The boxing world was left disappointed when news broke that an injury to Artur Beterbiev meant his undisputed bout with Dimitry Bivol this weekend had been postponed and now Bivol himself has revealed how he found out about the news.
Libya’s Malik Zinad (22-0) steps up to the plate in place of Beterbiev and is a huge underdog but has boxing in his blood as his father was also a professional fighter. Bivol is coming off the back of nine straight unanimous decision wins and Zinad has shown before he is not afraid to come forward and take shots to land shots so it could be an entertaining battle.
Speaking to Boxing Social, Bivol was asked how important it is for him to stay active and not wait around for Beterbiev.
“Very important of course, even after the fight I will not take a long pause. But I don’t want to talk about what happens after the fight, I’m just focused on this one now.”
He then explained how and when he found out about the Beterbiev injury, which is a ruptured meniscus and as of yet has no timeframe on recovery.
“It was 3am and I was sleeping when I got the call. OK, the fight’s delayed, what are we going to do now cause I spent two months in training camp, do you have options for me? I went back to sleep and when I woke up I thought, ah, things happen like this, what can I do?”
He admitted then that he has no idea how long he might have to wait for Beterbiev.
“I don’t want to think about it, I don’t know, even when I had my injury I didn’t know how long I would be out so how can I know about his injuries? I’m not a doctor, you know.”
He was asked for a prediction as to how the fight would go this weekend.
“I don’t know how it will happen but I have to show my best and win this fight and prove again that I am the champion.”
Only a win will do to keep Bivol on track for a shot at the undisputed light heavyweight title as and when Beterbiev is fit.
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