Russian boxer Grigory Drozd commented on Dmitry Bivol’s victory over Saul Alvarez, sharing his view of how the fight unfolded. Drozd suggested that Alvarez never landed a clean, game-changing shot on Bivol, challenging the official score that some observers felt tilted too heavily in favor of Alvarez. In Drozd’s eyes, a score like 117-111 would have felt more representative of the action, while 115-113 in favor of Bivol reflected a tight, competitive bout in which Bivol repeatedly withstood Alvarez’s late bursts and managed to control much of the distance and rhythm during the rounds. The conversation around the score highlighted how close the contest appeared to many observers watching the exchanges, the bodywork, and the subtler shifts in momentum that can determine the outcome of elite fights.
The bout, which ended after twelve rounds, saw Bivol retain his world title with a unanimous decision from the judges. The official scores—115-113, 115-113, 115-113—emphasized a hard-fought victory by the 31-year-old Russian challenger who stayed calm under pressure and used a disciplined, technique-driven approach to nullify some of Alvarez’s faster combinations. This win marked a significant achievement for Bivol in terms of defending his belt, and it positioned him prominently within the World Boxing Association rankings for the super champion category, reinforcing his status as one of the sport’s top light-heavyweight champions by the conclusion of the match.
Speaking from his perspective as the father of Dmitry Bivol, Yuri Bivol expressed a clear stance about any possible rematch with Alvarez. He indicated skepticism about Alvarez’s willingness to pursue a second encounter, suggesting that Alvarez is a shrewd opponent who would weigh the risks before committing to another big-money showdown. While the conversation around a potential rematch has persisted in boxing circles, Bivol Sr. conveyed confidence that Alvarez may not press for a second fight, emphasizing that Alvarez’s strategic approach to his own career could influence future decisions. The remarks from Bivol’s father contributed to the broader narrative surrounding the Alvarez-Bivol matchup, underscoring the strategic considerations that drive boxing careers at the highest levels and the expectations fans hold for what comes next in the light-heavyweight division.