Dmitry Bivol: I have to fight the best in the division and prove I’m the best

Rising Russian star Dmitry Bivol racked up another stoppage victory on Saturday, and he believes he can become the best in the light-heavyweight division. The 27-year-old moves to 13-0 with 11 knockouts after picking apart Cuban fighter Sullivan Barrera.

Speaking to BoxNation, the Russian said:

”I’ve got the goods to be the best light-heavyweight in the world, but I’ve got a lot of work to do to be the best in the division. I have to fight the best in the division and prove I’m the best.”

”You can be the best only when you fight the best. I’m not going to attack anybody. I have a belt, whoever wants it can come and get it.”

While he didn’t specifically mention Sergey Kovalev after Saturday’s win, many boxing fans are hoping that Bivol could face his fellow countryman at some point in 2018.

And Kovalev, after defending his WBO belt with a stoppage victory over Igor Mikhalkin on Saturday, seems keen on the idea.

”To make a fight against Bivol, no problem. I don’t feel any problem [making fights] with any fighters,” Kovalev said in his post-fight press conference.