category, plus much more.
Before the press officially went live, the microphones caught Eddie Hearn talking to Bivol and Vadim Kornilov at the table.
“There is nothing in his last two battles to show that he can do that,” Hearn said in an interview. “We know how good he was, you always believed in him. But to present yourself like that on this stage is very special. Because most fighters can’t do that when it matters. “
Buffalo noted: “If it weren’t for my last two fights, I wouldn’t have won this match. 100 percent. “
This is an interesting little look at a conversation that was not specifically for the media.
Anyway, to the things that were slightly edited just for clarity, as English is not Bivol’s first language (although it’s not hard to understand at all).
In what he felt was the key to victory
“I was focused on the whole battle. I saw him strike hard. He only struck hard. After (all) strong blows he was a little tired. Tired, tired. Canello is a good fighter as a counterattack, but I succeeded (he fights more aggressively) and today I was a counterattack. That was the key. “
About whether he was surprised at how “easy” it was
“I just felt like I won the battle. I do not know.”
To be criticized for not being funny before
“I did not like my last battles in battle. This was not a challenge for me. I just defended my title against some guys and they all bet on me. I liked this one and heard a lot of fans shouting. That motivates me today and I really enjoyed the battle. “
For the greatness of Canello, deriving his own greatness
“Of course, if my opponent is better, I will show my better side. … I didn’t expect it to be better. I expected that. I believed in myself, I believed I could win. I knew that there were strong blows and he would hit my body, my arm and throw the left hooks. I expected that and he did it. “
About the possible rematch
“My dream is to be the undisputed champion. I got this opportunity to fight against the best person and I accepted this battle in terms of getting the opportunity. This is all that interests me and I appreciate the opportunity that has been given to me. At the moment, my goal is to get what I deserve. If the rematch happens, I just have to make sure I get what I deserve, because I don’t think that even in previous fights as a champion I got what I deserved. “
About whether the battle felt different on the big stage
“It was, of course. I sat in my room all week. It was boring, you know? I can’t leave the room and I’m tired. And I saw how much attention this match attracted. “
Entering first, although he was a champion before the big entry of Canello
“Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me who comes in first or second. For me it does not matter. I just wanted this battle. … I just wanted to fight him. When he came to the ring and I heard the crowd, I really liked how they shouted. “
About whether he talked to Canello after that
“I just said he’s a really great champion, I respect him. He gave me a lot today, he gave me this battle and a lot of experience. “
About whether he thinks it should be P4P # 1
“It simply came to our notice then. I just beat a man who wanted my belt in my mind. He was a super middleweight. Yes, he had a belt (before) in the light heavyweight division, but today I don’t feel like the “king”. No, I just beat Canelo. I was better than him today. “
About what he can do differently in the rematch
“To be honest I do not know. I don’t know what I will eat today or what I will do tomorrow. “
About the outcome of the battle and the “needy” of the 12th round
I thought a little when I heard the results 115-113, I thought, “Maybe I lost today.” But I felt I won, you know? I expect this. Today was all against me. Even Eddie (Hearn), he greets me, smiles, rejoices for me, but not very happy for me, you know?
About whether he felt ignored in the light heavyweight division
“It is enough for me to have a belt. I know I’m one of the best, even if no one tells me. I don’t feel the best in the light heavyweight division; I don’t feel it because I don’t have all the belts. If I have all the belts, I will feel the best. But so far I’m one of the best. “
Included when he knew he was in control
“I could see his blows, what he wanted to do from the beginning.
About whether he felt disrespected as a champion
“I understand why I went second, because Canello is the biggest name. And the rules, all the rules are not for him. No problem, just give me the fight. He is the first on the posters, no problem. The rules, not for him. Just give me the fight. There is no problem for me. I’m really happy I had a battle. “
About whether he felt Canello’s power
“Yes, of course I felt his strength. He has really good strength. But you know, he has good speed, good strength, common sense – but some people are born with strength. I don’t have that kind of strength. I can strike a powerful blow if I want to do it, if I really want to put my strength into it, I can do it on purpose. Some other boxers have strength in every punch, they can just strike and it is already powerful. I didn’t realize that as a light heavyweight he had this type of strength from birth, where he just strikes and hurts. I had the feeling that he was just putting everything he could into every hit and trying to make it powerful. ”
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