“Out of ten points, I worked for a maximum of seven”: Bivol about the victory over Ramirez, the fight with Beterbiev and relations with Mashyanov

- Many expected that the fight with Gilberto Ramirez would be more difficult than with Saul Alvarez.

Do you feel that your predictions came true?

— I would not say that the fight was more difficult.

He just turned out different.

Probably less nervous.

But I, in principle, expected this.

- On the eve of the fight, some experts suggested that you would find yourself in the same situation as Alvarez in the battle with you: Ramirez, who is superior in anthropometry, will skillfully use this advantage.

Why did you excel against a bigger opponent and Canelo not?

- It is hard to say.

We have been working to level out Gilberto's strengths.

We prepared our combinations and roughly understood how to act in the ring.

The same thing happened before the fight with Alvarez.

We thought about how to stop him.

As a result, our choice of tactics turned out to be correct, both in the first battle and in the second.

- A year ago, you met with Umar Salamov, who resembles Ramirez in terms of anthropometry.

As it seemed, then you did not experience any problems.

Which fight turned out to be more difficult for you?

- When I call a plumber to my house to fix a tap or give it to repair tires, I also look and wonder how easily and quickly everything works out for the masters.

The thought creeps in: it's so simple, for sure, and I can handle it myself.

In the end, I try, but nothing works for me.

It looks like this because these people are professionals.

Before that, they worked hard, gained knowledge, studied all the nuances.

That's why their work looks so easy.

Although in fact it is quite complicated.

This is an analogy with my duel.

I had difficulties, they are simply invisible to the viewer.

In the ring, you experience a lot of tension, because you are constantly in focus and you need to control the fight.

If we compare Salamov and Ramirez, these are fighters of about the same level.

Both are tall.

In terms of speed, Umar even surpasses Gilberto.

He does not give out such combinations as the Mexican, but his punches are harder in places.

- Would you include the battle with Ramirez in the top three most difficult in your career?

— Yes, in the top three most important and interesting battles.

I had certain difficulties in preparation, because I understood: he won 44 fights and never lost.

It is worth a lot and, of course, gives self-confidence.

I don’t know if there will ever be so many fights in my career.

So Ramirez is a very important opponent for me.

- What fights would you put higher?

- With the same Alvarez, because he turned out to be tense for me, and I tried to keep my concentration as much as possible.

Also confrontation with Sullivan Barrera.

I had a cut, a hematoma.

I was very worried that they might remove me.

- I got the impression that you won the fights with Alvarez and Ramirez approximately with an equal score - 9:3 in rounds.

But if with Gilberto the judges voiced a similar point of view, then with Canelo everything was much closer.

Did it surprise you then?

- It was to be expected that in the case of Saul, any draw or approximately equal round would go to him.

Judges are people too, they have their preferences.

And when a star of such a magnitude as Alvarez is boxing, they want to give him the victory.

This is a subjective decision, and at this point it is hard to remain impartial.

Therefore, it turned out like this, but the main thing is that I won.

- When you heard the assessment of the first judge in the fight with Canelo, didn’t the thought fly through your head: “Now they will do the same to me as they did to Golovkin”?

- Of course, I did not compare myself with Gennady.

But the thought that the fight would be given to Canelo flashed by.

Although these doubts lasted a split second.

• Bivol about the fight with Ramirez

- The decisions of the judges in the first two fights between Alvarez and Golovkin caused serious controversy.

In your opinion, were there any questions about the third?

To be honest, I haven't watched it yet.

At this time, preparations were already underway for my duel.

During this period I do not like to watch strangers.

It interferes.

You need to accumulate strength, and if you watch your opponents, you will be emotionally wasted, which is not very good.

And after the meeting with Ramirez, there was no time yet.

If there is a rematch with Alvarez, I will definitely look.

- At one point, it seemed that Gennady not only did not know what to do with Saul, but was also not ready to do anything for the sake of victory.

Didn't you have the feeling that at some point the same thing happened to Ramirez during your fight?

- In the debut, Ramirez looked quite confident in himself.

But after one missed blow, he began to behave in a completely different way.

I felt it.

And then, after the third or fourth rounds, I already realized that I was in control of the fight.

And he knew it too, it was hard for him.

— Did you have short segments in the course of any battles when you felt that you were letting go of the situation?

“Honestly, there have been no such cases for a long time.

Probably the last time this happened was when he played at the amateur level.

But he did not find himself in such a situation as Ramirez.

What did you do at such moments?

“It's emotionally very difficult.

Because there are opponents who really impose their distance and pace on you.

At some point, you may not have enough endurance or sharpness in your legs, and you realize that you have given up positions, you are missing the distance.

Then you try to concentrate even more and control everything.

Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

But in general, I can’t say that in some battle I just took and let go of the situation, they say, eat me mosquitoes and flies.

Always fought to the end, tried.

And in the performance of Ramirez, I just didn’t feel it, to be honest.

• Dmitry Bivol and Gennady Mashyanov

• © World of Boxing

- There are legends about your tandem with Gennady Mashyanov.

You have been working for 11 years.

It is very rare when a mentor and a mentee not only continue to cooperate for so long, but the athlete continues to constantly progress.

How do you do it?

- It's just that Gennady Yuryevich does not belong to those specialists who have one memorized scheme and they work according to it, they prepare everyone according to the template.

As a result, an athlete, both at 16 and at 25, trains the same way.

It's different with him.

Our amateur classes are radically different now.

In addition, he has a lot of knowledge, so he knows how to dose the load.

In addition to age, he focuses on my current state, and, depending on this, corrects training.

I think that's why we're making progress.

- Tell me more.

- He does not have a set of exercises that must be performed in training.

He keeps the plan in mind, but moves away from it in the course of the lesson.

Sometimes I ask him: “Gennady Yuryevich, how many rounds will we spar tomorrow?”

He looks at me and says: “I haven’t decided yet.”

I approach him with the same question the next day - at breakfast or before exercising.

He looks at me carefully, but still does not answer.

I didn't understand why he was silent.

And now I realize: he wants to understand my condition.

Let's say he plans to arrange sparring for 10 rounds, but after breakfast or exercises I have such a state that the coach understands: now so much is not needed at the moment - eight is enough or, on the contrary, it is worth adding and working out 12 more. Gennady Yuryevich is the person who knows how to read you.

He works not on a piece of paper, but according to your opinion.

He says so: "I will see everything in your eyes."

I think this is one of the reasons.

The tandem is also strong because he knows how to listen to me.

We can communicate with him on any topic as friends, father and son, grandson and grandfather.

It is very interesting and easy to work with him.

When necessary, he will give valuable advice or, conversely, joke, make fun.

- That is, communication between you proceeds at a higher level than is usually the case with a coach and an athlete?

- Yes.

But it's hard for me to describe it.

This is my close senior friend, friend, father and mentor.

All in one person.

• Bivol about Mashyanov

- You once said that he makes excellent borscht.

Why did Gennady Yurievich start cooking?

- When we first arrived in the United States in 2014, we lived together in the same apartment and cooked for ourselves: me, Sergey Kuzmin, Gennady Yuryevich.

Borscht is my favorite dish.

I can eat it for weeks.

And then one day the coach made it, and I really liked it.

In general, he loves to cook.

Usually makes several dishes at once.

As I understand it, this is his outlet.

Gennady Yuryevich is a man who traveled to many countries in his life, traveled the world with the USSR national team.

And when the guys and I want to go somewhere for a walk, to see something, he is no longer interested.

It can be seen in the eyes.

He prefers to stay at home.

But what to do alone?

He reads the news, communicates with his family and cooks.

- Usually, during a fight, Mashyanov gives you advice on technique and tactics, but after one of the rounds in the fight with Ramirez, he said: “Two rounds are not ours,” although then you took several segments in a row.

Was this done to keep you from getting too relaxed?

“I think he wanted the rounds to be won cleaner.

Perhaps the coach had some information.

Because a lot of things reach the seconds at the ring, even during the fight.

For example, one of the judges gave the wrong round, and he found out.

His words cheered me up a little.

I got even more focused.

- Mashyanov said that the fight with Ramirez was one of the best in your career for you.

Do you agree?

- I don’t know, I got the impression that out of ten points I worked for a maximum of seven.

There were still forces, it would be possible to take a risk somewhere, to win even more confidently.

Maybe I'm too self-critical, but it feels like it's not the best fight.

- Were there fights for ten points?

- No never.

Which one would you give yourself the highest rating for?

“Maybe with Trent Broadhurst.

When I knocked him out in the first round

.

In fact, I like fights with Felix Valera, with the same Barrera and Samuel Clarkson.

- Your duel with Alvarez stands apart, where the vast majority of fans in the hall were rooting against.

How did they deal with it?

- I was originally tuned in to this.

It is difficult and scary what you do not expect.

And when you're ready, it gets easier.

This situation even motivated me at some point.

Although, I confess, there was a struggle with myself.

A little man was sitting inside, who, as it were, said: “No one is betting on you, you don’t have to strain.”

And I tried to muffle it, to convince myself: “Not an option, I didn’t come here to lose to a person who is less than me in boxing.

I started training earlier, I have a huge number of amateur fights.

I am the champion in this weight.

Why should I give in?

And in general it's great that so many people gathered.

Yes, the whole room was against me, but I imagined that they supported me.

And when I won, they really applauded me.

It was very nice.

So you were trying to fool yourself?

- Not really.

I just go to the ring, I hear this roar of the crowd and I understand: people have gathered to look at me and another person.

It doesn't matter who they root for.

Spectators bought tickets, they came, they want to see boxing.

And we will show it to them now.

- Did you manage to recharge from the gym?

- Undoubtedly.

A lot of people gathered for the fight.

The energy was very strong.

From it you can burn out, or vice versa, flare up and shine.

I got the second one.

Were there other fights similar in intensity?

- Not.

There was increased attention to this fight from all sides: fans, journalists.

I had to give 20 interviews in one and a half to two hours.

And so for several days in a row.

Communicated by phone, on camera, one on one, or with several publications at once.

Already having this experience, before the fight with Ramirez I felt much better, it was easier.

Because the first time I gave a lot of energy.

And also realized what a tough fighter Canelo is because he goes through this before every show.

This is really great work.

- Do you feel comfortable when you are riveted so much attention?

- Of course, it's nice that people recognize me.

It is interesting to talk to journalists.

But if it is not in a row the same questions and answers to different publications.

You get tired of this. 

- Now the most discussed are your possible fights with Artur Beterbiev and Saul Alvarez.

Where would you like to meet them?

— In Abu Dhabi.

I liked it there very much.

- But, probably, many would like to see your fight with Beterbiev in Moscow?

- It would be nice, but taking into account all the realities, today I don’t see the opportunity to hold it in the capital.

- Because you can't defend belts in Russia?

- Yes unfortunately.

That's why.

— Head

- I boxed in different places both at the amateur level and at the professional level: in England, America.

Saul and I met in Vegas, and it's like fighting in Mexico.

Therefore, of course, there are some wishes, but geographically it is not so important where the fight will take place.

For me, the main thing is the opponent, the date and conditions of the fight.

These are the three fundamental factors influencing the choice.

- Are you currently considering other options, in addition to fights with Beterbiev and Alvarez?

To be honest, I don't see any other options yet.

But here it is not my desire that matters, but what is interesting to promoters and viewers.

I am ready to box with anyone.

Although, of course, for me the priority is to fight for the title, to gather as many people as possible in the stands.

And I ask my manager, if possible, to organize just such fights.

And then everything depends on the promoter, what funds he can attract, with what opponents he can negotiate.

The choice is made on that basis.

Although in most cases there are not even two options.

There is simply an opponent and the question is whether I am ready to face him or not.

Does it mean that there is no choice at all?

- Of course, you ask him to provide.

But usually another opponent may appear only after a couple of months.

You understand: a tit in the hands is better than a crane in the sky - and you agree.

I had many cases when I wanted to enter the ring with one, and they tell me: he is sick, he cannot, or he is ready only in three months, and now there is another.

For example, this was before the battle with Craig Richards.

And you accept the offer because you have to fight.

- After the fight with Alvarez, information appeared in the media that he had a clause in the contract about an immediate revenge.

- Yes, but he has his own deadlines, and they have passed.

Saul no longer has the right to demand anything.

- In one of the interviews, Mashyanov actually stated that now there are two equal boxers in the light heavyweight class - you and Arthur, Ramirez takes third place, and then everyone else goes.

In particular, English athletes, whom your coach called "puffy".

Do you also not consider Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsy to be top rivals?

- Yard is not very impressive, and Buatsi is a good experienced boxer, grated kalach.

But I can not say that he is very surprised.

Joshua has many strengths and weaknesses.

I would not call him the same size as Ramirez.

- In 2019, Yard lost by knockout to Sergey Kovalev, but in January 2022 he may meet with Beterbiev.

Has he made that much progress over the years?

- I watched only one of his fights - with Kovalev.

And now I myself do not fully understand why I did not follow him.

Apparently, due to the lack of elite rivals.

Now it's hard for me to say how good it is.

In that battle, the Briton did not show anything special.

At the same time, Sergei, as it seemed to me, was not in the best shape then.

And yet, he won by knockout.

-

- With Saul, we also agreed for a long time, three or four years.

The stumbling block is usually cooperation with different promotional companies.

This is the main difficulty.

We have the same situation with Arthur.

Were there any contacts at all?

— I can't say anything about Arthur's team.

As for my manager, he spoke with Top Rank representatives and each time he received the answer: “We have enough fighters with whom we want to arrange a meeting for Beterbiev.”

They have their own vision regarding the promotion of the boxer.

But some time ago their position was justified.

Former WBO belt holder Joe Smith Jr. also fought under their auspices, and it was easy enough to arrange a unification fight.

At least that's how I see the situation.

- It seems that the real desire to organize this duel among the representatives of Arthur appeared only after your victory over Saul.

And before that, they have repeatedly stated that such a fight would be of no interest to the general public.

Yes, there were such conversations.

But I think Top Rank will change their mind.

Perhaps after the next fight or after one, because the belts in any case must be combined.

But this is my opinion, and promoters look at the situation differently, rely on numbers.

Again, if you organize the fight Bivol - Beterbiev, where should it take place, on which channel?

It's complicated.

But I hope it will still happen, and they will agree.

• Bivol about the fight with Beterbiev

- If we talk about popularity, in the upcoming computer game

- Perhaps the fact is that my manager had contacts with the developers of this game, but his representatives did not

.

Or maybe he is not allowed to take part in such projects under the contract.

— How did the offer to add you to the game's roster come about?

— I was told that the guys are making a game.

There are already many fighters in it and they also want to see me there.

They asked if they wanted to.

I thought why not.

I was just on my way to England on business.

Might as well jump on them.

In the end, everything was done there.

- How does the day of Dmitry Bivol go when he does not need to prepare for fights and train?

Like all normal people.

I love spending time with friends, children, family.

Play football or paintball, go to the cinema, go out of town, ride ATVs.

- Do you follow football?

- I rarely watch matches - only the brightest ones, like Italy - France, and in the company of friends to have a good time.

I don't do this alone.

I follow football only during the European and World Championships.

And then, if I make a small bet for interest.

So you don't have any special sympathy for anyone?

- Especially not.

I don't even know the players.

Only the most famous ones who have gone beyond football.

— Your son plays hockey.

Why did I go in a completely different way, different from you?

- I have an individual sport, and I wanted to have something more team in my life.

This is interesting, because the team has completely different psychology and relationships.

At our trainings, everyone is very friendly and benevolent, always ready to help each other.

And in hockey inside, it turns out, there is more rivalry than in boxing.

Even though they seem to be the same team.

For me, it was surprising at first.

Then I realized why this is happening.

But that's another story.

- But why hockey, and not volleyball or basketball?

“It’s a cool, masculine sport.

Athletes make good money.

And most importantly, it is developed in Russia.

And if you give away a child, you understand that he can achieve a lot.

And I want my son to be the best not only in our country.

In the end, he liked it, he does it.

- For hockey players, one of the main goals is to win the Olympic Games.

Is there any regret that this award is not in your piggy bank?

- Of course, there was a huge dream to win the gold of the Games.

But at that time I understood all the pros and cons.

And I don't regret my choice.

I am glad that Gennady Yuryevich helped, and we made the right decision, went a little away from that dream and a new one appeared.

Everything was done in a timely manner.

So you can't wait a couple more years?

— Никто не знает, как бы всё повернулось. В профессиональном боксе события развиваются стремительно. Сегодня у тебя есть предложение провести бой, а через неделю его уже не будет. Тут же мы говорим про полтора года. Проделанный путь — это огромная менеджерская работа. Чтобы я добрался до нынешних высот, мне было нужно провести те схватки. В частности, с Феликсом Валерой в 2016-м, когда он являлся временным чемпионом WBA. За счёт этого титула я получал других оппонентов. Если бы ждал полтора года до Олимпиады, не знаю, как сложилась бы карьера в профессионалах. Поэтому рад, что всё так получилось.

— На любительском уровне бокс находится в непростой ситуации. Его хотят убрать из программы Олимпиады. Как думаете, как это скажется на его развитии в мире и нашей стране?

“Of course it's bad.

I am a boxing fan and I want it to be everywhere.

And at the Olympic Games, of course, since this is one of the oldest sports.

And I will grieve if it is removed.

I'm for boxing!