Dmitry Bivol amateur career

Does anyone know what the story is with Bivol’s amateur career? Part of the reason why I underestimated Bivol is because of his insignificant amateur career.

The most prestigious result he recorded was a bronze medal at the youth world championships. He also won a couple of Russian national championships before turning pro. I remember the HBO commentators talking about his 268 win amateur career as if it was something special, even though Bivol had very little international experience and there isn’t a recognizable opponent in his victory column. I even hear fans talk about his amateur experience as an achievement, while completely ignoring the fact he didn’t get anywhere near world championships or Olympics.

Maybe someone who is Russian or is familiar with Bivol can shed some light on his amateur career? He’s obviously well schooled in boxing fundamentals, but why no serious opposition or tournaments as an amateur? Was he avoiding someone? Was he always focusing on the pro game?

 

Thanks for the response. I don’t put much stock in junior world championship victories because those boxers rarely continue with their success (usually they just have more development than their opponents at that stage and hit their ceiling earlier). That’s something at least.
So he didn’t think he could compete against the light heavies in Russia, turned pro instead?

 

Any footage of any of these fights?

 

That’s an idiotic reason to turn pro, if you’re motivated by money at that stage you’re almost certainly not going to make it as a pro. Eastern Euro amateurs are looked after financially and most people don’t want to move away from home.