When and why you started
boxing:
I was six years old when I started
boxing. When I was a kid, I really
liked watching Jackie Chan movies,
so I always wanted to do martial
arts.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Sugar Ray Leonard. He was a
unique fighter with his speed,
mobility, movement and artistry.
He had all the skills.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Muhammad Ali-George Foreman –
The Rumble in the Jungle.
Personal career highlight:
Winning the WBA light-
heavyweight title and showing the
world my fighting skills.
Toughest opponent:
Each of my opponents have had
their own strong points, but my
toughest so far has been Felix
Valera [w ud 12 – May 2016].
Best and worst attributes as a
boxer:
My main strengths are my
determination to win and, of
course, my boxing skills. I don’t
really want to talk about my
weaknesses.
Training tip:
My advice is to think about what
you’re doing. If you miss a punch,
you have to think about what you
can do differently next time to
make sure you don’t miss again.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
I really like meat, especially steak.
Best friends in boxing:
I have a best friend who used
to box, but now he’s involved in
business. We’ve been friends for
many years. There’s also Sergey
Kuzmin. I train with Sergey, and we
understand each other perfectly.
Other sportsman you would
like to be:
46 lBOXING NEWSlJANUARY 11, 2018 http://www.boxingnewsonline.netMaybe a hockey player.
Last film/TV show you saw:
The TV show,Friends. I watch it in
order to improve my English.
Who would play you in a film of
your life:
It’d be great if I was played by a
young Adriano Celentano.
Have you ever been starstruck:
Yes, by Floyd Mayweather. He’s
worked very hard to achieve great
things in his boxing career and in
his life.
Last time you cried:
I cried half an hour ago because
a strong wind blew into my eyes
when I was walking down the
street!
Best advice received:
Always think positively! Don’t have
negative thoughts. If you think
that you’re going to win, then you
definitely will.
Worst rumour about yourself:
There have been many rumours
about me, but they were harmless,
so I don’t see any point in talking
about them.
Something not many people
know about you:
I like to cook.DMITRY BIVOL
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Regd. at the Post Office as a newspaper | Published by Newsquest Specialist Media Ltd – a Gannett CompanyPaulWheeler talks to a man who was inspired by a martial arts legend
SIXTY SECONDS
FAST FACTSAge: 27 Twitter:@bivol_dNickname:n/aHeight:6ftNationality:
Kyrgyz-Russian From:Saint PetersburgStance:Orthodox Record:12-0 (10)
Division:Light-heavyweightTitles:WBANext fight: Bivol defends his WBA
light-heavyweight crown against mandatory challenger Sullivan Barrera in
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