Former WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has said he is not just focused on Artur Beterbiev’s belts. He wants revenge.
Beterbiev won a high-level clash between the world’s leading 175-pounders by narrow margins in Saudi Arabia in October, with Bivol’s team believing they had done enough to win.
“This is a good chance for me, I know people liked the first fight and they want to see the second fight and I want to be the winner of this fight,” said Bivol at today’s London press conference ahead of the February 22 rematch back in Saudi Arabia. “Before, I so wanted to have the belts and nothing else but today I want not only the belts, I want revenge. I want to avenge what I did before. Not only belts. It’s not only about belts now.”
Bivol, when asked what he needs to do differently to secure victory, said he felt he needed to make some small changes, that he had added a new coach and that he was working on himself.
“I want to be perfect and I’m trying to be,” said Bivol.
Vadim Kornilov, Bivol’s manager, was one of those who felt his man had done enough for victory last October.
“It was a very close fight and nothing to take away from Artur Beterbviev. He did a really good job, there’s no doubt the fight was close. I was more upset about one of the decisions, one of the judges seemed to be completely off and that was more upsetting. It doesn’t matter what the judges did on October 12, because now is the opportunity for every boxer to make a point and prove that they’re the undisputed champion in the light heavyweight division.”
Beterbiev, 21-0 (20 KOs), promoted by Top Rank, said he was looking forward to the return.
“It’s a good feeling. My goal is now to keep my belts,” said the four-belt champion. “I will do my best with that.”
Brad Jacobs, of Top Rank, said his fighter would remain “undefeated and undisputed.”
“My message is be ready. That’s it. Nothing more,” said Beterbiev.
Asked if he had a message for Beterbiev, Bivol – 23-1 (12 KOs) – said: “I don’t have any messages. I’m not a postman. I’m an athlete.”
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