Dmitry Bivol has completed a great year in dominating fashion Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.
The light heavyweight champion, after being frustrated with Canelo Alvarez, dominated the previously undefeated and much larger Gilberto Ramirez to a decisive one-way win at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The official scores are 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111. Boxing Junkie also scored it 117-111, nine innings.
Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) made a strong start, battling the talented Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) on near-even terms over four rounds. Then, when the more talented Russian found his chance, he toyed with Ramirez and pulled out a scorecard.
Overall, Ramirez is not as aggressive as expected, which allows the faster Bivol to deliver sharp punches from a distance. And when the Mexican picked up his pace, he encountered some of the champion’s toughest shots.
A bigger problem is that he can’t penetrate Bivol’s impeccable defence. Ramirez simply couldn’t deliver punches consistently, which left him with no chance to win the skirmish.
He never gave up. He fought with great urgency towards the end of the game, when it was clear he needed a knockout to win. Even then, however, the dominant challenger never came close to turning the tide for the reasons outlined above.
So Bivol has kept his WBA belt by such a wide margin and put himself in the Warrior of the Year conversation for 2022.
Next year could also be big.
Bivol reiterated after the match that he wants to face triple belt and compatriot Artur Beterbiev for the next undisputed title, although that may have to wait until Beterbiev defends Anthony Yarde.
Bivol’s immediate consolation prize may have been the most lucrative match of his career: a rematch against Alvarez, whom he defeated 115-113, 115-113 and 115-113 in September. 5 past to climb the pound-for-pound list.
Yes, Bivol is flying as high as anyone at the moment.
