Bivol Optimistic To Beat Canelo, But Not By KO

JAKARTA - Russian boxer Dmitry Bivol will face Mexican boxer Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez on May 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ahead of the fight, Bivol repeatedly said that he had the attributes and resources needed to raise his fists for victory over Alvarez.

Only, he admitted that it wouldn't happen via knockout because thinking about it as a strategy would lead to disaster.

"I didn't think about finishing the fight by knockout. If you think about it, you forget your combinations, your game plan. You just have to fight in the ring as you prepare in training," he was quoted as saying by Marca, Monday.

Responding to comments about how complicated his last fight against Umar Salamov gave him the image of a 'tired champion', Bivol stressed that he would be coming to Las Vegas in one of the best moments of his career.

"Some people think the fight didn't go the way I wanted it to, and an opponent like that wasn't what I wanted. But I need to get this fight.

"I will be in my best physical condition and ready to perform at the highest level against Canelo on 7 May."

The universal light heavyweight champion admits he's not a favorite among the fans, but measuring himself up against opponents coming from lower divisions gives him a huge advantage.

"I believe in my abilities. Every time I enter the ring I believe I can beat my opponent, why can't I beat him?"

"Of course, he has a lot of fans and he is more popular than me. A man and he fights with less weight than me. He has strength, but I also have strength.

"He has good skills, but mine is also good," he insisted.

However, in fact, in the latest video shared on social networks, Alvarez has increased his muscle mass and has an impressive physique. This is what Bivol must anticipate.