WBA Light Heavyweight Champ Dmitry Bivol says it is easier for him to go down to the super middleweight division than to go up to cruiserweight.
I feel like I’m not dying when I do 175: Dmitry Bivol
The Russian is still looking to do important fights, and at 168 pounds, he would have better opportunities, which is why he would be willing to lose weight and be assured that he would have no problems.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Bivol commented that in his daily life, he walks around 190 pounds, so in a training camp, going down to 175 is not complicated given the limit of the light heavyweight division.
“I think it’s easier for me to move down to 168 than it is to move up [to cruiserweight] for me,” said Bivol.
Even After making weight at 175, Bivol claimed that he only rehydrates up by 10 pounds maximum for fights.
“In my fights, my weight is 185-pound maximum,” Bivol went on. “In normal life, my weight is around 190-pounds and to make 175, it’s easy. I’m just starting my training camp and my weight goes down.”
Thus, the Russian champion only has to lose 15 pounds to make weight for light heavyweight, but insists that he can make some more effort and lose another seven pounds to reach the super middleweight limit of 168, referring to how fighters at welterweight lose even more to make weight.
“I know a lot of fighters that are fighting at 147 and they’re losing more weight than me,” Bivol added. “I feel like I’m not dying when I do 175. I feel like I can cut more but I don’t want to do it. I remember doing this during my amateurs. I was thinking only about food and drink. I didn’t think about my fight.”
Since there was talk of the possibility of a rematch with Canelo Álvarez, Bivol insisted that he wanted it for the Mexican’s undisputed title at 168 pounds. And if the Canelo rematch is not done, there are potential options like David Benavidez, David Morrell, Caleb Plant or Jaime Munguía, and Bivol will be ready to go down to the division.
“Of course, if there’s a big reason to be at 168 and if there’s a belt there, I will push myself,” he concluded. “I will do 168, but for a good reason.” [H/T Ring News 24]