Will Dmitrii Bivol Finally Get His Respect?

Back in May of 2022, WBA World light heavyweight champion Dmitrii Bivol was “Fighter of the Year,” defeating unified Super Middleweight champion Saul ”Canelo” Alvarez, 57-1-2, at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, by scores of 115-113.

In November, some six months later, Bivol defeated Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, 44-0, at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, by scores of 117-111 twice and 118-110. Ramirez has since become the WBA and WBO Cruiserweight champion.

In December 2023, Bivol, in his only fight of the year, defeated IBO World Light heavyweight champion Lyndon Arthur, 23-1, of the UK, by scores of 120-107 at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In June 2024, Bivol stopped Malik Zinad, 22-0, of Libya and Malta in six rounds at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In October, Bivol lost a close majority decision to WBC, WBO, and IBF World Light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, 20-0, who went the distance for the first time after posting twenty straight stoppages. This writer thought Bivol won. This was at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 114-114.

In February 2025, Bivol fought Beterbiev in a rematch, winning a majority decision by the same scores he lost in their previous fight at the same location. This gave Beterbiev his first loss and allowed Bivol to become champion in the IBF, IBO, WBA Super World, WBC, and WBO organizations. Bivol improved his record to 24-1 with 12 stoppages.

The future could include a third match with Beterbiev, a match with unbeaten WBA World Light Heavyweight and WBC Interim champion David Benavidez, 30-0 with 24 stoppages, or even a rematch with Alvarez.

Will all of this finally give Bivol the respect he deserves?

“8-4, 7-5, Dmitry Bivol. He deserved to win the first time around. So, it’s unofficially Two nil,” said Matchroom promoter Frank Smith to Boxing King Media, reacting to Bivol’s win over Beterbiev. “It’s officially 1-1, but unofficially two nil.

“Two elite operators. Artur Beterbiev is a special fighter. The other fight out there is Canelo Alvarez,” said Smith when asked if he wants to see a trilogy match between Bivol and Beterbiev. “I’m not saying that’s the next fight. He’s got his own plans, but what a fight that is.”