‘I don’t feel like I am king’: Bivol preaches humility after shocking Canelo

Bivol retained his WBA world light‑heavyweight title as he proved he was too big, too strong and too composed for Álvarez, who had moved up from the super-middleweights where he had established himself as that division’s first undisputed champion in history.It was unsettling to imagine how Putin, a combat sports fan, might try to distort Bivol’s impressive victory into a glorious Russian triumph amid the carnage of war in Ukraine. Yet, Bivol remained admirably restrained.

Did Bivol use these apparent slights as additional motivation? He shook his head. “I understand. I walked [first] because Canelo is the biggest name and all the rules are for him. No problem. Just give me the fight. His name was first on the poster, too. No problem. Just give me the fight. I know how people love Canelo, and it’s normal. He’s really the biggest fighter in the world. He’s a champion in four weight classes. Of course all people are on his side.

Bivol conceded that war in Ukraine saddened him but he avoided criticising Putin by claiming that, as a sportsman, he was not qualified to comment on political issues. Such a circumspect attitude is understandable – especially as his parents, his wife and his children remain in St Petersburg. Bivol spends around 70% of the year with them.

Bivol needed to be serious and concentrated in the ring because he praised Canelo as a great champion. “I felt his power. He has really good speed, good power,” he said before pointing out that Canelo is smaller than most light-heavyweights.Canelo had accepted the verdict in the ring but later he claimed to have won the bout. It was a typical reaction from a proud Mexican fighter – as was his insistence that he will instigate the rematch clause. Bivol’s response was more endearing.

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