LIVE THREAD: Dmitry Bivol vs Gilberto Ramirez, plus full undercard (DAZN)

Bivol would cement his legacy beating Canelo at 168. I don't like Canelo because of his antics but he deserves credit for challenging himself moving up to 175 taking on Bivol in the first place. I think Canelo might be out though until after May, and I don't see him fighting in the US because the last time out against Canelo the US authorities withheld his purse because he is Russian.

This makes me think Matchroom would offer Bivol both Buatsi and Callum Smith next as opponents for April / May 2023. I personally would like to see Buatsi vs Callum Smith next as it would be a good British domestic fight. I think Smith is mandatory for Beterbiev's WBC Title though so he might not risk the mandatory position, but I think he'd be confident of beating Buatsi anyway.

 

I had Zurdo winning R10 and that was it, only because Bivol took the round off. Bivol is a special breed. His footwork in getting in, and especially out of range, is both exceptional and phenomenal.

Talk of fighting at 168 is crazy, I'm struggling to see where he loses the 7lbs required.

He deserves a good rest till Spring after defeating the prides of Mexico twice.

Zurdo v Callum Smith would be a very interesting fight. 50/50.

 

Bivol turned pro 8 years ago, he's fought at 175 his whole career, he's 31. Alvarez is Conor Benn before Conor Benn in terms of weight and muscle packing peds, he's the modern day king of them, him dropping back down to 168 won't affect him like it would affect Bivol, who has never had to go down to that weight before. It's a stupid idea, if you want to play with the big boys then fight them at their weight. I don't care if Bivol has said he'd do it it's a stupid idea and shouldn't be allowed to be entertained, weight divisions are there for a reason, don't mess with them to gain advantages, there is absolutely no reason for Bivol to be dropping 7lbs other than making it easier for Alvarez.

 

Bivol has the height to go to cruiser at least, he should aim at that once he cements his name as the light heavy king. But going down in weight makes no sense.

 

Not a chance that Bivol can move up to CW.

He is a career 175 fighter, his frame is too slim (solid though) to go up or down.

 

Overly simplistic rubbish. Bivol is much bigger than James Toney, whose small frame didn't stop him from winning a portion of the heavyweight title. And don't tell me that Toney is a larger man. He's about 6cm shorter and was narrow, a small bloke - he got fat.

If heavyweights can overcome such huge disparities in weights then why are lower weight divisions so pedantic when it comes to factors such as bone density? It's a viable point, and a small component of what needs to be accounted for, but it's not a disabler like you make it out.