“It’s Not Fair”: Dmitry Bivol Speaks Out on WBC Ban and Boxing’s Geopolitical Crisis

In an unexpected moment of unfiltered candor, Russian light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol unleashes a searing critique, not on an opponent, but on an entirely different adversary – the World Boxing Council (WBC). “It’s not fair,” he declares, his words echoing a sentiment that often lurks behind the curtain of sports politics but rarely dares to tread the main stage. This is not a tale of a boxer preparing for his next bout, nor is it a story of the anticipation leading up to a title defense.

Instead, it plunges us into the tumultuous world of geopolitical controversies. Such debates clash with the supposedly meritocratic sphere of professional sports. What’s more, it unveils the paradox of a world champion who’s forbidden to fight certain contenders, not due to any failure in the ring but to their nationality. Welcome to a ringside seat at a fight you didn’t expect.

Dmitry Bivol reflects on his career and defending titles against Canelo

In the interview with Seconds Out, Dmitry Bivol shared insights into his career, the impact of his major fights, and his candid perspective on the recent geopolitical interferences in the sport.

Asked about the dramatic shift in his career after defending his titles against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, one of the sport’s most formidable pound-for-pound boxers, Bivol said, “Yeah ever of course many things changed around me. People look at me from different angles but I try to be the same you know because the person who was before Canelo here, that person made me. And I have to be the same guy. I’m really glad that I won that fight and I got, I won Ramirez and I got this award.”

Bivol speaks out against interference in boxing

The conversation took a more somber turn when the interviewer asked about Bivol’s views on how politics seemed to be interfering with his career and his potential unification fight with Artur Beterbiev. He responded with a strong criticism of the decision, stating, “Of course it’s not fair. Of course it’s not fair, how you could say that I am the champion of the world if somebody from some country couldn’t fight for your belt but this guy could be better than you.”

He continued, “It’s not fair and this guy just training just spending his time in the gym and he’s not allowed to fight. He’s the same like you he’s just living in a different apartment, in different place but he’s working the same like you. He’s training he’s fighting his mental is similar like you. But why he’s he’s not allowed to fight? It’s not fair.” These powerful words from Bivol bring to light the complex interplay of sports and politics, and raise profound questions about the notion of fairness in the world of professional boxing.

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Yet amidst these controversies, the potential rematch with Canelo lingers on the horizon. Will this rematch offer Bivol another chance to prove his prowess in the ring, unhampered by politics? And will the fans see another thrilling match between two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world?

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