WBA Super light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is seeking major opponents who will elevate him to the next level.
Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) has already proved himself as an excellent world champion at 175lbs with clearcut victories over Joe Smith Jr and Jean Pascal gaining more gloss given their recent form.
Now the Russian wants to lift his standing in the fight game with even bigger fish in mind. A unification with WBC and IBF champion, and fellow countryman, Artur Beterbiev is currently the best fight to be made at 175lbs and a prospect Bivol relishes.
“[It’s] one of the bigger fights where two top Russian world champions would decide who is the best,” Bivol told Sky Sports.
“My goal is to unify all of the world titles in the light-heavyweight division. I am hoping that fights with Beterbiev and the future WBO champion [the title is currently vacant] will materialise in the next couple of years as well. I am also interested in fighting the top boxers in my division as well as in the 168lbs weight class including Marcus Browne, Badou Jack, David Benavidez and others.
“Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is one of the options that has been brought up to us and I would be interested in the fight. There are many other options that are not less meaningful to me than fighting Canelo.”
Tonight, rising 175lbs star Joshua Buatsi will face Croatian’s unbeaten Marko Calic in Milton Keynes and Bivol says he would have no problem coming to the UK to face the Croydon man.
“Good boxer, if it made sense and the fans want to see this fight, I am always open to fighting anybody,” added Bivol.